DIY: Rear Hatch Handle Replacement - Nissan Murano

evjm · 07-23-2009, 10:02 AM

DISCLAIMER: My first time posting pics so hopefully this works. Also I did this project a few months ago so my memory may be a little rusty

I had two problems happening. The rear hatch handle wouldn't return to the home position due to rust on the spring. The lock mechanism wouldn't return to the proper position. I decided to replace the handle and lubricate the lock mechanism. A few months later and both are still working great!

First you will need a new handle, here is the part number:

Here is what the new handle looks like from the back:

You will have to remove the rear hatch lower trim piece. I didn't take any pics of that, sorry. From what I recall you need to take the hand grip piece out, then 4 or 5 push-pin type fasteners that are on the bottom of the hatch. Then you can remove the trim by starting at on of the upper corners and simply pulling it off. There are multiple clips across the piece.

evjm · 07-23-2009, 10:06 AM

Once you have the trim removed you will see the back of the handle is kind of behind the rear wiper motor mount.

There are only two nuts holding the handle in place. To get better access to them unclip the harness. Here is a pic of the harness off, the cable disconnected from the handle, and the two nuts removed.

Once you have the two nuts off you have to maneouver the plastic rectangular-shaped piece off. After the plastic piece is off you have remove the handle from the outside. Here is a pic of how rusted my handle was.

With the handle out give the whole are a good cleaning to avoid future rust. The installation is basically the reverse. I also added some liquid film to the handle. It is a lubricant that hardens a bit and protects the spring.

Also while you have the trim off it is a good time to change the license plate bulbs. Here is a pic of them from the inside.

You may also want to change the interior liftgate lights as well since they are exposed.

Good luck!

Stoker · 07-23-2009, 11:09 AM

Great Job, excellent post. It appears that Nova Scotia still is using lots of road salt to help clear the snow from the roads

Phatty McPatty · 07-23-2009, 12:53 PM

evjm,

Great DIY! I sent you a PM.

Patrick

g1teg · 08-18-2009, 07:58 AM

I think this may be in my near future. I was out a little while ago, and my door would not shut! just kept bouncing off the striker, never latching on. I took the panel off and managed to find the latch stuck... been reading the gen 1s have this problem a lot... Ill buy a latch and wait for mine to fail.

Thanks for the How-to!

**Eric L.** · 08-18-2009, 06:02 PM

GREAT DIY post. My rear hatch handle also has a weak spring and I have to manually push the handle back before I shut the trunk - quite annoying.

D2Krules · 10-05-2009, 10:49 AM

Awesome post! I need to replace all bulbs and lube the handle as well. Funny how 1 post can describe all my issues. Saved me a post.

Thanks again.

-D

evjm · 10-05-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by D2Krules
Awesome post! I need to replace all bulbs and lube the handle as well. Funny how 1 post can describe all my issues. Saved me a post.

Thanks again.

-D

Thank you, it's encouraging to see MO's like yours with so many miles!

D2Krules · 10-06-2009, 09:07 PM

I still love my Murano. I bought it brand spank'n new from the dealer.

**Gonzo** · 10-08-2009, 09:55 AM

I just picked up the new part today... weekend project to replace. Thanks for the posting.

Perhaps this should be a sticky.

D2Krules · 10-08-2009, 10:00 AM

Watch your fingers. The edge of the wiper motor plate is sharp. I wanted to clean and lube mine but I quickly discovered I need a new one.

ekaxel · 10-08-2009, 11:50 AM

I was never in that thread...

**Gonzo** · 10-10-2009, 09:55 PM

Great project.... took 30 minutes and now I've got my hatch back in order. Thanks. I figured I would add some photots to assist...

Here was my old handle and then of course the new one.

**Gonzo** · 10-10-2009, 09:57 PM

I thought this would help in determining where the attachment points where when pulling of the trim.

**Gonzo** · 10-10-2009, 09:59 PM

and finally I thought this would be helpful to see how the hand is attached to you can remove it.... those two points are also on the bottom and they just need be be slighly pryed away from the trim and pulled out.

Also the hatch interior lights should be pulled and the harness disconnected prior to removing the trim.

07-23-2009, 10:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
evjm Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 137	DIY: Rear Hatch Handle Replacement DISCLAIMER: My first time posting pics so hopefully this works. Also I did this project a few months ago so my memory may be a little rusty I had two problems happening. The rear hatch handle wouldn't return to the home position due to rust on the spring. The lock mechanism wouldn't return to the proper position. I decided to replace the handle and lubricate the lock mechanism. A few months later and both are still working great! First you will need a new handle, here is the part number: Here is what the new handle looks like from the back: You will have to remove the rear hatch lower trim piece. I didn't take any pics of that, sorry. From what I recall you need to take the hand grip piece out, then 4 or 5 push-pin type fasteners that are on the bottom of the hatch. Then you can remove the trim by starting at on of the upper corners and simply pulling it off. There are multiple clips across the piece. __________________ 2004 Murano SL AWD

07-23-2009, 10:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
evjm Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 137	Once you have the trim removed you will see the back of the handle is kind of behind the rear wiper motor mount. There are only two nuts holding the handle in place. To get better access to them unclip the harness. Here is a pic of the harness off, the cable disconnected from the handle, and the two nuts removed. Once you have the two nuts off you have to maneouver the plastic rectangular-shaped piece off. After the plastic piece is off you have remove the handle from the outside. Here is a pic of how rusted my handle was. With the handle out give the whole are a good cleaning to avoid future rust. The installation is basically the reverse. I also added some liquid film to the handle. It is a lubricant that hardens a bit and protects the spring. Also while you have the trim off it is a good time to change the license plate bulbs. Here is a pic of them from the inside. You may also want to change the interior liftgate lights as well since they are exposed. Good luck! __________________ 2004 Murano SL AWD

07-23-2009, 11:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
Stoker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 842	Great Job, excellent post. It appears that Nova Scotia still is using lots of road salt to help clear the snow from the roads __________________ 2003 Silver murano SL AWD Sunroof Sunroof deflector Roof rack cross bars Cloud rider lower grill Bug deflector 2011 VW Jetta TDI

08-18-2009, 07:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
g1teg Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ottawa Ontario Posts: 108	I think this may be in my near future. I was out a little while ago, and my door would not shut! just kept bouncing off the striker, never latching on. I took the panel off and managed to find the latch stuck... been reading the gen 1s have this problem a lot... Ill buy a latch and wait for mine to fail. Thanks for the How-to! __________________ That dosnt look so hard... Oh no! Jeff 03 Black SE. stock

08-18-2009, 06:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Eric L. Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 8,199	GREAT DIY post. My rear hatch handle also has a weak spring and I have to manually push the handle back before I shut the trunk - quite annoying. __________________ 2003 Midnight Blue SE AWD w/VDC Colgan Bra, Mobil One, JWT POP charger PAC aux input adapter, hardwired Escort Passport x50, KUDA mount for MP3 player, Porterfield R4S brake pads (now Akebono ProACT), ATE Superblue Yokohama Envigor (much improved over stock Goodyears) Lots of squeaks and rattles.

07-23-2009, 12:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
Phatty McPatty Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: United States Posts: 873	evjm, Great DIY! I sent you a PM. Patrick

10-05-2009, 10:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
D2Krules Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 53	Awesome post! I need to replace all bulbs and lube the handle as well. Funny how 1 post can describe all my issues. Saved me a post. Thanks again. -D __________________ Murano Black SL AWD 2003 165K Miles as of 09/2009

10-06-2009, 09:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
D2Krules Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 53	I still love my Murano. I bought it brand spank'n new from the dealer. __________________ Murano Black SL AWD 2003 165K Miles as of 09/2009

10-08-2009, 09:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
Gonzo Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 4,092	I just picked up the new part today... weekend project to replace. Thanks for the posting. Perhaps this should be a sticky. __________________ 2003 SL AWD Black

10-08-2009, 10:00 AM	#11 (permalink)
D2Krules Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 53	Watch your fingers. The edge of the wiper motor plate is sharp. I wanted to clean and lube mine but I quickly discovered I need a new one. __________________ Murano Black SL AWD 2003 165K Miles as of 09/2009

10-08-2009, 11:50 AM	#12 (permalink)
ekaxel Super Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,164	I was never in that thread... __________________ '03 SL everything but OEM Nav Magellan Roadmate 1700 7" in dash Valentine One Black grille DrawTite 2" hitch & homemade harness Excalibur 1620 alarm Magnetbra Full spare tire Roof rails with crossbars Aluminum fuel tank shield Optima Red Top battery HID fogs/DRL 3 new door lock assemblies 235/65R17 Dean Wintercat snows Backup camera Parking sensor (IR) system GROM IPOD/USB/AUX audio interface with Bluetooth New CVT 1/12

10-10-2009, 09:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
Gonzo Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 4,092	Great project.... took 30 minutes and now I've got my hatch back in order. Thanks. I figured I would add some photots to assist... Here was my old handle and then of course the new one. Attached Thumbnails __________________ 2003 SL AWD Black

10-10-2009, 09:57 PM	#14 (permalink)
Gonzo Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 4,092	I thought this would help in determining where the attachment points where when pulling of the trim. Attached Thumbnails __________________ 2003 SL AWD Black

10-10-2009, 09:59 PM	#15 (permalink)
Gonzo Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 4,092	and finally I thought this would be helpful to see how the hand is attached to you can remove it.... those two points are also on the bottom and they just need be be slighly pryed away from the trim and pulled out. Also the hatch interior lights should be pulled and the harness disconnected prior to removing the trim. Attached Thumbnails __________________ 2003 SL AWD Black

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