Tailgate On 03 Silverado Does Not Close Properly

bkesting · June 1, 2008

I have a 2003 Silverado. The tailgate recently has begun not latching when I try to close it. The only way I can get it to latch is to really slam the tailgate shut pretty hard several times to get it to catch. What should I look for to fix this?

Thanks.

jrrod2004 · June 2, 2008

try adjusting the striker (the bolt that sticks out where the tailgate closes) either up or down, usually up will fix the problem, unless your mechanism inside the gate is busted

svensk · June 2, 2008

I like slamming the living crap out of mine. Drives me nuts though if my wife put something in the bed, because the tailgate will always pop-open on the road.

bkesting · June 3, 2008

try adjusting the striker (the bolt that sticks out where the tailgate closes) either up or down, usually up will fix the problem, unless your mechanism inside the gate is busted

You mean the two pins that are on each side of the truck bed that the latch latches onto? To me it doesn't look like those can be adjusted.

June 3, 2008

take off the plastic bezel, and spray wd-40 in there we have to do it all the time to trucks here in winter.....

sometimes the rods actually get hung up on inside of the tailgage.

BigJayDogg3 · June 3, 2008

take off the plastic bezel, and spray wd-40 in there we have to do it all the time to trucks here in winter.....

sometimes the rods actually get hung up on inside of the tailgage.

Yep. Happened to me last year. Gave it to my dad, and he fixed it for me. Don't know what it is he did. Didn't ask, didn't tell.

bkesting · June 3, 2008

take off the plastic bezel, and spray wd-40 in there we have to do it all the time to trucks here in winter.....

sometimes the rods actually get hung up on inside of the tailgage.

Yep. Happened to me last year. Gave it to my dad, and he fixed it for me. Don't know what it is he did. Didn't ask, didn't tell.

So basically, just remove the latch assembly, lubricate with WD-40 and that should help?

BigJayDogg3 · June 3, 2008

Seems to be the easiest solution, and if it doesn't work, you can move to more drastic methods like repositioning the pins.

svensk · June 3, 2008

be careful removing the bezel. it might break trying to snap it back on. thats what happened to me I had to order a new one off of ebay.

ATMINF · June 3, 2008

I would also say that it is the striker. The two bolt things that the tailgate catches on the bed. I had one of mine that was just barely a 1/4 inch "pushed forwad and it would not catch. I just loosened it and adjusted its position and now the tailgate catches properly. It only takes a allen wrench to loosen then tighten up. Not hard to do.

jrrod2004 · June 3, 2008

I would also say that it is the striker. The two bolt things that the tailgate catches on the bed. I had one of mine that was just barely a 1/4 inch "pushed forwad and it would not catch. I just loosened it and adjusted its position and now the tailgate catches properly. It only takes a allen wrench to loosen then tighten up. Not hard to do.

Yeah where the tailgate catches onto. there is a star/hex bolt there, loosen it, and push upward. If I can, I will post pics...

bkesting · June 3, 2008

I would also say that it is the striker. The two bolt things that the tailgate catches on the bed. I had one of mine that was just barely a 1/4 inch "pushed forwad and it would not catch. I just loosened it and adjusted its position and now the tailgate catches properly. It only takes a allen wrench to loosen then tighten up. Not hard to do.

Yeah where the tailgate catches onto. there is a star/hex bolt there, loosen it, and push upward. If I can, I will post pics...

Thanks for the tips.....I'll take a look at it tonight.

mi.bowtie · June 3, 2008

Just spray the bejesus on the operating rods at the latch behind the the plastic bezel with penetrating oil. when it frees up, spray with white grease(pene-lube). job done.

10 minutes.

jrrod2004 · June 4, 2008

this is what I was talking about....loosen up the screw, push it up, and retighten...should work (it should only move up 1-3 millimeters)

bkesting · June 4, 2008

this is what I was talking about....loosen up the screw, push it up, and retighten...should work (it should only move up 1-3 millimeters)

Well, I loosened those bolts and moved them to all sorts of different positions and no luck. It just seems like the tailgate is not catching the bolts. I sprayed some WD-40 behind the latch after I loosened it, but it hasn't done anything either.