Body/Trim: 850 Tailgate interior handle

[AndyPants]

Well after trying to change my tailgate brake light bulb earlier this week and the tailgate trim making a break for freedom I thought it might be time to re-install the interior tailgate handle that the previous owner left off.

However I can't seem to fathom how to position the metal rod that presumably is supposed to push against the cables/rods for the tailgate release?? I've tried it in different positions and it just flops about? Unfortunately having not taken off the handle myself the Haynes manuals 'installation is the reverse of removal' is completely useless!

Has anyone done this before? Searching just results in tailgate removal posts which I've done already anyway.

P.S. I think Volvo used cheddar cheese for their tailgate plastics...

Thanks

[mikealder]

If the plastic is shot consider getting one of These kits, well worth it and easy to fit, I wrote up how to fit the kit in Here - Mike

[AndyPants]

Originally Posted by mikealder

If the plastic is shot consider getting one of These kits, well worth it and easy to fit, I wrote up how to fit the kit in Here - Mike

Thanks Mike but I've already got one of those kits - infact I've literally just put the metal plates on - although I should have probably put the top screw in before bending as you suggested. I've installed one of these kits before on my old 760.

However my main query is regarding the interior handle and how its supposed to fit. Attaching it is easy peasy - just two bolts - but can't fathom how/where to position the rod so it actually does something?

[AndyPants]

Heres some pictures to help show what I'm trying to do:

This is what the car had on it - the handle backing plate but with no handle:



Inside view with the backing plate removed:



How it 'fits' (being held in place) with the metal rod arm dangling about:



Top/bottom (depending on perspective!) view of interior handle:



Back view of interior handle, note the rod flails around - I figure it needs to slot into/push the other rods somehow but I can't see to get it to fit/do anything useful:



Pulling the external handle moves one of the rods about - presumably the same rod the interior handle should push?

At this stage it seems tempting to just bung the blank backing plate back on, but seems a shame not to reinstate the interior handle. Might come in useful should the boot ever lock itself? Although hopefully could take off the boot trim and move the rod manually.

[AndyPants]

Ok to answer my own question there is a small hole the rod needs to fit into as per the picture below. If I'd known this (and had used a good torch earlier) it would have taken me 20 seconds to install the tailgate interior handle... doh... hope it helps someone else. And yay I now have a working interior handle.



The cover over the middle brake light is a right pain in the arse!