kennycoulter Posted September 8, 2017 Share Posted September 8, 2017 Are there any tips on how to fix this? I do not have a manual with the car. Is there another latch popper that I can get the thing open in order to find out what parts I need to get?I live in the EXTREME rust belt, and I suspect that a few parts rusted and broke off, so the handle just flops around....Is this a typical problem with these cars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brus brother Posted September 8, 2017 Share Posted September 8, 2017 need to climb in the back, pop off the retaining pins that hold the interior and then peek in. On my 05 there is a white lever on the driver's side of the panel but don't know about the 99. You are in for some contortions but there are a bunch of youtube videos that should help you visualize. just type "stuck rear hatch subaru" in the search bar on youtube, maybe someone else on board with that vintage can fill in some details. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY_Dave Posted September 8, 2017 Share Posted September 8, 2017 On one of mine, the handle felt like the cable was not attached, and it was the locking mechanism keeping it 'disengaged'. Try cycling the lock about 10 times. Is there a small removable panel on the inside to access the latch? I have had to pull off the internal panels from below the window to get to a stuck latch. Broken bits usually result, trick is to be as gentle as possible. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike104 Posted September 8, 2017 Share Posted September 8, 2017 (edited) Are there any tips on how to fix this? I do not have a manual with the car. Is there another latch popper that I can get the thing open in order to find out what parts I need to get? I live in the EXTREME rust belt, and I suspect that a few parts rusted and broke off, so the handle just flops around.... Is this a typical problem with these cars? There is a plate that holds the handle and license plate lights that corrodes and causes the handle to get stuck. 84927AC020 Sometimes if you lubricate the hinge points with some spray it will move enough to unlatch the door You can see how the latch mates to the handle (5) here: Edited September 8, 2017 by Mike104 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted September 9, 2017 Share Posted September 9, 2017 This is a common defect, most of the ones I've had have had rusty latches. Hit with WD40 or PB Blaster? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennycoulter Posted September 11, 2017 Author Share Posted September 11, 2017 Thank you to everyone!I noticed this weekend that it seems to have HAD a handle to pop it from the inside, near the gas door pull handle........SOOOoooo it must have rusted, then the previous owner tore off the handle trying to get it to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY_Dave Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 By the way I had to free up my forester hatch handle and hardware a while ago, I lubed it all with electrical silicone grease. Has lasted much better than anything I have ever tried! Months later and it still works like new. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 Thank you to everyone! I noticed this weekend that it seems to have HAD a handle to pop it from the inside, near the gas door pull handle........SOOOoooo it must have rusted, then the previous owner tore off the handle trying to get it to work. nah wagons don't have a pull cable for the tailgate. someone must have replaced the pull with one from a sedan. you will need to remove the interior panel parially. just pull it out around the top edge. the bottom edge is pinned by clips in the seem, so you will only be able to pull the top of the panel outward, and reach down to the latch mechanism inside at the bottom. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennycoulter Posted December 27, 2017 Author Share Posted December 27, 2017 I am trying to find the clips that hold the panel on. The previous owner took it half way apart to try to fix it. I have it so that I can open it, and bought new replacements for the red clips. Are the other clips re-useable? ...like the center pin would pull out or push in, to release the pin?I am hoping to have all of the new parts on and functioning soon, and would like to put the inside hatch panel back on.The parts stores can't look it up, and I haven't had luck finding them from Subaru parts sales online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike104 Posted December 28, 2017 Share Posted December 28, 2017 Subaru dealer has them (they should be able to find the part number). The center pin ones are reuseable assuming that the tabs on the outer part are not broken. 94099AA200MU https://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru_1999_Legacy-Outback-Touring-Wagon-25L-AT-4WD/CLIP-TRIM/49316938/94099AA200MU.html You may be able to get some from a pull and pay yard. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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