GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2009 🢒 Caprice WM 🢒 Preface 🢒 Cautions and Notices 🢒 Liftgate Adjustment
  1. Remove the quarter inner trim finish panels on both sides. Refer to Quarter Inner Trim Finish Panel Replacement.
  2. Remove the headlining rear trim panel retainer. Refer to Headlining Rear Trim Panel Retainer Replacement.
  3. Remove the body side window rear garnish moulds on both sides. Refer to Body Side Window Rear Garnish Molding Replacement.

    4. Object Number: 2078240 Size: SH
  4. Loosen the liftgate hinge to liftgate bolts (1).
  5. Loosen the liftgate hinge to rear header nuts (3).
  6. Loosen the liftgate hinge to rear header bolt (2).

    7. Object Number: 2078239 Size: SH
  7. Mark the location of the lifgate striker (6) to the vehicle body with a wax pencil.
  8. Remove the liftgate striker retaining bolts (6).
  9. Remove the liftgate striker (5).
  10. Remove the liftgate wedges on both sides. Refer to Liftgate Wedge Replacement.

    11. Important: Ensure the liftgate does not contact the top and each side of the vehicle body.

  11. Close the liftgate.

    12. Object Number: 2078239 Size: SH
  12. Align the liftgate in order to achieve an equal gap of 6.5 mm (.25 in) between the liftgate and the roof panel (2) and  (3).
  13. Align the liftgate in order to achieve an equal gap of 4.5 mm (.17 in) between the liftgate and the rear quarter panel on both sides (4).
  14. Align the liftgate in order to achieve an equal gap of 6.7 mm (.26 in) between the liftgate and the rear bumper facia (1).

    15. Object Number: 2139988 Size: SH
  15. Align the liftgate in order to achieve a height difference of - 1.5 mm from the rear quarter panel to the liftgate (1).
  16. Align the liftgate in order to achieve a height difference of - 1.0 mm from the roof panel to the liftgate (2).

    17. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 2078240 Size: SH
  17. Verify the alignment of the liftgate to the vehicle body.
  18. Tighten the liftgate hinge to header bolt (2).

    19. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 58 N·m (43 lb ft).

  19. Tighten the liftgate hinge to header nuts (3).

    20. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).

  20. Tighten the liftgate hinge to liftgate bolts (1).

    21. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 22 N·m (16 lb ft).


    Object Number: 2078239 Size: SH
  21. Install the liftgate striker (5) to the vehicle body making sure the marked location points are aligned.
  22. Tighten the liftgate striker bolts (6).

    23. Tighten
    Tighten bolts to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).

  23. Close the liftgate and ensure the liftgate striker (5) does not alter the liftgate to body alignment.
  24. Adjust the liftgate striker if required.
  25. Install the liftgate wedges on both sides. Refer to Liftgate Wedge Replacement.
  26. Install both the body side window rear garnish moulds. Refer to Body Side Window Rear Garnish Molding Replacement.
  27. Install the headlining rear trim panel retainer. Refer to Headlining Rear Trim Panel Retainer Replacement.
  28. Install both the quarter inner trim finish panels. Refer to Quarter Inner Trim Finish Panel Replacement.