RearOuter door handle loose. Can it be tightened from outside, or does rear inner door panel have to be removed to try to tighten, 2008 H3.Thanks

 

Open the door and remove plug cap. Very easy to get at.

 

Plug cap? Do i remove plastic panel on door?

 

No No No. Inner door jam.

 

Still confused were your talking bout,can you explain a little more ,thanks

 

If you open the rear door, on the jamb of the actual door right near the door handle is a rubber plug that can be removed. It is black and the size of a fifty cent piece (remember them?).
Remove this plug and you will be able to get to screw holding door handle.
Hopefully it is just loose and needs tightening.
This is a clean job and relatively easy
Good luck

 

Found the plug and bolt. All was tight. I there another bolt holdin on handle?Still loose when you wiggle it, seems loose from other side of handle away from bolt. Or do i just need a new handle. Thanks again.

 

Probably new handle which you can access thru the jack access panel. The plastic in the end cap has probably broken. If you wait it will completely come apart and you will have to open it from inside the access panel.

 

I get the feeling that some are talking about a rear DOOR, left or right, and others about the rear gate that the spare tire hangs on.
How to open that gate from the inside was discussed as i recall, a year ago, with no answer from anyone.
I followed that thread and it got scary. if you mess in there and the electric unlock gets screwed up, so far,noone knows how to open the gate. a torch maybe!
If someone knows how,lets hear it now.

 

The gate you can reach up in from the rear and simply slide the rod over. If the rod has fallen off you can use a bent metal pick and pull on the release. I had to do that on a trip several times.