XJ rear hatch not opening

[brianjronk]

I have a 98 XJ and just recently I have not been able to open my rear hatch. Does anybody know why this is and any suggestions on how I can fix it?

 

[JEEParon]

Uh oh!! been wheelin it hard??? sounds like your uni-body is a little tweaked

 

[Paulie]

if you can, pull the panal off the hatch and where it locks there is a small latch where it will be it closed. take a screw driver and it easily pops open.

 

[bulzeye]

prybar

 

[brianjronk]

Hmmm... nothing seems to be working. There's no way to get the panel off the door without having it open. I tried getting a screwdriver in there trying to pop something up, but nothing worked.... any other suggestions?