Tailgate won't open

LSVLance · November 4, 2006

Upon further investigation (after breaking the tabs that hold my tailgate latch handle cover on... ) I discovered that the plastic clip on the handle end of one of the rods that runs from the latch to the handle broke and allowed the rod to come loose from the handle. When I stuck the rod back into the handle, I was able to open the tailgate but the rod won't stay put in the handle.

(1) is this a"normal" break and

(2) can I get just those clips that go on the end of the rod from the dealer or is there another fix to hold that rod back in the handle?

Thanks

Oh... It's a GMC 2002 2500 hd

GM-Tech · November 4, 2006

Not sure what you consider a "normal" break, but in any case, the clip is definitely broken. You can probably get that clip by itself, but you will have to check with the dealer parts department. It's entirely possible that it only comes with the rod itself, but in any case, it can't cost that much.

LSVLance · November 4, 2006

Dealer says the clip only comes with the latch... He had some other retainers kind of like it....but they didn't fit in the hole.

I'm going to try to bandaid it with plastic zip ties.

I did pick up a new tailgate latch bezel for $20.00 while there though...

I'm not putting it on until I'm sure I've got the other problem fixed...

Thanks for your help.

GM-Tech · November 4, 2006

Dealer says the clip only comes with the latch... He had some other retainers kind of like it....but they didn't fit in the hole.

Go to the dealership's body shop. They usually have a much bigger assortment of the various clips used on a vehicle. They might even have a damaged handle/tailgate laying around that they'll steal a clip off of. Also, techs tend to save these sorts of things because they know if the break/lose one, they're difficult to get. So you could ask some of the body shop techs.

LSVLance · November 6, 2006

Thanks, that's a good idea.

I was able to jerry rig it with two very small zip ties and it appears to be holding for now. If it pops off again, I'll head to the body shop at the dealers.