DODGE TOWN AND COUNTRY 2003 Service Manual

of the latch mounting bracket and then unhook
swedged cable end from the latch link.
(7) Remove the hold open latch from the side door.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/DOORS - SLIDING/HOLD
OPEN LATCH - REMOVAL)
(8) Disconnect the hold open latch cable from the
hold open latch. Gently pry cable sleeve retainer out
of the handle bracket and then unhook swedged
cable end from the latch link.
(9) Remove the hold open latch cable from the side
door.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: For power sliding door procedures refer to
POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM in the ELECTRI-
CAL section.
(1) Match the replacement cable up against the old
cable to verify the correct part.
(2) Position the hold open latch cable on the side
door.
NOTE: The hold open latch cable is marked with
white tape. It must be attached to the upper most
cable attachment at the latch. This position is
marked with a ªWº on the latch.
(3) Connect the hold open latch cable on the hold
open latch assembly. Hook the swedged cable end onthe latch link and gently push the cable sleeve
retainer in the latch bracket.
(4) Install the hold open latch on the side door.(Re-
fer to 23 - BODY/DOORS - SLIDING/HOLD OPEN
LATCH - INSTALLATION)
(5) Connect the hold open latch cable on the latch
assembly. Hook the swedged cable end on the latch
link and gently push the cable sleeve retainer in the
latch bracket.
(6) Trace the outside handle cable along its routing
path and install on its retaining clips and position
foam insulators. Use previously made schematic as a
guide or remove the opposite side door trim panel
and use that door as a guide.
CAUTION: Be certain replacement cable is routed
and retained correctly and foam insulators are
properly positioned.
(7) Install the latch assembly. (Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/POWER DOORS/LATCH - INSTALLATION)
(8) Place the watershield into position and press
securely to adhesive making sure to properly route
wiring and linkages.
(9) Install the appropriate side door trim panel on
the vehicle. (Refer to 23 - BODY/DOORS - SLIDING/
TRIM PANEL - INSTALLATION)
(10) Connect the negative battery cable.
23 - 38 DOORS - SLIDINGRS
HOLD OPEN LATCH CABLE (Continued)
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DECKLID/HATCH/LIFTGATE/TAILGATE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
EXTERIOR HANDLE
REMOVAL.............................39
INSTALLATION.........................39
HINGE
REMOVAL.............................39
INSTALLATION.........................39
LATCH
REMOVAL.............................40
INSTALLATION.........................40
LATCH STRIKER
REMOVAL.............................40
INSTALLATION.........................40
LIFTGATE
REMOVAL.............................41
INSTALLATION.........................41
LIFTGATE SPOILER
REMOVAL.............................41INSTALLATION.........................41
LOCK CYLINDER
REMOVAL.............................41
INSTALLATION.........................41
SUPPORT CYLINDER
REMOVAL.............................42
INSTALLATION.........................42
TRIM PANEL
REMOVAL.............................42
INSTALLATION.........................43
SLAM BUMPER
REMOVAL
REMOVAL...........................43
REMOVAL - LIFTGATE SIDE.............43
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION.......................43
INSTALLATION - LIFTGATE SIDE.........43
EXTERIOR HANDLE
REMOVAL
(1) Remove liftgate trim panel. (Refer to 23 -
BODY/DECKLID/HATCH/LIFTGATE/TAILGATE/
TRIM PANEL - REMOVAL)
(2) Disconnect the exterior handle electrical con-
nectors.
(3) Remove the two outer screws and the two inner
screws.
(4) Remove the exterior handle/license plate light
assembly.
INSTALLATION
(1) Route the exterior handle electrical connector
through the door and position handle.
(2) Install the two out screws and tighten to 20
N´m (15 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install the two inner bolts and tighten to 40
N´m (30 ft. lbs.).
(4) Connect the electrical connector.
(5) Install the trim panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/
DECKLID/HATCH/LIFTGATE/TAILGATE/TRIM
PANEL - INSTALLATION)
HINGE
REMOVAL
(1) Release liftgate latch and open liftgate.
(2) Support liftgate on a suitable lifting device in
the full open position.
(3) Apply several layers of duct tape on the outside
of to roof across the gap to the lift gate to hold the
liftgate in position.
(4) Remove bolts attaching liftgate hinge to roof
header.
(5) Disconnect VTSS switch from the body har-
ness.
(6) Remove bolts attaching hinge to liftgate (Fig.
1).
(7) Remove hinge from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) If necessary, paint replacement hinge before
installation.
(2) Place hinge in position on vehicle.
(3) Align hinge to marks on liftgate.
(4) Install bolts attaching hinge to liftgate (Fig. 1).
Tighten bolts to 33 N´m (24 ft. lbs.) torque.
(5) Align hinge to marks on roof header.
(6) Install bolts attaching liftgate hinge to roof
header. Tighten outer two bolts to 33 N´m (24 ft. lbs.)
torque. The sheet medal screw at center 12 N´m (105
in. lbs.)
(7) Remove duct tape from roof and liftgate.
RSDECKLID/HATCH/LIFTGATE/TAILGATE23-39
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(8) Verify liftgate alignment. Refer to Liftgate
Remove and Installation for proper gap measure-
ments.
LATCH
REMOVAL
(1) Remove liftgate trim panel.
(2) Disengage outside handle link from clip on
latch.
(3) Disconnect wire connector from liftgate latch
(Fig. 2).
(4) Remove screws attaching latch to liftgate.
(5) Remove latch from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Engage link and place latch in position on vehi-
cle.
(2) Install screws attaching latch to liftgate.
Tighten to 10 N´m (95 lb.in.) torque.
(3) Connect wire connector to liftgate latch.
(4) Verify liftgate fit and operation. Adjust as nec-
essary.
(5) Install liftgate trim panel.
LATCH STRIKER
REMOVAL
(1) Open liftgate.
(2) Mark outline of striker on sill to aid installa-
tion.
(3) Remove screws attaching striker to sill (Fig. 3).
(4) Remove striker from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Place striker in position on vehicle.
(2) Align striker to outline mark on sill.
(3) Install screws attaching striker to sill. Tighten
screws to 28 N´m (21 ft. lbs.) torque.
(4) Verify liftgate alignment and operation.
Fig. 1 LIFTGATE HINGE
1 - LIFTGATE
2 - HINGE
3 - REAR ROOF HEADER
Fig. 2 LIFTGATE LATCH
1 - ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
2 - LIFTGATE LATCH
3 - SCREW
4 - LIFTGATE
5 - LIFTGATE LOCK CYLINDER
Fig. 3 LIFTGATE LATCH STRIKER
1 - LIFTGATE SILL
2 - LIFTGATE STRIKER
23 - 40 DECKLID/HATCH/LIFTGATE/TAILGATERS
HINGE (Continued)
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LIFTGATE
REMOVAL
(1) Release liftgate latch and open liftgate.
(2) Remove screws attaching liftgate wire connec-
tor to rear header.
(3) Disconnect liftgate wire harness from body
wire harness.
(4) Remove liftgate upper frame molding.
(5) Disconnect rear window washer hose from
spray nozzle.
(6) Support liftgate on a suitable lifting device.
(7) Remove screws attaching support cylinders to
liftgate.
(8) Remove bolts attaching liftgate hinge to roof
header (Fig. 4).
(9) With assistance, remove liftgate from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) With assistance, place liftgate in position on
vehicle.
(2) Install bolts attaching liftgate hinge to roof
header. Tighten bolts to 33 N´m (24 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) Install screws attaching support cylinders to
liftgate. Tighten bolts to 28 N´m (21 ft. lbs.) torque.
(4) Remove lifting device from under liftgate.
(5) Connect liftgate wire harness into body wire
harness.
(6) Install screws attaching wire connector to rear
header.
(7) Connect rear window washer hose onto spray
nozzle.
(8) Install liftgate upper frame molding.
(9) Verify liftgate alignment. The liftgate should
have a gap to adjacent panels and fit flush across the
gaps. The gap is;²7 mm (0.280 in.) to the fascia,
²6 mm (0.240 in.) to the roof,
²4 mm (0.160 in.) to the aperture.
LIFTGATE SPOILER
REMOVAL
(1) Remove nuts (Fig. 5).
(2) Remove spoiler from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Place liftgate spoiler in position and install
nuts.
(2) Tighten nuts to 9 N´m (80 in. lbs.) torque.
LOCK CYLINDER
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the liftgate trim panel. (Refer to 23 -
BODY/DECKLID/HATCH/LIFTGATE/TAILGATE/
TRIM PANEL - REMOVAL)
(2) Disconnect the electrical connector.
(3) Disconnect the latch rod.
(4) Rotate plastic lock cylinder nut one quarter
turn and remove nut and spring washer.
(5) Remove the lock cylinder from the liftgate.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install lock cylinder into liftgate.
(2) Install the plastic lock cylinder lock nut, spring
washer and rotate one quarter turn.
(3) Connect the electrical connector.
Fig. 4 LIFTGATE
1 - HINGE
2 - ROOF
3 - NET HOLE OR SLOT
Fig. 5 LIFTGATE SPOILER
1 - RETAINER SEALER WASHER
2 - LIFT GATE SPOILER
RSDECKLID/HATCH/LIFTGATE/TAILGATE23-41
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(4) Connect the latch rod.
(5) Install the trim panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/
DECKLID/HATCH/LIFTGATE/TAILGATE/TRIM
PANEL - INSTALLATION)
(6) Verify lock cylinder operation.
SUPPORT CYLINDER
REMOVAL
(1) Release liftgate latch and open liftgate.
(2) Support liftgate on a suitable lifting device in
the full open position.
(3) Pull liftgate opening weatherstrip from D-pillar
flange next to prop assembly end pivot.
(4) Remove bolt attaching end pivot to D-pillar
(Fig. 6).
(5) Remove bolt attaching prop assembly to lift-
gate.
(6) Remove prop assembly from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
Ensure that the cylinder end is attached to the
D-pillar and the shaft end is attached to the liftgate.
(1) Place prop assembly in position.
(2) Install bolt attaching prop assembly to liftgate.
(3) Install bolt attaching end pivot to D-pillar.
Tighten bolts to 28 N´m (21 ft. lbs.) torque.
(4) Install liftgate opening weatherstrip to D-pillar
flange next to prop assembly end pivot.
(5) Close liftgate. Check liftgate operation.
TRIM PANEL
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the bolt attaching the lift motor link, if
equipped (Fig. 7).
(2) Remove liftgate upper frame molding (Fig. 8).
(3) Remove assist handle screws.
(4) Disengage hidden clips holding trim panel to
liftgate from around perimeter or liftgate (Fig. 8).
(5) Disconnect wire connector from lamps.
(6) Remove liftgate trim panel from vehicle.
Fig. 6 LIFTGATE PROP ASSEMBLY
1 - LIFTGATE
2 - PROP ASSEMBLY
Fig. 7 LIFTGATE MOTOR
1 - LIFTGATE MOTOR LINK BOLT
2 - LIFTGATE MOTOR
3 - LIFTGATE
Fig. 8 LIFTGATE TRIM
1 - LIFTGATE
2 - LOWER TRIM PANEL
3 - ASSIST HANDLE SCREWS
4 - UPPER TRIM
5 - UPPER TRIM CLIPS
23 - 42 DECKLID/HATCH/LIFTGATE/TAILGATERS
LOCK CYLINDER (Continued)
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INSTALLATION
(1) Place liftgate trim panel in position on vehicle.
(2) Engage hidden clips to hold trim panel to lift-
gate and fasteners around perimeter of liftgate (Fig.
8).
(3) Connect wire connector into lamp.
(4) Install courtesy lamps into liftgate trim.
(5) Install screws to hold assist handle to liftgate.
(6) Install upper frame side moldings.
(7) Install liftgate upper frame molding.
(8) Install the bolt attaching the lifgate motor link
and tighten to 28 N´m (21 ft. lbs.)
SLAM BUMPER
REMOVAL
REMOVAL
(1) Open liftgate.
(2) Remove liftgate stop bumper body side attach-
ing bolts (Fig. 9).
(3) Remove liftgate stop bumper.
REMOVAL - LIFTGATE SIDE
(1) Open liftgate.
(2) Remove liftgate stop bumper liftgate side
attaching rivets by drilling out old rivets.
(3) Remove liftgate stop bumper.
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION
(1) Place liftgate stop bumper into position.
(2) Install bolts attaching liftgate stop bumper to
body side (Fig. 9).
(3) Close liftgate.
INSTALLATION - LIFTGATE SIDE
(1) Place liftgate stop bumper into position.
(2) Install rivets attaching liftgate stop bumper to
liftgate.
(3) Close liftgate.
Fig. 9 LIFTGATE STOP BUMPER - BODY SIDE
1 - LIFTGATE STOP BUMPER
2 - LIFTGATE OPENING
RSDECKLID/HATCH/LIFTGATE/TAILGATE23-43
TRIM PANEL (Continued)
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EXTERIOR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
BODY SIDE MOLDINGS
REMOVAL.............................44
INSTALLATION.........................45
COWL GRILLE
REMOVAL.............................49
INSTALLATION.........................50
EXTERIOR NAME PLATES - TAPE ATTACHED
REMOVAL.............................50
INSTALLATION.........................50
EXTERIOR NAME PLATES - ADHESIVE
ATTACHED
REMOVAL.............................50
INSTALLATION.........................50
FRONT FENDER
REMOVAL.............................51
INSTALLATION.........................51
FUEL FILL DOOR
REMOVAL.............................51
INSTALLATION.........................51
FUEL FILL DOOR BLOCKER LATCH
REMOVAL.............................52
INSTALLATION.........................52
FUEL FILL DOOR BLOCKER LATCH STRIKER
REMOVAL.............................52
INSTALLATION.........................52
FUEL FILL DOOR BLOCKER LOCKOUT LINK
REMOVAL.............................52INSTALLATION.........................53
GRILLE OPENING REINFORCEMENT
REMOVAL.............................53
INSTALLATION.........................53
FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELD
REMOVAL.............................54
INSTALLATION.........................54
LUGGAGE RACK RISER
REMOVAL.............................54
INSTALLATION.........................55
LUGGAGE RACK CROSSBAR
REMOVAL.............................55
INSTALLATION.........................56
REAR QUARTER PANEL/FENDER AIR
EXHAUSTER
DESCRIPTION.........................56
REMOVAL.............................56
INSTALLATION.........................57
ROOF JOINT MOLDING
REMOVAL.............................57
INSTALLATION.........................57
SIDE VIEW MIRROR
REMOVAL.............................57
INSTALLATION.........................57
SIDE VIEW MIRROR GLASS
REMOVAL.............................58
INSTALLATION.........................58
BODY SIDE MOLDINGS
REMOVAL
Refer to (Fig. 1), (Fig. 2), (Fig. 3), (Fig. 4) or (Fig.
5)for proper location of fasteners holding the molding
to the wheelhouse lip and rocker panels.
(1) Warm the affected stick on molding and body
metal to approximately 38É C (100É F) using a suit-
able heat lamp or heat gun.
(2) If equipped, remove pop rivets holding molding
edge to wheelhouse lip.(3) Pull stick on molding from painted surface.
(4) Remove adhesive tape residue from painted
surface of vehicle. Use a 3M Scotch-BriteŸ Molding
Adhesive and Stripe Removal Disc, or equivalent, to
clean adhesive residue from painted surfaces. These
products are available from automotive paint suppli-
ers. Refer to instructions supplied with the specific
product for proper usage.
23 - 44 EXTERIORRS
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INSTALLATION
Refer to (Fig. 1), (Fig. 2), (Fig. 3), (Fig. 4) or (Fig.
5)for proper location of fasteners to hold the molding
to the wheelhouse lip and rocker panels.
(1) If molding is to be reused;
(a) Remove tape residue from molding.
(b) Clean back of molding with MopartSuper
Kleen, or equivalent.
(c) Wipe molding dry with lint free cloth.
(d) Apply a single coat of MopartTPO Molding
Prep to tape side of molding and allow to dry thor-
oughly.
(e) Apply new body side molding (two sided
adhesive) tape to back of molding.(2) Clean body surface with MopartSuper Kleen,
or equivalent. Wipe surface dry with lint free cloth.
(3) Remove protective cover from tape on back of
molding.
(4) Apply molding to body from front to rear,
inserting locator pins into hole in body panel.
(5) Using a roller tool, roll molding onto body
panel with enough force to assure adhesion. Do not
apply excessive force, or damage to body panels may
result.
(6) Install pop rivets to hold molding edge to
wheelhouse lip, if necessary.
Fig. 1 BODY SIDE MOLDINGS - BASE TYPICAL
1 - GUIDE PINS
2 - FRONT DOOR MOLDING3 - SLIDING DOOR MOLDING
4 - QUARTER PANEL MOLDING
RSEXTERIOR23-45
BODY SIDE MOLDINGS (Continued)
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Fig. 2 BODY SIDE MOLDINGS - HIGHLINE TYPICAL
1 - QUARTER PANEL
2 - FRONT FENDER
3 - POP-RIVET
4 - FENDER MOLDING
5 - FRONT DOOR MOLDING6 - SLIDING DOOR MOLDING
7 - GUIDE PINS
8 - QUARTER PANEL MOLDING
9 - LIFTGATE MOLDING
10 - POP-RIVET
23 - 46 EXTERIORRS
BODY SIDE MOLDINGS (Continued)
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Fig. 3 BODY SIDE MOLDINGS - PREMIUM TYPICAL
1 - QUARTER PANEL
2 - FRONT FENDER
3 - POP-RIVET
4 - FENDER MOLDING
5 - POP-RIVET
6 - FASCIA7 - FRONT DOOR MOLDING
8 - SLIDING DOOR MOLDING
9 - QUARTER PANEL MOLDING
10 - FASCIA MOLDING
11 - POP-RIVET
RSEXTERIOR23-47
BODY SIDE MOLDINGS (Continued)
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