Tailgate Latches (newbie's 1st Post)

fishkiller5 · October 13, 2009

The tailgate on my '07 Sierra Classic falls open periodically. I checked both latches and lubed them up. While doing that I noticed that on one side the latch goes "over" the striker (like an upside down "U") and on the other side the latch goes "under" the striker, so that the striker is sitting in the "U". Is this correct? I assumed both sides should latch the same way. I bought my truck used, so I don't know its complete history.

fish

mfennema · October 13, 2009

Welcome to the forum! Please provide some pics if you could so it is easier to understand your question. Pics are best utilized by posting them on snapfish or some website like that and then linking them to the forum.

Welcome again!

fishkiller5 · October 15, 2009

Here are pictures of each latch. One latches from the "top", the other from the "bottom". Is one of them the wrong latch?

http://www5.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/Al..._NAME=snapfish/

mfennema · October 15, 2009

It looks like the latches are closed in the pictures. When you pull the handle, the latch should rotate down and open up so that the strikers can go into the "U" portion and then rotate up and latch shut. Do these U pieces rotate when you pull the handle after its been closed? Its a bit difficult to tell the exact issue without seeing how everything goes together.

pwall · October 15, 2009

I had a very similiar issue with my '07 just last month.

It had to go into the dealership to have it looked at. They replaced the handle mechanism in the tailgate.

Works great now....tail gate closes just like any of the doors. ie. does not have to be slammed (no door should really).

Tried to view your 2 photos but it only would let me see one, unless I joined snapfish.

pwall · October 15, 2009

BTW, welcome to

fishkiller5 · October 16, 2009

Hi - I intentionally closed the latches for these pictures - the handle mechanism works fine. What seems odd to me is that the one of the latches looks "upside" down compared to the other i.e. the driver side rotates "over" (upside down U) and the passenger side rotates "under" (rightside up U). I assumed they'd both latch the same way - am I wrong or is one of the latches the wrong one?

mfennema · October 16, 2009

I just went out and checked mine out on my 07 GMT-900 Sierra and it has the latches the exact same way as yours. One points up and one points down.

56kz2slow · October 16, 2009

I just went out and checked mine out on my 07 GMT-900 Sierra and it has the latches the exact same way as yours. One points up and one points down.

Sounds like both latches are identical instead of having a left and right specific latch. For that reason one installed upside down.

chrt396 · October 17, 2009

Lubricate them with some Lithium grease and re-try. Maybe the latches are not completely going around the striker. It's possible...and cheaper than replacing.

rriale1 · October 19, 2009

I have the exact samething happeing to me. I have to shut the tailgate 3+ times to get it to latch. It seems like something in the handle is sticking. PWALL how much did it cost you at the dealer to get it fixed? I was thinking of doing it myself. But time is hard to comeby these days.

buddy95z · October 20, 2009

I had the exact same problem on my 04. You have to pull the bezel off from around the tailgate handle and, using a spray lubricant of your choice (I chose WD-40), spray the handle mechanism down good. Careful, cause the excess will run down the tailgate.

What's happening is that when you open the tailgate and release the handle, the mechanism sticks and doesn't allow the latches to go back to there "catch" position. So when you go to close the tailgate again, it's like you're partially holding the handle open and it either won't catch or barely does and then falls when you hit a bump in the road.

***CAUTION: You can VERY easily break the bezel when taking it off. Gently pull down from the top of the tailgate while pulling out. I've done a couple and still managed to break the one on my father-in-law's truck. The good news is that its only about $25-30 at the dealer.

Hope this helps.

Buddy

pwall · October 20, 2009

I have the exact samething happeing to me. I have to shut the tailgate 3+ times to get it to latch. It seems like something in the handle is sticking. PWALL how much did it cost you at the dealer to get it fixed? I was thinking of doing it myself. But time is hard to comeby these days.

Didn't cost me anything (other than the time) as it was covered under warrenty.

The tailgate now closes so easily.....the way it should be. ;)