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Tailgate won't latch

komradebob

komradebob

Full Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2005
Messages
20
Location
Scenic Speigletown, N.Y.
The tailgate on my 06 won't latch shut.

Same thing happened to my 02.

I've taken the thing apart, wd40'd it, PB blasted it, cleaned it, degunk'd it, lub'd it, etc.  None of these last mor than a few days at most. I gave up and installed a bungee cord, but that is really sub-optimal.

If this has happened to the two that I've owned, this cannot be a coincidence. What is the collektive wisdom on repairing it?
 
You can try adjusting the strikers
 
Replace the handle, Mine did the same thing. Messing with it every few weeks got old....plus whenever it would drop while I was driving would scare the sh i t t t t outta me,nthe heavy tailgate is very loud when it drops  :laugh:
 
my tail gate would stop opening so i had to replace it and then its wouldnt close so i had to dink around with the pully system,bar links it was a pain is the a$$ :E:
 
try an electric tailgate lock actuator.

the tailgate lock mechanism might have been tampered with, so remove the bezel and make sure the springs are in the right place and the slides move freely with some silicone lubricant
 
Latch has never been tampered with, nor does it need adjusting.  It just appears that the latch is all gummed up. I've WD40'd it and tried other things, but it doesn't stay fixed for more than a day or so. When I pull the cover, I can move things around with a screwdriver, but the latch remains in the 'open' position once it is pulled open with the handle. After that it won't latch shut again, just as if you tried to close it while holding the handle up.

As I said, this is my second AV with the identical problem. Really sounds like a design/mfr problem....
 
yes i agree with you on the design as being flawed. if you compair a silveredo handle to the avalanches the silverado has a better design. the avalanche has too many components and is only depends  on one side to release
 
This is a simple test, so it might help.
To test latch I do this.
With tailgate down.
Use a screwdriver to push the latch into a locked position.
If it locks, unlock it with the tailgate handle. Nothing wrong.

If the latch says spring back to a open position, not latching.
It's just a rod adjustment. You can do this with the tailgate open.
Under the tailgate bezel. You should see a green plastic clip. Clamped around a threaded rod.
Open the plastic clip. Push the latch into a locked position. Re-close the plastic clip. Test with the handle. If everything works. Go ahead and close the tailgate and give a good tug.
 
If it's really gummed up, WD40 might be making it worse. It's not a cleaner and can attract dirt...why we learned not to use it on throttle linkage bellcranks, usually after the first time the throttle stuck open.
 
on my '04 the first time it happened, the dealer replaced (under warranty)
after that I started using Fluid Film...  works well, never had the issue again.

My father-in-law's pickup had the same problem.  we took it apart and basically lubed it/ worked it/ tweeked it until the handle was "floppy"
 
Sorta proud of myself, I read posts on here, removed the bezel around the handle, sprayed WD-40 around the linkage, and more importantly, adjusted the clips/threaded rod. One of the clips broke in half and dropped down into the tailgate, but strangely, the rod stays on the part that is still attached to the linkage. It worked! No slamming, just closing the tailgate latches it every time now. I noticed before doing this the latches did not latch at all pushing them with a screw driver with the tailgate open. That was a red flag for me. Also, the lock was getting harder to lock, and that is smooth as butter now too. Thank you people who posted about this.

BTW, For now the rods are ok, but I know I need new clips. Does anyone know what size rod the '03s have or the specific clips to look for? Thanks
 
chris77 said:
Sorta proud of myself, I read posts on here, removed the bezel around the handle, sprayed WD-40 around the linkage, and more importantly, adjusted the clips/threaded rod. One of the clips broke in half and dropped down into the tailgate, but strangely, the rod stays on the part that is still attached to the linkage. It worked! No slamming, just closing the tailgate latches it every time now. I noticed before doing this the latches did not latch at all pushing them with a screw driver with the tailgate open. That was a red flag for me. Also, the lock was getting harder to lock, and that is smooth as butter now too. Thank you people who posted about this.

BTW, For now the rods are ok, but I know I need new clips. Does anyone know what size rod the '03s have or the specific clips to look for? Thanks
Click to expand...
Clips on Amazon. Get gray ones. Around 20 for 11.00 dollars.
 
Last November 18th, I Disassembled the tailgate on my '04 and repaired all that was wrong with it, here is part of the thread with pictures (scroll down once you click the link):

What did you do to your Avalanche today?

I authorized a new fuel pump. Can't wait to get it back.
www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com

Hopefully you can see how I modified the OEM clips, I put a nut on the end to keep the rod from pulling thru and added a tie wrap to help hold the clip latched., I made this repair nearly a year ago.. NO ISSUES since.
1663698346330.png
 
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I need to get a couple nuts for the end. I replaced the broken handle and now I can't get it to open so I'm thinking the rods need adjusting but nothing I've read anywhere says how. I'll figure it out, but when I do get it set right, I don't want them to ever slip off
 
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