You can replace the rear liftgate on your Jeep Wrangler in a few steps. If the rear glass is broken, removal may be as simple as pulling the hinges off the hard top and transferring them to the new glass. If the glass is intact, you must transfer the wiper motor, hinges and ball studs from the old glass to the new glass. The glass is durable, so breaking it is not a concern unless you drop it or over-tighten the components as you transfer them. You can get a replacement liftgate from a salvage yard, glass company or Jeep dealership.
Instructions
- 1
Remove the wiring harness connectors from the rear defroster and the rear wiper motor from inside the Jeep. Both connectors pull off by hand; leave them hanging for now.
2Open the liftgate glass and tailgate of the Jeep. Remove the support pistons from the glass. You will see a clip on each end of the support where it meets the ball stud. Remove the clips with a flat-head screwdriver, and pull the pistons off.
3Remove the four bolts that attach the liftgate hinges to the hardtop, using a socket and ratchet. Remove the glass from the Jeep, and set it somewhere soft and flat to transfer the hardware from it to the new glass.
4Remove the rear wiper arm from the wiper motor by removing the nut securing the arm to the wiper motor with a socket and ratchet. Slide the arm straight off the motor and set it aside.
5Remove the large nut on the wiper motor shaft with a wrench. The wiper motor shaft runs through the glass. Slide the motor off the glass and remove the two rubber grommets from the inside and outside of the glass. Place the grommets in the hole on the new glass and slide the wiper motor shaft into the hole. Replace the retaining nut and tighten it with a wrench until it is snug.
6Transfer the hinges from the old glass to the new glass. Remove the nuts from the hinges, move the hinges over and reinstall the nut. Torque them to 62 inch-pounds with a torque wrench.
7Remove the ball studs, using a socket and ratchet, and transfer them to the new glass. Tighten them to 112 inch-pounds with a torque wrench.
8Install the glass on the hardtop by installing the four mounting bolts through the hinges and into the top. Tighten the bolts to 95 inch-pounds with a torque wrench.
9Reinstall the support rods, sliding them onto the ball studs on the body and glass, then install the retaining clips. The clips just push into position and will snap in when fully seated.
10Reconnect the wiring harness connectors for the wiper motor and the rear window defroster. They both just push onto the connectors of the respective parts. Close the tailgate and liftgate, then install the wiper arm back onto the wiper motor shaft. Install the retaining nut and tighten with a socket and ratchet.
