Weak Tailgate Attachments

flatlander · October 10, 2005

Noticed that the top tailgate cable attachment bolts on my 2003 Silverado are bent!!! These bolts are awful scimpy and not well braced at all. The most weight I have ever had on the tailgate is an ATV when loading and then only half the ATV weight is on the tailgate at any one time. Am very disappointed in the poor quality of the tailgate attachments. Never had this problem with any other pickup I have had and that includes a 95, three S-10's, two Ford full-size pickups. These are the bolts mounted on the pickup box itself, not the bolts on the other end of the cable in the tailgate.

Has anyone else had the problem

silverad03 · October 10, 2005

Although I don't doubt the mounting of the cable bolts is not well braced, I've loaded my sportbike (~400 lbs for the bike + 180 with me on it) via ramp from the ground to the tailgate numerous times with no problems as of yet. I took a good look at the bolts you speak of just last week after I loaded the bike and so far so good! I'm keeping my fingers crossed though.

bob1527 · October 11, 2005

my truck is pretty much built out of bondo (from the previous owner. hey i wanted a nbs but i only had the money for a obs ford). the paint is in decent condition though, but the first week i got it i was sitting on the tailgate and i noticed that only one cable was supporting the weight, the other cable seemed like it was longer than the other. so i bought 2 new cables, but it was the same thing. then i noticed some bondo work on the corner of the bed. anyway, so yeah, one of my bolts is a good half an inch lower than the other, it sucks.

sorry, i know that doesnt really reflect your problem, i just wanted to out that info.

mmmikkke · October 11, 2005

my truck is pretty much built out of bondo (from the previous owner. hey i wanted a nbs but i only had the money for a obs ford). the paint is in decent condition though, but the first week i got it i was sitting on the tailgate and i noticed that only one cable was supporting the weight, the other cable seemed like it was longer than the other. so i bought 2 new cables, but it was the same thing. then i noticed some bondo work on the corner of the bed. anyway, so yeah, one of my bolts is a good half an inch lower than the other, it sucks.

sorry, i know that doesnt really reflect your problem, i just wanted to out that info.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey, my brand new '05 has one tight cable and one that's slack also. So maybe it *is* relevant. All the load is on one side until things bend to make things equal.

jctb · October 11, 2005

Flatlander,

When putting my new Steel Straps (dependable-straps.com) on my truck I also noticed the top attaching bolts are bent. I took the taillight off and they look like they are secure enough, but the sheet metal is thin and allows the bolts to move. You can move the bolts back to straight with a pliers. I haul my snowmobile in my truck. I don't think it will be a problem for me but I did make the chains on my ramp longer so I can hook them to the tie downs in the bed of the truck instead of the tailgate straps (cables). If something should break while loading or unloading the ramp won't fall all the way to the ground.

JCTB

drumset5994 · October 11, 2005

If anybody gets the problem where they cant shut their tailgate, because the rubber around the latch bolts has worn down, i have a quick easy trick...

Wrap electrical tape TIGHTLY around the studs, to almost create new solid rubber. Locks tight again, works like a dream.

Sorry to post whore...dunno if that is what people were wondering.

flatlander · October 13, 2005

Flatlander,
When putting my new Steel Straps (dependable-straps.com) on my truck I also noticed the top attaching bolts are bent. I took the taillight off and they look like they are secure enough, but the sheet metal is thin and allows the bolts to move. You can move the bolts back to straight with a pliers. I haul my snowmobile in my truck. I don't think it will be a problem for me but I did make the chains on my ramp longer so I can hook them to the tie downs in the bed of the truck instead of the tailgate straps (cables). If something should break while loading or unloading the ramp won't fall all the way to the ground.

JCTB

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

John

Sure like the Steel Straps! I found some large diameter 'body' washers to install on the upper tailgate attachment bolts. Was able to straighten the bent body metal on the box and then install the 1 1/2 inch washers in hopes that the larger washers will help distribute the weight over a larger area and maybe help with the bending problem. The original bolts have a small washer and it is permanently attached to the bolt so I just left it intact but put on the 1 1/2 inch washer on. There is room for an even larger washer but I could not find any.