Tailgate Wont Shut.

[Z71kris]

Well as the title states, my tailgate wont shut unless I really slam the s out of it? Some times it takes two or three slams to get it to latch. Any Ideas? Truck is in the sigi..Thanks all!

[Bostonsfavson]

May just be the latches are not opening/closing properly and this is causing issues when coming in to contact with the striker. Did you try spraying the latches real well with some type of lubricant (WD-40, PB Blaster, etc.)? This will usually do the trick.

 

 

*Edit: Also make sure that the strikers are tight. Sometimes they loosen up and this will cause the tailgate not to latch properly.

[Z71kris]

Well I should have before posting, but I wanted to see if any body else has had similar probs with their truck, but you probably have and that was what you did..so I will try tomorrow and see if it helps..

[Bostonsfavson]

Yep, I've had both problems. In fact, I had the loose striker problem on the truck I have now; happened when it was only two weeks old. They must have forgot to tighten it properly at the factory.

[Z71kris]

Yep, I've had both problems. In fact, I had the loose striker problem on the truck I have now; happened when it was only two weeks old. They must have forgot to tighten it properly at the factory.

 

 

If the lube dont work, how do I tighten up the strikers?

[Bostonsfavson]

I can't remember how to do it on the GMT800s, but on the 900s you have to remove the tail light. This allows you to access the nut on backside of the striker, which is threaded. Then all you have to do is hold the striker and tighten the nut, or vice-versa. It sounds like more of a pain than it really is.

[Guest Riggs]

lift the handle while closing....

 

works for me perfect on my new tailgate i cant slam it, but when i pull up on the handle then close it it works like a charm

[jhoff8487]

Mine was doing the same thing...however, I've still got a warranty. They replaced the handle and the lock mechanism and it's working like new again. Like Riggs said...lifting the handle and gently closing and releasing the handle works as well. I lived with it that way for a few weeks.

[solarjustin]

I had the same problem with my '04 and lifting the handel did not work, but taking the handel trim off and getting some lube on the scissor mechanismen made it work like new. I have noticed after about a year and a half it is starting to not always close 1st try, must be time to spray it with some more lube.

[ujtruck]

I have the same tailgate issue too... but only during the winter, also locking mechanism get frozen (so I never lock my tailgate) every once in a while I spray liquid wrench and white lithieum grease.

 

sorry about the spellings.

[silveradocoa]

mine does it and its because of the plastic drop in bedliner, one side sticks out a lil too far and pushes on the tailgate makin it a lil harder to close. also have to push in a lil to unlatch it

[mi.bowtie]

What isutechman above said.