badboy2
Full Member
im gonna try it but i would like to look for a replacement if possible,i dont think the pb blaster will resolve it from the way it looks.
Dads04Z71 said:When I replaced my tailgate handle assembly, I noticed the moving parts on the old one were significantly rusted, which was making it difficult to both lock and unlock when turning the key. When I installed the new handle assembly, I liberally greased all the moving parts. No problem since.
Quick fix: remove the plastic bezel, spray the moving parts with PB Blaster, then wipe the rust off and wipe dry. Follow up with greasing the moving parts. White or lithium grease will work just fine.
Prior to installing the bezel, to ensure the key latch (or tang) and lock mechanism are both in the same position (both in lock or in unlock).
Regard, Joe
Dads04Z71 said:I had hoped the removal and installation of the tailgate handle assembly would be easy, based on many of the posts I read on this forum. It was not to be.
After I removed the 3 screws holding the handle assembly in place and releasing the two cables, no amount of maneuvering, fiddling, tugging or pulling would allow the assembly to come out of its "nest". I came upstairs and reread some of the posts and one suggested removing the inner tailgate skin, another said to remove the tailgate top trim (spoiler) which is held on by 3M two way tape.
Neither sounded appealing so my solution, for those of you who run into the same problem, was to cut out a small piece of the plastic directly in front of the latch assembly. I used a Dremel (rotary) tool with a small cutting disk and sliced off about 3/4" of plastic. Only took a few seconds and then the old assembly came out easily and the new one went right in. Photo below taken after the cut and old latch removed. Arrows show where the cut was made. The missing plastic is way up behind the handle and is not visible in any way.
I had to do this same cut...I believe there must be several differant design tailgates or more people would run into this same problem. There was NO WAY it was going to come out without cutting off an inch of this flap of fiberglass. (Or prying off the plastic tailgate lip) Once cut, mine also went on easy and cannot be seen. Also, I found my complete replacement latch that looks IDENTICAL to Chevy's for $24 delivered on Ebay!
avalanchuck said:Has anyone tried one of these billet handles from Grippin Billet?