I am about to go into wrecking yard to get a mint back hatch/gate for my 1998 Legacy Outback wagon and I am looking for advice to undue and preserve the wiring for the beast. I did some searches and could not find any info on this topic. I have 1 hour this evening to do this before the place closes. any advice? thanks for all your responses in advance!

 

Johnny 

Don't know anything about the wiring, but do know that it is a 2 man job. The tail gate is heavy as hell. Takes two guys to carry it, including someone to hold it as you unbolt it.

Remove the inside plastic panel from the hatch, undo all wiring connectors and thread wiring back through the top of the hatch, popping the rubber grommets out as you go.   Some do have electrical at the top.  Hang on let me look, got a 98 I am stripping.

The best way.   Top left boot is wiper washer.  Go down into the left quarter panel after removing the plastic, pull the hose off the pump and feed it back of the D pillar.   Top Right boot is electrical.  Do the same thing, there is a multi pin connection down by the tail light on the right hand side.  You undo it and feed it up. 

 

TOP TIP. 

 

Before you remove -YOUR- Hatch.  When you pull your squirter line or your electrical line.  Tie some strong string on the end and when you pull the cable up, pull the string up.  Cut string and tie off on top, and when you want to feed it back down.  You have a string you can tie on and pull it back down.

 

YMMV, Hope this helps and the rest of it is straight forward.

Thanks so much for being so generous in providing all these great tips. I will be in Calgary Monday and after I have my CV Joint replaced and a good all around check up I will head down to the wreaking yard to see what scraps we can salvage. 

Edited July 13, 201411 yr by johnnyispy