Tailgate bushings

[MGnoob]

I’ve had bad luck finding the replacement hard plastic bushings that go on the bottom of either side of your tailgate. I’ve bought several sets online that don’t fit and even gotten some from the dealer. I don’t remember exactly what happened with the dealer ones I think one set just didn’t last long at all, Like less than a month. If I’m remembering correctly, the first ones they gave me didn’t fit…
 

Any advice I’ve been all over the Internet I just so tired of ordering stuff and having to return it or the cost of it and throwing it out.

 

2015 GMC Sierra 1500

Edited August 14, 2025 by MGnoob

[sk]

I got tired of them wearing out too.

Just buy one of these and never look back (mine's been installed for almost 10 years without any problems):

https://www.deezee.com/home/productdescription/17904/Truck-Tailgate-Assist

[rav3]

3 hours ago, MGnoob said:

I’ve had bad luck finding the replacement hard plastic bushings that go on the bottom of either side of your tailgate. I’ve bought several sets online that don’t fit and even gotten some from the dealer. I don’t remember exactly what happened with the dealer ones I think one set just didn’t last long at all, Like less than a month. If I’m remembering correctly, the first ones they gave me didn’t fit…
 

Any advice I’ve been all over the Internet I just so tired of ordering stuff and having to return it or the cost of it and throwing it out.

 

2015 GMC Sierra 1500

I remember watching a video on this on YouTube some months ago. This guy found an issue with the pivot area that was causing the issue. Once he fix it, his bushings didn't wear out. I'd suggest searching YouTube for a fix if you haven't already.

Here's the video I was talking about. hope it helps.

 

Edited August 14, 2025 by rav3

[MGnoob]

10 hours ago, sk said:

I got tired of them wearing out too.

Just buy one of these and never look back (mine's been installed for almost 10 years without any problems):

https://www.deezee.com/home/productdescription/17904/Truck-Tailgate-Assist

do you need any of the original bushings in there at all? Mine doesn’t have any right now. I wish I fixed this before the corner of my tailgate got bent. It’s not a big deal as long as I’m the only one to use the tailgate but anybody else does it the tailgate fall off they got all jacked up on there.

 

I’m definitely gonna buy these but as it is now, mine doesn’t always open all the way to flat unless you mess with it so I guess what I’m asking is will this resolve that or do I need the bushings still?

Edited August 15, 2025 by MGnoob

[MGnoob]

Yeah, I’m definitely gonna give this one a try only this brand because I’m putting on their leveling kit and an inch and a half a block whenever I get my ass out of bed and go to the shop
 

 

[JimCost2014]

It's not that plastic bushing that is the problem. There is a damper that is located inside the fender on the passenger side, that is what the bushing sits on. As it wears out, it loses its ability to slow down the tailgate when it is dropped. Pretty simple fix but still should last longer than it does.

[JimCost2014]

At 4:20 seconds in the video, you can see the damper disappearing into the bed wall, that is the part that has failed.

[MikeBMW]

I made a video on the dampers a bit ago ...

 

[sk]

Right, but when the damper fails then a few weeks later it causes the plastic bushings to crack.  So you end up replacing both time-after-time.

 

OP - yes you still need the bushings in there or the tailgate will be loose.  But once you install the DeeZee cylinder you won't ever have to replace the bushing or damper again!

Edited August 28, 2025 by sk