Tailgate Latch Siezed

tcracing425ex · October 26, 2008

it had actually started before i bought the truck a year ago, you had to basically slam it shut in order for the latches to grab. i thought no big deal some lube will make it good as new. well it didnt and all the lamming actually broke the plastic piece around the perimeter of the handle off which actually worked out good because when the tailgate stopped actually working all together i found out that i can push the latches close with my thumb by the handle.

has anyone else had this issue? what can i do to fix it?

jrrod2004 · October 26, 2008

it had actually started before i bought the truck a year ago, you had to basically slam it shut in order for the latches to grab. i thought no big deal some lube will make it good as new. well it didnt and all the lamming actually broke the plastic piece around the perimeter of the handle off which actually worked out good because when the tailgate stopped actually working all together i found out that i can push the latches close with my thumb by the handle.

has anyone else had this issue? what can i do to fix it?

it probably was the strike stud on the bed...

tcracing425ex · October 27, 2008

i have no clue what that is, any pics or anyway to explain where it is?

jrrod2004 · October 27, 2008

i have no clue what that is, any pics or anyway to explain where it is?

Download the file for the animation:

jrrod2004 · October 27, 2008

sometimes that can cause the gate to 'seize' up when the lock does not 'catch; on the striker properly.

tcracing425ex · October 27, 2008

that piece looks fine. how do i know if thats the issue or not?

97SierraGMC · October 27, 2008

thats not the problem..

if you lift up the handle and hold the tailgate up to the truck look in at the rods under the handle ... if you see them binding up or not moving freely spray them with some wd40..

we have to do that at our shop in winter all the time..

ujtruck · October 27, 2008

yep, do what 97SierraGMC says, I had same tailgate issue and did the same thing last winter, also for this winter....

here is what I spray first L512C - Liquid Wrench Dry Lube with PTFE then L616C - White Lithium Grease

this page you can see them and can buy them in any auto parts store

http://www.gunk.ca/products/automotive/lub...penetrants.html

tcracing425ex · October 29, 2008

i tried using PB blaster on it numerous times. throughout the whole latch system and havent had any luck yet. do you think its time to replace the system? how hard would that be?

Rat4go · October 30, 2008

The probable issue is that the springs in the latches on the ends of the tailgate aren't strong enough to overcome the rusty latch rods/mechanism at the handle, so they don't fully latch. Spray the handle moving bits with WD or your favorite lube and work it in. With the bezel off, it should take about 10 seconds and it'll be much mo' better. I helped a guy do his in the parking lot at Wal-mart yesterday. He had lubed the heck out of the latches on the ends of the gate with no luck, but that's not the problem.

FWIW, this is a once/year thing for me and my truck.

mcobb2 · October 30, 2008

Like everyone else has been saying, you have to spray it with WD-40 or whatever you prefer. The key is to work the latch otherwise it still won't work.

tcracing425ex · November 4, 2008

ok ill pick some up tomorrow and give it a try. whats the bazzel?

and sorry for taking so long to get back to you all im going to a tech school and working full time to afford all my crap so i dont really have time for the comp. lol

Rat4go · November 5, 2008

Bezel is the plastic piece around the handle (the piece you said fell off). You should be able to easily see and get to the spots where the rods connect to the handle mechanism, and to the pivot points in the handle mechanism that are likely HARD to move. If it's really stiff, you may need to spray the parts, then use your fingers to pull the arms that attach to the rods toward each other then away from each other. Spray where the rods attach AND where the arms that the rods attach to pivot, then make everything move both ways a dozen times or so, spraying inbetween. Pretty easy.....

If that doesn't work, you can disconnect the rods from the handle mechanism, then unbolt the handle from the tailgate and remove the handle and the mechanism thru the hole in the tailgate where the bezel was. Spray it and work in the lube 'til it moves freely, then reinstall mechanism and reattach the rods. Should work like a charm.

tcracing425ex · November 8, 2008

ok thanks a lot. ill give that a shot tomorrow. i have a full day away from bikes lol so ill occupy myself with the truck.... i guess im destined to be some type of mechanic lol does anyone know where i can get a new bezel?