1996 4 runner rear door latch..rusted???

[gogle]

my 1996 4R rear latch is sticky...if you squeeze the handle it stays in that position....my rig came from Ohio...no other rust on the rig that I can tell...but if you look at that latch its rusted really bad...I sprayed WD40 no go....has anyone had this issue? TIA..Garth

 

[Duane]

Mine is sticky when really cold..
I am thinking that it just means that after time it is likely a good thing to dig into the mechanical links and pivots of the back hatch and do some greasing. I haven't done mine yet but I assume you obviously get at it all from the inside.
The window assembly on mine is getting noisier and not as smooth so likely a flag to tend to it before it breaks something as it obviously has some binding going on.
just my 2 cents

 

[gogle]

I did that yesterday....My passenger side door handle broke...so I pulled that too to find the plastic clip that holds the rod broke...so that is on order too. while I was there I asked about the rear latch..the parts guy said it has a cable that unlocks it....he said it might be gummed up. So i pulled everything off the rear door and to my surprise...everything was perfect...except the handle...and to get to the 2 bolts to remove it I would need to unbolt the whole window motor assembly...that looked tricky....I called the dealer...the part is only 58.00 labor is 175-225....YUK!!!! I just have a hard time with how it rusted so bad being hidden from the rain....

 

[zetasig]

I got my 97 runner from OH about 6-7 years ago. Had the same problem with the back door latch. Dealer only item that I installed. its somewhat of a pain, but mine was the same deal. The cables were fine, just the handle itself was not working.

The only thing I can figure is rain seeped down and in from the plastic cover where the plate bolts to.

I replaced mine about 5 or 6 years ago, and have not had an issue since.

I would not pay for the dealer to install it.

my .02