2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Owners Manual

4. With the rear glass tilted toward you, lift it out from
the lower window frame channel. Use the grab
handles to assist you in removing the rear glass.
5. Load the rear glass in its storage pocket in the
midgate using the lower edge of the rear glass
to guide it behind the three rear glass retaining
tabs (E).
Hold the rear glass ¯at against the storage pocket
(with grab handles facing you) until the next step.
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6. Turn both glass lock knobs (D), located at both top
corners of the storage pocket, to the locked
position. You may need to push the corner of the
rear glass to allow the lock knob to engage
more easily.Once both glass lock knobs are in the locked
position, the rear glass is securely stored.
7. Push both latch levers (A) up to the locked position.
You should hear a click when each latch lever locks
correctly.
Rear seats can be returned to the normal position
when the rear glass is out and stored properly in the
storage pocket.
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Reinstalling the Rear Glass
To reinstall the rear glass, do the following:
1. Squeeze and pull down the latch levers (A), located
near the upper corners of the rear glass, so they
unlatch.
2. Hold the rear glass in place with one hand and turn
the glass lock knobs, located at both top corners of
the glass storage pocket, to the unlocked position.
3. Pull the rear glass out from the storage pocket using
the grab handles.4. With the rear glass tilted at an angle, place the
bottom edge in the lower channel of the window
frame.
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Be sure to align the rear
glass side-to-side using
the alignment arrows (G)
as shown in the picture.
5. Apply a ®rm downward pressure and then push the
rear glass ¯at against the window frame. Use the
grab handles at the top of the rear glass to
assist you.6. Use one hand to push the rear glass ¯at against
the window frame and with your free hand push
each latch lever up until it locks. You should hear a
click when each latch lever locks correctly.
Lowering the Midgate
The Midgate can be lowered to allow the cargo area of
your vehicle to extend into the cab. The rear glass
can be either installed in its normal position, or it can be
removed and stored in the rear glass storage pocket.
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To lower the Midgate, do the following:
1. Fold the rear seats. The front seats might have to
be moved forward slightly to allow the rear seats to
fold. See
Rear Seat Operation on page 1-8for
more information.
At this point you may choose to remove the rear
glass following the instructions given previously or
leave the rear glass in place.
2. Standing outside of the vehicle, place one hand
against the Midgate so it does not fall forward
unexpectedly. Turn the Midgate handle clockwise
and pull the Midgate toward you.3. Lower the Midgate until it is ¯at.
Rear Glass in Normal Position
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Standing outside of the vehicle, place one hand against
the crossbar so the Midgate does not fall forward
unexpectedly. Turn the Midgate handle clockwise and
pull the Midgate toward you.If you lower the Midgate with the rear glass in the
stored position, you will notice that the entire crossbar
(the bar with the release handle) will lower with the
Midgate. This is completely normal; however, since the
crossbar lowers with the Midgate, it will be heavier.
As you lower the Midgate in this con®guration be ready
for the extra weight and be careful not to let the
Midgate fall out of your hands as you lower it. Rear Glass Stored in Glass Storage Pocket
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Raising the Midgate
To return the Midgate to its normal position, raise the
Midgate up with a ®rm swinging motion (this will help to
ensure that the Midgate closes with enough force to
engage the latches) until it latches into place securely.
If the rear glass is removed and you would like to
put it back, do so using the instructions given previously.
Tailgate
Use the ignition/door key to unlock/lock the tailgate.
Open the tailgate by lifting up on its handle while pulling
the tailgate toward you.
To shut the tailgate, ®rmly push it upward until it
latches.
After you put the tailgate back up, pull it back towards
you to be sure it is latched securely.
Tailgate Removal
The tailgate on your vehicle can be removed to allow for
different loading situations. Although the tailgate can
be removed without assistance, you may want someone
to assist you with the removal to avoid possible
damage to the vehicle.
To remove the tailgate, do the following:
1. Raise the tailgate
slightly and release
both retaining
cable clips. To release
the retaining cable
clips, lift the cable so it
points straight out
and push the cable clip
forward.
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2. With the tailgate at a slight upward angle, pull back
on the tailgate at the right edge so it releases from
the block hinge (arrow) and then move the
tailgate to the right to release the left edge.Reverse the above procedure to reinstall. Make sure the
tailgate is secure.
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