Legacy GT Tailgate Problem

[George (2)]

I have a '97 Legacy GT Wagon.
I cannot get the tailgate open.
I have read some old posts about this.
I now have two questions:
A. If I cannot get the tailgate to open even by first pushing forward on the handle (and then pulling up), what should I do? B. How difficult (easy?) is it for me to repalce the handle by myself?

 

[Florian Feuser FFF]

I have a '97 Legacy GT Wagon.
I cannot get the tailgate open.
I have read some old posts about this.
I now have two questions:
A. If I cannot get the tailgate to open even by first pushing forward on the handle (and then pulling up), what should I do? B. How difficult (easy?) is it for me to repalce the handle by myself?

The handle/spring assembly in the Legacy rots away at an amazing rate. Must be galvanic corrosion or similar black magic.

Anyway, the spring is probably stuck not allowing the lever to come back out and engage. Even if pushing the handle forward doesn't seem to help try this: Spray your choice of lubricant/rust preventer onto it and jiggle it until it comes out. Careful with WD40 on painted surfaces, it contains solvents.

florian

 

[Gilles Gour]

The handle/spring assembly in the Legacy rots away at an amazing rate. Must be galvanic corrosion or similar black magic.

Anyway, the spring is probably stuck not allowing the lever to come back out and engage. Even if pushing the handle forward doesn't seem to help try this: Spray your choice of lubricant/rust preventer onto it and jiggle it until it comes out. Careful with WD40 on painted surfaces, it contains solvents.

florian

The temporary procedure (waiting for a permanent cure) is this:
1) Lock the tailgate.
2) Push forward on the handle and keep it pushed.
3) Unlock the tailgate with the key.
4) Pull on the handle.
If you follow that to a T, it should work. In my case (96 Brighton wagon) just spraying twice a year with antirust lubricants has cured the problem. You have to make sure the lubricant gets in all the small openings.

 

[George (2)]

B. How difficult (easy?) is it for me to repalce the handle by myself?

I hope someone can tell me how to replace the handle.
How do I remove the interior trim from the tailgate.
What else is invovled?