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tailgate not unlatching

Pepperidge

Pepperidge

Member Advocate
Messages
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Location
Slidell, La
Well yesterday I went to open the tailgate and it didn't open...feels and sounds like only one side is disengaging... I don't want to ruin/chip paint by prying just yet...what is the common solution anyone has found to getting one open that is doing this...

I'm thinking that removing the bezel and maybe see which rod may not be moving when pulling on the handle...

tips?
suggestions?
 
GM-15545178

is that site where you bought the clips from or did you just buy local to get it done quick?

I have to take my bezel off yet...and the tabs are broken like in that article...so I have it 3M taped and didn't feel like fighting it today in the rain...

I guess I'll find out tomorrow...
 
I went to the dealer for them, $1.39 each.

My suggesting would be to buy more than you need.

I dropped one while installing it and it fell into the tail gate never to be seen again.

Another tip for you. I also had to drill out the hole in the latch a little so I could get it all back together. There was no way the clip with the rod inserted was going back through the hole in the latch.
 
Put the clip in first then slip the rod in the clip, then rotate the clip to lock on the rod.
 
I had this happen on my '97 also. Not that the GM part is expensive its just tedious going to get little clips like this. So I just used some zip ties. I picked some smallish ones. I think I used two per rod end.

I put the rod back in the hole then zipped above it on the latch and around the rod interlocking the zip ties. I tighten them a little at the time until I liked the way they cinched up. iirc I cut off my first attempt but the second seems to be holding fine. Seems to be holding fine about 6-9 months now.

Again not that the part is expensive from GM but time and fuel to go get the little things cost too. The zip ties I already had on hand.
 
By the way I used some Fluid Film to lubricate my tailgate and it feels better than it ever has and the lubrication has stayed put longer than anything else I have ever tried.

While the bezel was off I spritzed the pivot points and then spritzed the latch mechanisms at the bed. Open and close a couple of times then wait a little while and wipe off excess. Wish I would have tried it a long time ago.

Fluid Film is a product derived from sheeps wool (lanolin based) and it commonly used on bare metal as a corrosion inhibitor / lubricator. I bought it at a tractor store. John Deere and New Holland had it here locally. People like to use it on 3 point hitch pivot points etc.
 
So I took of the already broken bezel today and this is what I found (not my picture but the same exact thing...)

I laid the broken bezel on the bumper and forgot it was there and drove off with it...it's gone! LOL

so I ordered a new one from Rock auto today should be here by Wed next week...

the dealer wanted $8 per clip...and when I bawked at he price...he said he had some generic ones for $1.39 :thumbsup: tailgate works good as new...Thanks everyone!

ckpic3.JPG
 
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