Geo Tracker Question

[biggieou]

I just picked up a 93 Tracker 4x4 to drive in the winter and the rear gate handle is rusted into the open position, but the gate will not open. I was wondering if any of you all knew how this assembly came apart or had any suggestions. I already sprayed it down w/ WD40 to try and start loosening it up, so I'll spray it again tomorrow.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I just had to do my 99. The inside panel needs to come off unfortunately. inside the screws for the handle shoud , and the license plate thingy come out. The the screws for the handle. My spring that returns the handle back to rest was scashad and caked with crud and rust making it more of a pipe than spring. After a good brushing and wd it has been great.

 

[biggieou]

Thanks, how does the back panel come off? I see it has clip thingies on it, but I didnt want to break them off.

 

[scootergmc]

Get yourself a can of PB Blaster. It works 10x better than WD.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

that goes without saying. WD is a great wash out product when using a brush. I showed the powers of PB a few nights back on a 5 year old remote exhaust brake flange

 

[biggieou]

So I popped off the inside panel and was looking and really couldnt see anywhere I could get to the handle at. I think I'm going to take the back seats out so I can have some more room back there, but at first glance it didnt look very promising.

 

[DBogo]

Get yourself a can of PB Blaster. It works 10x better than WD.

get some thrust, works about 10x better then PB so thats what 100x better then WD

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Wait Biggie. the inside panel comes off to gain access to the screws so that you can get to the guts of the handle OUTSIDE. In another words the shroud is screwed from the inside hence the panel removal.

 

[biggieou]

Gotcha gotcha. I'll give it a looksey when I get home from work this afternoon. It was about 80 and raining w/200% humidity yesterday and my glasses kept fogging up in the back of that tiny Tracker.

 

[biggieou]

Thanks for the help guys, we were able to get the door open today. The handle doesnt want to return back to the "down" position, so I hope with some more WD/PB or even white lithium grease it will work a little easier. Thanks again guys!!

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

So did ya work the spring over?? Also make sure to get the linkage inside. Mine was all sortsa corroded close to where it meets up with the latch.

 

[biggieou]

Yeah I worked the spring over with white lithium grease and WD40, spent a couple hours messing around with it, but it opens properly now. Do you know where I can get some of the door panel clips at though? I broke a few of mine when taking it off.