When picking up the Durango from fiance's parent's house, the back gate would not open. The hatch unlocks but the struts both seem to be frozen in the closed position. Can not open enough to get tools into the area to undo either strut from the vehicle. How can these be unfrozen or how can we get the lift to open?
Thanks in advance

 

Are you sure it's actually unlatching? Does the bottom move at all after the clicking? It is possible to pull the inside trim panel with the gate closed, no screws.

 

Raises some and then sticks. Can get it up enough to see the struts but can not access the struts. Latch reconnects when pushing closed and releases each time

 

spray PB blaster