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Broken Tailgate Latch

J

justhrowit

Full Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2002
Messages
486
Location
Dallas, TX
I did a search and didn't come up with anything. My tailgate is broken. I first noticed that the lock was sticking a little bit. I sprayed some oil in there to see if it would loosen up, but it didn't help alkl that much. Oh well, right. Well this past weekend, I went to open the tailgate, and when I pulled up on the handle it felt normal when I heard a pop and.....nothing, the tailgate didn't open. I did get it open. What I have to do now is keep the key in the keyhole, keep tension on the key and then pull up on the handle...SLOWLY. I took everything out of the bed, and took off the bed covers (keeping them off and hidden from the Texas sun). I noticed that I don't need the key to stay in if the covers are off. Opens somewhat normally.

Anyone have this happen to them? If so...how much to get it fixed. I have an 02' Z71. Thanks in advance.

Jay

 
sounds like you either need to adjust the strikes, or the tailgate latches.
to adjust the strikes you will need to remove the taillights to hold the nut onthe backside. you will need a torx to loosen the strike on the other side.
the other optoin you have is to adjust the handle-to-latch rods on the inside of the tailgate.
it's hard for me to tell you which one will work best for you without actually seeing your problem in person.
 
Does'nt sound so bad. One question for you and I hope i don't sound like an idiot, but what's a Torx? Could you maybe post a pic or a link to show me what it is!

Jay

 
TORX is a tool....for TORX headed hardware....

It looks kinda like allen head but is more star shaped.....

HTH
 
The plastic cover around the outer handle just pops off. You may want to check that rod inside and see if the hanle presses on it correctly. It may need bent one way or the other. Mine was bent a little, and gave me fits, and with a little persuasion and a pair of pliers, it works fine now.
 
justhrowit said:
Does'nt sound so bad. One question for you and I hope i don't sound like an idiot, but what's a Torx? Could you maybe post a pic or a link to show me what it is!

Jay
Click to expand...


here is a pic of one. of course they come in different sizes; male and female. you want male.


47095.JPG
 
Morroccoz said:
The plastic cover around the outer handle just pops off. You may want to check that rod inside and see if the hanle presses on it correctly. It may need bent one way or the other. Mine was bent a little, and gave me fits, and with a little persuasion and a pair of pliers, it works fine now.
Click to expand...


the bezel around the handle is held in place by the two outer screws on the backside of the tailgate. once they are removed the bezel comes off. to adjust the rods that actuate the rods to either latch all you need to do is lengthen, or shorten, it's distance by placing it in a new position in the plastic device near the handle. i believe it is plastic. been a while since i have been in there.
also, check that the lever attached to the key lock cylinder sits inside the squared end loop of the rod actuator assembly (for lack of the proper name). it is possible it is not moving the squared loop up and down properly when you insert the key. "down" locks the gate. "up" unlocks the gate. maybe the extra pressure you have to apply could be aligning something that is misaligned. ??? like i said, "i can't really give you a straight forward answer without seeing it for myself."
 
Thanks to everyone. I've used a Torx...just never knew what they were called. I just call them a star shapped screw driver. Who knew? Anyway, I'll probably pop the cover off sometime soon and check things out. Thanks guys!!!!!!
 
TORX...now that we all know what it is does anyone know to pronounce it? Is it more like "tore ex" or "torks"?
 
Sorry to bring this thread back up after it's been dead for so long, but I wanted to thank those of you who posted here.  Last week, I went to open my tailgate and it wouldn't open.  the handle would rais up, but it acted like it was locked, even though it wasnt.  the lock was stuck in the unlock position, and wouldnt move.  I saw a huge repair bill from my dealer in my future.

thanks big time to Punisher for his advice about how to remove the plastic covering around the handle.  I had no idea what I was looking for but I went ahead and removed it anyway.  It was nothing more than the locking lever that goes up and down had rusted and was very difficult to move.  A few shots of wd-40 and i'm back in business. 

Thanks for the help

by the way, there are few things in life men MUST HAVE to survive, but wd-40 and duct tape are two of the most important... :)

fisk
 
Hey, thanks

I was trying to figure out how to adjust the latch on the tailgate key,  could not figure how to open the cladding around the key.

now i can adjust  and make it open, 

Oh, i have an 02, Z71,  and love it..  got 78,000 on first set of tires. 

 
I too have had the plastic release handle pop off of the release mechanism and just flop around like a fish out of water. I will pull the bezel cover and see if I can figure ou thow the release mechanism conncets to the plastic handle. Has anyone replaced this plastic handle with a metal one?
 
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