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In this video, we're going to show you how to replace a rear hatch glass hinge on this 2003 Mercury Mountaineer, and we show you on the driver side but the passenger side is the same procedure. It's the same part and similar process on these Mountaineers from 2002 to 2005. The items you'll need for this are new lift gate hinges from 1AAuto.com, a flat blade screw driver, 11 millimeter socket and ratchet, T30 Torx Bit, and depending on the condition of the old hinge, you may need locking pliers as well.
You see here, this hinge is broken. That's pretty common. There's a rod that runs through here. It's snapped and that's why this has fallen down. When we open this window, it opens up okay, but when you go to close it, it hits. It's basically because this has dropped down. If I lift up on it a little bit, I can get it to close.
Open up your lift gate and then you just want to pry out these clips and then pull the pistons from those studs. There's one on the top and the bottom, and you do want to do this on both sides. You don't have to pull the clip all the way out, but you can to make it just a little bit easier. You do want to pry them out on both sides before removing one or the other because if you're holding it up by yourself it can get a little heavy. This way you can remove them both quickly, and then just carefully lower that lift gate.
We're going to open up the tailgate, and then you want to grab on here and pull right towards you. Do the same thing over here on the side. You want to pull towards yourself. Using a T30 Torx bit and ratchet, just remove that bolt. Then, using an 11 millimeter socket with an extension, you may need to pull this down a little further, and then just insert it up through this hole and remove that 11 millimeter nut while holding the hinge from the other side to keep it from spinning. When you remove that nut, you can pull the hinge free.
Our stud came out of our old hinge, so we're going to use some penetrating oil and use some good locking pliers. Remove that nut as we hold onto the stud with the pliers.
On the left is the old hinge. On the right is the new one from 1A Auto. You can see they are identical and they'll fit exactly the same. With the new hinge, make sure you put the gasket up in there, and it just goes right in. Take your socket and your extension. Now, you want to position the glass so that this part is pretty much centered in that hole. Take your bolt and your washer and make sure you put the washer on that bolt. There's a plastic washer that comes with the original, and then tighten up the bolt for the glass. Then, tighten up the other bolt as well. If you wanted to replace your other one, you'd pull back on the trim more and replace the other one. Then, once you're finished, put the trim back in place. You just peek in behind, make sure everything lines up, and then push it into place.
Okay, if you pried your clips off, just use your fingertips and put them back in. They can pinch you so be a little bit careful. Use a screwdriver to help you along. Make sure they're back in and they're going to grab, and do the same thing on this end. Now, lift up your glass, and it's going to be heavy. The bent end goes on the body and then you'll probably have to lift up and twist this.
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