We live in the country and my 09 Escape has developed a slightly loose tailgate or rear door if you will and as such I am getting alot of dust coming in around the tailgate. You can see that is is not sealing about 2/3 of the way around. I cannot seem to find how to adjust the pin that the latch catches as the latch in the tailgate is non adjustable it seems.

Thanks for anyone that can help.

 

Ours isn't here now so I can't simply go and look at it. But many Ford Cars and trucks over the years have had door/tailgate/hatch striker bolts that were adjustable. The striker bolts have a Torx-sized recess in the end of them. Loosened with a proper-sized Torx bit on a ratchet, they could be slid around for adjustment. Inside the body panel was a captive plate with an integral nut that the striker bolt threads into.

I always wash and dry the area around a striker bolt to get it clean, and then apply some masking tape to outline the striker bolt's washer, or use a Sharpie marker to do the same, as it is easy to go astray without having the original setting for reference.

The manual says to remove the scuff plate first, and the Striker Bolt Torque is 30 Ft. Lbs.

 

Thanks for the info, I'll give it a go after work today.