Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 445

STRIKER - LIFTGATE 

REMOVAL 

STRIKER - LIFTGATE 

Fig. 439: Rear Door Scuff Plate 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Open the lift gate.  

2. Using a trim stick C-4755 or equivalent, release the retaining clips and remove the scuff plate (1) from 

the body (2). 

Fig. 440: Lift Gate Latch Striker 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

3. Using a grease pencil or equivalent, mark location of latch striker (1).  

4. Remove the two screws (2) from the latch striker (1). 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Body - Nitro

  

INSTALLATION 

STRIKER - LIFTGATE 

Fig. 441: Lift Gate Latch Striker 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Install the latch striker (1) to the body. Align latch striker (1) with the reference marks made previously.  

2. Install the two screws (2) to the latch striker (1) and tighten the screws to 28 N.m (20.5 ft. lbs.). 

Fig. 442: Rear Door Scuff Plate 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

3. Align the trim clips and use hand pressure to install the scuff plate (1) to the body (2).  

4. Close the lift gate.  

5. Adjust the lift gate as necessary, see ADJUSTMENTS.  

ADJUSTMENTS 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Body - Nitro

  

STRIKER - LIFTGATE 

1. Loosen the striker bolts.  

2. Adjust the striker up/down so that it is centered within the latch opening.  

3. Adjust the striker fore/aft so the swing gate is under flush to the body -0.5 mm (+/- 1.0 mm).  

4. Adjust the striker cross-car engagement to the latch by adding 2.0 mm shims as necessary. 

5. Tighten the striker bolts to 28 N.m (21 ft. lbs.).  

SUPPORT - LIFTGATE 

REMOVAL 

SUPPORT - LIFTGATE 

Fig. 443: Lift Gate Support Cylinder & Lift Gate Support Tool 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Raise and support the lift gate with a lift gate support tool (1).  

2. Remove the support cylinder (2) from the lift gate and body.  

INSTALLATION 

SUPPORT - LIFTGATE 

NOTE:

Make sure the striker is not twisted within the latch opening. Striker 
should be parallel to the opening.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Body - Nitro

  

Fig. 444: Lift Gate Support Cylinder & Lift Gate Support Tool 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Install the support cylinder (2) to the lift gate and body.  

2. Remove lift gate support tool (1) and close the lift gate.  

SUPPORT - BRACKET/BALL STUD 

REMOVAL 

SUPPORT - BRACKET/BALL STUD 

Fig. 445: Bracket/Ball Stud Support 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Raise and support the lift gate with a lift gate support tool.  

2. Remove the support cylinder (5) from the support cylinder bracket (2) and body.  

3. Remove the bolts (3) from the support cylinder bracket (2). 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Body - Nitro