Where are my Dang Tailgate cables?

CapnDean · November 30, 2004

So after having the deal replace my busted tailgate cable, I get a notice saying that they are gonna send us out some new Stainless steel ones that are not likely to bust.

Welp: Where are they? Anybody got the new ones yet? It's been nearly a year.

CapnDean

lrymal · November 30, 2004

So after having the deal replace my busted tailgate cable, I get a notice saying that they are gonna send us out some new Stainless steel ones that are not likely to bust.

Welp: Where are they? Anybody got the new ones yet? It's been nearly a year.

CapnDean

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

About three weeks ago on my '03 Z71....

Pewter Pro-Tec · November 30, 2004

Same deal as lrymal for my '03 as well, I think I got the letter telling me to make an appointment with the dealer around the middle of October, and I got the new cables put on the 3rd of November.

Frank S · November 30, 2004

The wife got hers about a month ago.

Chevy Tough · November 30, 2004

So after having the deal replace my busted tailgate cable, I get a notice saying that they are gonna send us out some new Stainless steel ones that are not likely to bust.

Welp: Where are they? Anybody got the new ones yet? It's been nearly a year.

CapnDean

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just go in at the dealership guns blazing and say Where's my god dang cables" then they should chicken out and hand them to ya, should work. When i got my notice for my cables, they just took my truck in and replaced them rite there without me waiting.

GM-Tech · December 1, 2004

So after having the deal replace my busted tailgate cable, I get a notice saying that they are gonna send us out some new Stainless steel ones that are not likely to bust.

Welp: Where are they? Anybody got the new ones yet? It's been nearly a year.

The new design cables began to be used in production around October 2003. It's likely that if you had your cables replaced after that, you got the new design cables. We didn't even know in the dealership that they were the new design because until the recall came out, we didn't know how to tell the difference. Externally they look pretty much the same as the old ones.

GM is able to track what was installed on your truck and if you got the new design installed, you will not get a recall notice. The letter you got was sent out regardless of any previous repairs, so it wasn't an indication if you needed them or not.

redvett · December 1, 2004

So after having the deal replace my busted tailgate cable, I get a notice saying that they are gonna send us out some new Stainless steel ones that are not likely to bust.

Welp: Where are they? Anybody got the new ones yet? It's been nearly a year.

The new design cables began to be used in production around October 2003. It's likely that if you had your cables replaced after that, you got the new design cables. We didn't even know in the dealership that they were the new design because until the recall came out, we didn't know how to tell the difference. Externally they look pretty much the same as the old ones.

GM is able to track what was installed on your truck and if you got the new design installed, you will not get a recall notice. The letter you got was sent out regardless of any previous repairs, so it wasn't an indication if you needed them or not.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ok Everyone my 04 Silverado was built 1st week of October and delivered to me on 11/28/03. I had my cables replaced with no problem. Here are the P/N's LH 88980509, & RH 88980510, 2 washers 15224331 The SS cables have heat shrink on the body end & are not sealed on the gate end.

GM-Tech · December 1, 2004

Ok Everyone my 04 Silverado was built 1st week of October and delivered to me on 11/28/03. I had my cables replaced with no problem. Here are the P/N's LH 88980509, & RH 88980510, 2 washers 15224331 The SS cables have heat shrink on the body end & are not sealed on the gate end.

Right. The key is the sealer. If you look at the crimp on the tailgate eyelet end, you'll see a clear sealer filling the end of the crimp if you have the old design, i.e. non-stainless, cables.

Though yours was built the first week of October, it might have been more towards the end of the month when the new cables began being used. I don't recall exact dates, just "october 2003".

03GMCinBC · December 2, 2004

Got mine replaced last weekend. Got the notice about 2 months ago, just couldnt find the time to drive to the states from here.

Finally did, 30 minutes to install and I was rolling again...

jhm · December 2, 2004

Ok Everyone my 04 Silverado was built 1st week of October and delivered to me on 11/28/03. I had my cables replaced with no problem. Here are the P/N's LH 88980509, & RH 88980510, 2 washers 15224331 The SS cables have heat shrink on the body end & are not sealed on the gate end.

Right. The key is the sealer. If you look at the crimp on the tailgate eyelet end, you'll see a clear sealer filling the end of the crimp if you have the old design, i.e. non-stainless, cables.

Though yours was built the first week of October, it might have been more towards the end of the month when the new cables began being used. I don't recall exact dates, just "october 2003".

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Have you had any people complain about the cables being slightly different lengths? The driver side on mine is shorter. With the tail gate down, the cable on tne passenger side is tight, the driver side has slight slack. My old ones were not like this. I have to put considerable weight on the driver side for it to take up the slack. The dealer originally put them on the wrong sides, after he fixed this, I still have the slack.

MS3DALE · December 2, 2004

Yes,we've had a few complaints about the length difference on some trucks,but other than trying another cable theres not much to fix it,there is just a difference in every cable produced (as far as it being cut to length or when the ends are put on)

GM-Tech · December 2, 2004

Have you had any people complain about the cables being slightly different lengths?

Yes. The first time someone complained, we tried everything. Replaced cables a couple times, tried swapping side to side, etc., etc. Finally went out and looked at half-dozen NEW trucks on the lot and found them to have slack in one side too, with some variations.

I don't believe it is a variation in the cables themselves. If you lay 'em side by side, they are, for all intents and purposes, identical in length. So it must be variations in the bed/gate/latches, etc.

GM came out with this...

----------

98 - 05 Chevrolet/GMC All Full Size and Mid Size Trucks Tailgate Cable Slack - kw 04007A GMT800 GMT325 GMT355 endgate tailgate liftgate loose back body bow door #PIT3227A - (Nov 19, 2004)

98 - 05 Chevrolet/GMC All Full Size and Mid Size Trucks Tailgate Cable Slack

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom described in the PI.

Condition/Concern:

Some customers may comment that with the tailgate down, one of the tailgate cables may have slack in it.

Recommendation/Instructions:

No repair attempts should be made as this is normal, due to build variation. In most cases when weight is put on the tailgate, the slack comes out of the cable.

**If involved, Campaign 04007A must be completed prior to referencing this information.**

Please follow this diagnosis process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed. If these steps do not resolve the condition, please contact GM TAC for further diagnostic assistance.

Models:

(98-05 Chevrolet Full and Mid Size Trucks) and (98-05 GMC Full and Mid Size Trucks)

.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

jhm · December 2, 2004

Have you had any people complain about the cables being slightly different lengths?

Yes. The first time someone complained, we tried everything. Replaced cables a couple times, tried swapping side to side, etc., etc. Finally went out and looked at half-dozen NEW trucks on the lot and found them to have slack in one side too, with some variations.

I don't believe it is a variation in the cables themselves. If you lay 'em side by side, they are, for all intents and purposes, identical in length. So it must be variations in the bed/gate/latches, etc.

GM came out with this...

----------

98 - 05 Chevrolet/GMC All Full Size and Mid Size Trucks Tailgate Cable Slack - kw 04007A GMT800 GMT325 GMT355 endgate tailgate liftgate loose back body bow door #PIT3227A - (Nov 19, 2004)

98 - 05 Chevrolet/GMC All Full Size and Mid Size Trucks Tailgate Cable Slack

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom described in the PI.

Condition/Concern:

Some customers may comment that with the tailgate down, one of the tailgate cables may have slack in it.

Recommendation/Instructions:

No repair attempts should be made as this is normal, due to build variation. In most cases when weight is put on the tailgate, the slack comes out of the cable.

**If involved, Campaign 04007A must be completed prior to referencing this information.**

Please follow this diagnosis process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed. If these steps do not resolve the condition, please contact GM TAC for further diagnostic assistance.

Models:

(98-05 Chevrolet Full and Mid Size Trucks) and (98-05 GMC Full and Mid Size Trucks)

.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

campaign 04007A, what is this? I have the new cables and slack on one side, they are saying this is normal? I wonder why my original cables were both tight with the gate down. I did measure them and the seem to be the same length, I used a tape measure, could be off by 1/8 inch or so.

03GMC2500HD · December 2, 2004

Had mine replaced several months ago. One thing that is odd is that they are supposed to be stainless steel yet a magnet sticks to them. Corrosion resistant SS is the 300 series stuff and magnets don't stick to them but the cheap 400 series SS is not that corrosion resistant and is mainly steel. So why go through all the BS of changing the cables if they are really not much better than what you already had. Just might take a little longer to break I guess. Ahhh...'Made in China" as the sticker on them says.

No different than the rusted stainless steel exhaust on our Durango!