Tailgate stuck closed, plastic clips are ok

Cblake · April 13, 2017

Greetings everyone, hoping someone here can help with this issue as it seems to be a little unique. My tailgate is stuck closed but the plastic clips and handle mechanism are all just fine. One of the rods (driver side) has become disconnected at the latch and I'm clueless on what to do.

Hoping someone has some tips before I resort to taking a sledgehammer or sawzall to it

O_J_Simpson · April 13, 2017

First step in asking for help. Tell us what you need help with. We have no idea what model truck you have issues with.

Dnt · April 13, 2017

Almost every single GM 2500HD work that we have has had a tailgate handle failure. If you lift the handle up as as far as you can and reach in underneath with a pair of needle nose pliers and grab the rod you can typically get a little extra movement and the tailgate will release so you can get it open and take it apart and fix. Go ahead and replace all the handle/rod parts and you will be good for a few more years. They just do not last very long under heavy usage.

muddkatt · April 13, 2017

I think he is saying that the rod came loose at the latch, not the handle.

I have no clue about that one.

Cblake · April 18, 2017

I think he is saying that the rod came loose at the latch, not the handle.

I have no clue about that one.

This is exactly the case. I know how the handle works, it's what happens inside the tailgate, on the outer edge, next to the tail lights.

Really hoping that there's a trick to jimmying the latch from inside the tailgate, but I've had zero luck with that, and the only other option I've seen is to cut through the striker bar with a sawzall

As for make/model - it's an 01 GMC Sierra, 5.3L Z71 my apologies for not including that, figured the solution would be similar for any tailgate regardless of make/model, but maybe I'm wrong here

muddkatt · April 18, 2017

Give me a couple of days and I will see if I can figure it out. I have to change the clips for the handle on my truck and they will be in later in the week.

Here is a guide that might help:

http://knowhow.napaonline.com/know-how-notes-how-to-fix-a-tailgate-handle/

Cblake · April 19, 2017

Thanks. From the pictures it looks like there are also plastic clips at the latch mechanisms too, guessing that's the culprit. Now to figure out how to get to it...

muddkatt · April 22, 2017

Well I took some time to look at it and have an answer.......

You will need to take a sawzall to the striker which is part # 20 on this diagram:

http://www.lmctruck.com/features/ce/CE9AA.htm

Once you cut the striker on the offending side, then you can let the tailgate down, remove the latches on each side, install new keepers and reconnect the latch rods.

Cut the striker as close to the tailgate as possible. The striker has a torx head in the end, so you will need enough remaining material to be able to grip it for removal. A small pipe wrench might work, or possibly a GOOD pair of vise grips. You may end up having to get someone to weld a nut on the end if you live in the rust belt. With the tailgate down, remove the tail light assembly and you should be able to get to the threads of the striker and lube it using PB Blaster, WD-40 or some other penetrating fluid.

After seeing your post, I am changing the outer clips with the set that just came in and ordering a second set to change the ones on the handle for next weekends project.

NOTE: I would guess that it is possible to get the rod back into the latch if you take enough time AND are lucky, but I don't know of an easy way to fish the rod back in.

Good luck and post your results.