One of the things that needs to be done before removing the tailgate lock assembly is to open the tailgate and disconnect the negative terminal of the battery. Unclip the top inner trim with the right and the left side trim. Take out the retaining screws of the inside of the cover apertures, sides of the panel and handle recess by slackening and removing the retaining screws, and then removing the light unit access covers on the main trim panel. Make sure that you remove all the screws and unclip and remove main trim panel. The second step is to unscrew the retaining clip and undo the operating rod of the tailgate lock then trace and unconnect the wiring of the tailgate lock in case it has any. Unscrew the holding nuts and the washers to disassemble the lock assembly on the tailgate. The trim panel has an access cover that provides access to the lock cylinder housing, although it may prove difficult to remove the panel with the lock cylinder still present. Disassemble the retaining clips and the operating rods of the lock cylinder housing and trace and disconnect the wiring of the lock housing, where necessary. Looseen and screwdriver out the retaining nuts with the view to removing the lock cylinder housing together with the sealing ring, and retrieve any washers that could be lodged between the housing and the tailgate. Unscrew the wiper motor in tailgate, then flip the retaining clips and remove the three operating rods in the handle, remembering their proper places of attachment. Unscrew and unbolt the retaining bolts and washers, and manipulate the handle assembly to be out of position. To refit, reverse the procedure, making sure all the working rods firmly held in place by their clips and in place, and leave a little free travel in the linkage, about 1 mm. The length of the rod can be adjusted by moving the locking collar that does not attach to the thread outward and then re-inserting the rod into the adjuster and snapping it into place. Before replacing the trim panel to the tailgate, ensure that the parts of the lock assembly are working as intended. Lastly, check the operation of the locks and confirm that the tailgate fits against the body when closed and make adjustments to it by loosening the retaining nuts and adjusting the lock strikers to align with the lock and then tightening them to the recommended torque.