2004 Sequoia, yep the gate handle broke. So common, should have fixed it when it was going, not after it had gone completely, which requires the repair to start with a closed gate :(
It doesn't require any damage to get the gate open from the inside. Remove the 3rd row seats, remove the pull strap. Pop the plastic off the inside of the gate, pull the bottom out and pull it up off the top lip seal. Put the glass down 1/2 way and you can grab the cable to and pop it open. If you have a sticking locks, lock and unlock a few time until you get it. (You could have 2 issues here)
Here's the deal, order the replacement part with the metal handle from ebay. Then have that part installed before yours leaves you with a stuck closed gate. It's not a bad job once you have the gate opened up. What I found with the cheap ebay part is the mounting frame does not fit perfectly like the original. You won't notice until you mount the license plate back on, so you get to do it twice to fix it. JUST START HERE. Take the factory handle apart, toss the broken handle, and install the new metal handle on the factory frame. Perfect ever since. Your handy man should be able to handle this. If you've paid $100's to have it done more more that once, I'm trying to help you out the best I can. This is a good old truck, just needs to be fixed right.
One once of prevention goes a long long way on this one.
Too late for a Yoga recall, but should be on the checklist for all used car flips.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2004 Sequoia, yep the gate handle broke. So common, should have fixed it when it was going, not after it had gone completely, which requires the repair to start with a closed gate :(
It doesn't require any damage to get the gate open from the inside. Remove the 3rd row seats, remove the pull strap. Pop the plastic off the inside of the gate, pull the bottom out and pull it up off the top lip seal. Put the glass down 1/2 way and you can grab the cable to and pop it open. If you have a sticking locks, lock and unlock a few time until you get it. (You could have 2 issues here)
Here's the deal, order the replacement part with the metal handle from ebay. Then have that part installed before yours leaves you with a stuck closed gate. It's not a bad job once you have the gate opened up. What I found with the cheap ebay part is the mounting frame does not fit perfectly like the original. You won't notice until you mount the license plate back on, so you get to do it twice to fix it. JUST START HERE. Take the factory handle apart, toss the broken handle, and install the new metal handle on the factory frame. Perfect ever since. Your handy man should be able to handle this. If you've paid $100's to have it done more more that once, I'm trying to help you out the best I can. This is a good old truck, just needs to be fixed right.
One once of prevention goes a long long way on this one.
Too late for a Yoga recall, but should be on the checklist for all used car flips.
- Matt K., Sidney, ME, US