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Honda Ridgeline. Manual - part 378

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20-150

Tailgate

Tailgate Removal (cont’d)

Fastener Locations

: Bolt, 4

8 x 1.25 mm

5. While holding the tailgate (A), using a TORX T50 bit,

remove remaining four bolts securing the left
tailgate lower hinge (B) and right tailgate lower
striker (C).

6. Pull on the upper handle (A) to unlock the left

tailgate upper latch (B) and right tailgate upper
latch (C) while holding the tailgate (D).

7. Pull out the tailgate. Remove the shims (E, F) from

under the left tailgate lower hinge and right tailgate
lower striker.

8. Place the tailgate on a padded surface to prevent

damage.

9. To install the tailgate (see page 20-151) for

inatallation and adjustment procedures.

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Special Tools Required

20-151

Tailgate Installation/Adjustment

07AAG-SJCA200

Forward

8 x 1.25 mm
40 N·m
(4.1 kgf·m, 30 lbf·ft)

19 mm (0.75 in.)

• Tailgate Height Step Gauge 07AAG-SJCA100
• Tailgate Left Hinge Alignment Fixture

07AAG-SJCA200

NOTE: This procedure is based on these conditions:

• Tailgate panel removed (see page 20-140).
• The rear bumper removed (see page 20-133).
• Tailgate removed (see page 20-149).
• The left tailgate upper striker and the right tailgate

upper striker removed from vehicle.

• The right tailgate lower striker is installed onto the

vehicle with the bolts snug enough to allow the
striker to slide up or down.

• The left tailgate upper latch and the right tailgate

upper latch are installed onto the tailgate with the
bolts loosely installed.

• The left tailgate lower hinge and the right tailgate

lower hinge are installed onto the tailgate with the
hardware hand tight, allowing some movement of the
latch/hinges.

• All shims are installed in their original locations (if

any).

1. Place the left tailgate hinge alignment fixture

(07AAG-SJCA200) over the hinge (A). Insert the
pins (B) through the holes in the alignment fixture
and into the holes (C) in the hinge. With the
alignment fixture firmly and squarely against the
side and the lower edge of the tailgate, apply
pressure to the side of the alignment fixture at the
side of the tailgate (D) first, and then
simultaneously apply pressure to the side of the
alignment fixture at the bottom of the tailgate (E).
Using a TORX T50 bit and ratchet, tighten the bolts
hand tight.

2. Remove the alignment fixture, and torque the three

bolts to 40 N·m (4.1 kgf·m, 30 lbf·ft).

3. Position the lower edge of the right tailgate lower

hinge (A) 19 mm (0.75 in.) below the bottom edge
of the tailgate (B). Measure from the hinge at the
seam (C). Using a TORX T50 bit and ratchet, torque
the four bolts. After tightening the bolts, recheck
the measurement.

4. Using a screwdriver, latch the left tailgate upper

latch.

5. Apply masking tape (A) to the left side of the

tailgate (B) and the inside of the tailgate opening on
the body (C).

(cont’d)

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20-152

Tailgate

Tailgate Installation/Adjustment (cont’d)

20 mm
(0.79 in.)

6. Carefully position and hold the tailgate in the

tailgate opening, and latch the right tailgate lower
latch (A). Continue to hold up the left side of the
tailgate, and install the original shims (B) (if any)
between the left tailgate lower hinge (C) and the
body (D), then loosely install the lower two bolts in
the hinge.

7. Lower the tailgate, and loosely install the

remaining three bolts into the left tailgate lower
hinge.

8. Raise the tailgate, and hold it in place.

9. Apply a strip of masking tape on the right upper

side of the tailgate (A). Apply another strip of tape
next to it on the body (B).

10. Using the body lines (A) as a guide, hold the right

side of the tailgate at the correct height. Make a
horizontal line across both strips of tape (B), then
make another mark (C) 20 mm (0.79 in.) above the
first mark on the body side.

11. Carefully use the tailgate lower handle to release

the right tailgate lower latch. Do not lower the
tailgate.

NOTE: When you release the right tailgate lower
latch, the tailgate is only supported by the left
tailgate lower hinge.

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20-153

07AAG-SJCA100

8 x 1.25 mm
40 N·m
(4.1 kgf·m,
30 lbf·ft)

12. Insert the tailgate height step gauge (07AAG-

SJCA100) on top of the right side bumper foam (A),
supporting the right side of the tailgate under the
hinge. Keep the right lower hinge as close to the
striker as possible without touching. Position the
step gauge so the mark (B) on the tailgate (made in
step 11) aligns with the higher mark (C) on the body
side.

NOTE:

• Make sure the left upper come of the tailgate

rests forward against the body.

• Note the step number on the gauge where the

latch rests.

13. Insert a pry bar between the right tailgate lower

striker and the right tailgate lower hinge. Have an
assistant apply pressure to move the tailgate to the
left.

14. With the assistant still applying pressure, raise the

left side of the tailgate to align the body line of the
body (A) and tailgate (B), and torque the four left
tailgate lower hinge bolts.

15. Carefully lift and hold the tailgate in the upward

position and remove the step gauge, allowing the
tailgate to sag supported by the left tailgate lower
hinge. Do not latch the right tailgate lower latch.

16. Check the height of the right side of the tailgate.

The alignment mark (A) made on the tailgate side
should line up with the lower alignment mark (B)
made on the body side. If the tailgate is not aligned,
loosen the two left lower hinge bolts on the body
and repeat steps 12 through 15, step gauge, as
needed.

NOTE: When repeating steps 12 through 15, the
mark on the tailgate may not align with the mark on
the body. The higher mark is only used as a starting
point.

(cont’d)

Content .. 376 377 378 379 ..