Tailgate loose fit

[baj25]

My tailgate doesn't seem to close properly- when locked, I can pull/push the bottom in and out about 3mm and looking from the side the bottom sticks out from surrounding panels. Lock seems to work fine, body panel looks straight, I can't imagine the lock/striker have worn that much. It is as though the striker plate needs moving in a bit but it doesn't seem to have slots for adjustment. Haynes is no help. Any thoughts gratefully received. Bri

[Plasticman]

slacken the 3 screws and it will move in there isnt a slot as such just a good ammount of room in the captive part.before moving it would you open the tailgate and then lower it down till it makes contact with the striker pin,then push it till it clicks, this is the first latching, is this as far as you get or can you push a bit harder and engage the second part?
mm

[baj25]

thanks mm, sounds like I might only be getting first latching. I'll try giving it some BF&I next time cover is off.ta, bri

[baj25]

yep, all it needed was a good slam. thanks, bri