Tailgate Handle Repair 76 C20

[John L]

The handle on the tailgate does not pull the rods to the latches when I work it in and out. I took the machine screws off the back and it flopped around a little but I could not figure out how the mecanism works to make a repair. I can't remove it without disconnecting the rods but there is no room to do that. Obviously something is disconnected but I can't see in there to figure it out. Does anyone have a diagram or can give good verbal directions?

 

Kind regards,

 

John

[John L]

The handle on the tailgate does not pull the rods to the latches when I work it in and out. I took the machine screws off the back and it flopped around a little but I could not figure out how the mecanism works to make a repair. I can't remove it without disconnecting the rods but there is no room to do that. Obviously something is disconnected but I can't see in there to figure it out. Does anyone have a diagram or can give good verbal directions?

 

Kind regards,

 

John

Ok, I got it figured out. I placed the tailgate on a table upside down and with the aid of a flashlight could see that the handle engages a swivel plate that swivels when you pull the handle. The two rods are attached to that and pull toward the center of the tailgate when the swivel plate turns. Unfortunately the center rivet on the swivel plate has worn or bent to an extent that the handle pulls past the engagement point and slides on the swivel plate instead of engaging it.

In other words, the swivel plate wobbles too much. The ideal solution would be to remove the handle and pound the rivet so it doesn't wobble any more but I can't seem to figure out how to disengage the rods from the swivel plate without some major tailgate surgery.

My solution is to drill a hole in the tailgate and put a machine screw near where the handle engages the swivel plate and tighten it just enough to keep the handle from jumping out of the engagement point.

Any other better solutions?

kind regards,

John