[theholycow]

My tailgate doesn't latch. I have to reach in and push the rods to make it latch. Is there a spring missing from my handle assembly? I don't see any spring whose job it is to push those rods.

I took these pictures with the handle assembly unbolted to make it easier to inspect...my good camera is missing so I apologize for the phone cam pics.

Straight-on view:

View from underneath:

View from above:

 

[MeanGreenZ71]

I have no idea.

Although looks like youve tried putting some WD40 on there already...good first step in the right direction IMO.

 

[theholycow]

Better than WD40, I used PB Blaster. After I was done with the PB Blaster (and after those pics) I used spray lithium grease but it didn't do the job.

 

[MeanGreenZ71]

Better than WD40, I used PB Blaster. After I was done with the PB Blaster (and after those pics) I used spray lithium grease but it didn't do the job.

Sweet. I dont even use WD40 anymore because of PB but alot of people around here dont seem to know about it :think:.

 

[JasonO]

The bars may have come unatached from the handle itself!?

 

[theholycow]

I don't see anything that looks unattached or broken. The handle does unlatch the gate well enough, and the rods are seated in the whatchamacallits with the colored plastic thingies attached.

I push the whatchamacallits, not the rods themselves, when I want to make it latch...I guess I could have been more clear in the first post.

 

[CHVY4LF]

Try lubing the latches them selve on the sides of the tailgate

 

[96z-71]

The center piviot always rust on these. You can try lubing it, work it back and forth, and lube it again.

 

[bodyman369]

The center piviot always rust on these. You can try lubing it, work it back and forth, and lube it again.

x2 I also sat mine on my work bench and hit the back side of the pin with a hammer and center punch it works like a new one now.

 

[Jameson]

:rofljest: @ "Failgate"

 

[theholycow]

So it's not missing a return spring? How does the stuff return to latched position without a spring?

Maybe I'll remove it from the tailgate and try working on it on the bench.

By "bench" I mean...tailgate. But, the other side of the tailgate. :crazy:

 

[Denaliano]

sure the handle itself isn't broken? It flops up and down?

 

[theholycow]

The handle happily releases the latch, and doesn't flop when it's latched.

 

[Denaliano]

the outer latches are binding imo

 

[Tim W]

more than likely, its the center pivot, it gets shit in there with the rust and either keeps it in the full open position or full closed


another piss-poor design on these trucks


try closing and latching your tailgate and then removing the handle assembly and see if it gives you any issues latching, pull the latch rods together, that should rule out anything between the latches and the handle

 

[96z-71]

So it's not missing a return spring? How does the stuff return to latched position without a spring?

you might even be better off getting a new one, they are not to much $ :imo

 

[LiftedVictory]

Like stated above lube latches themselves. OH and clean the piss outta the center pivot.

 

[theholycow]

Well, that picture answers the question of whether there's a missing spring...there is not.

I'll have to take everything apart, clean the hell out of it all, and lube it all.

Eh, $21 on Rockauto.com and their picture shows a spring that I don't have. Look on the left...

 

[96z-71]

Well, that picture answers the question of whether there's a missing spring...there is not.

I'll have to take everything apart, clean the hell out of it all, and lube it all.

Eh, $21 on Rockauto.com and their picture shows a spring that I don't have. Look on the left...

i dont see a spring :hmm:

 

[theholycow]

On the left side, there's some silver stuff that looks like a spring to me.