Silverado Tailgate Not Closing

[Bmuelle]

I have a 2000 Silverado and the tailgate refuses to shut on the first or second time I try to close it. I usually have to shut it 3 or 4 times before it stays closed. I tried WD40 on both latches but that fails to work.

[GENESPOOLS]

time to buy a new handle, couple a bolts, couple a clips your all done! you'll notice when you take the old one off it's a bit rusty and won't function properly[ at least mine was anyway] I took off from a lite once and the gate dropped down i thought someone took a shot at me , what a sound!!

[Bmuelle]

time to buy a new handle, couple a bolts, couple a clips your all done! you'll notice when you take the old one off it's a bit rusty and won't function properly[ at least mine was anyway] I took off from a lite once and the gate dropped down i thought someone took a shot at me , what a sound!!

 

Thanks for you response.

 

So are you telling me that the rusted handle is'nt allowing the two end latches to fully close and remain open when the tailgate is closed? Is this a complicated install?

[dietz4ibanez]

Yeah thats exactly right, its better to get it fixed right away because I put it off for a long time on my truck and it ended up getting stuck closed. I had never looked into it before so I was a little stumped at first.

 

 

One thing that always seems to make them last longer is keeping them lubed up with wd40 like you did and I always fully lift the handle and put it in the closed position and make sure that it is latched in place....

[Bmuelle]

Yeah thats exactly right, its better to get it fixed right away because I put it off for a long time on my truck and it ended up getting stuck closed. I had never looked into it before so I was a little stumped at first.

 

 

One thing that always seems to make them last longer is keeping them lubed up with wd40 like you did and I always fully lift the handle and put it in the closed position and make sure that it is latched in place....

Thanks for the advice.

[gmcjoe]

No need for a new handle. This happens on my 2000 GMC Sierra as well.

Once a year I take the handle bezel off and unbold the latch mechanisms on either side of the tailgate and re-grease them. Use real grease, not WD40, it will last much much longer

 

Takes just a few minutes and I'm back in business