tailgate

PickUpGirl787 · 03-25-2007, 03:04 PM

has anyone had a problem with the late 1980's early 1990's chevy 1500 tailgates? On the right side the latch will move in and out, but on the left it wont come out all the way, i can get it to come out pretty far with pliars but then as soon as you pull the handle to open it, it goes in and stays in. Any ideas?

junior3382 · 03-25-2007, 03:09 PM

actually, i have seen this several times before, I have found that usaully it needs some lubrication. And not just a spray on WD-40 but take it apart, clean the little piston and lube it with a good grease. WD-40 tends to dry it out and make it worse.

75K30 · 03-25-2007, 03:34 PM

Small plastic retaining clips that hold the latch to the release arms are broken. Common problem, and it happens to all makes. They sell for less than a couple of bucks, and only take a moment to install.

ikos10 · 03-25-2007, 03:39 PM

these guys are both right, I would try both, besides lubrication never hurts.... and broken parts should always be replaced....

PickUpGirl787 · 03-25-2007, 03:43 PM

thanks

ill try it, I have to buy a new hex tool though the first one broke because the bolts were on there too tight

mudseeker · 03-25-2007, 09:10 PM

the tailgate on my 97 would never latch shut tight, if you hit a good bump it would fall open. i ended up taking the handle out and drilling out the rivet that held the handle together. i replaced the rivet with a short bolt and lock nut, with the lock nut you could keep the parts loose instead of pressed to each other like the rivet. this solved my problem, not sure if it will help you.

03-25-2007, 03:04 PM	#1
PickUpGirl787 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 705	tailgate has anyone had a problem with the late 1980's early 1990's chevy 1500 tailgates? On the right side the latch will move in and out, but on the left it wont come out all the way, i can get it to come out pretty far with pliars but then as soon as you pull the handle to open it, it goes in and stays in. Any ideas? __________________ Ashley My first truck was a 1988 Chevy 1500 with the 305 My new truck is a 1997 GMC 1500 with the 350

03-25-2007, 03:09 PM	#2
junior3382 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Currently, I live in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Posts: 3,040	actually, i have seen this several times before, I have found that usaully it needs some lubrication. And not just a spray on WD-40 but take it apart, clean the little piston and lube it with a good grease. WD-40 tends to dry it out and make it worse. __________________ *Parts have been found, tools are collecting, tensions are rising, the weather is changing...look out.... the SAS is comming!*

03-25-2007, 03:43 PM	#5
PickUpGirl787 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 705	thanks ill try it, I have to buy a new hex tool though the first one broke because the bolts were on there too tight __________________ Ashley My first truck was a 1988 Chevy 1500 with the 305 My new truck is a 1997 GMC 1500 with the 350

03-25-2007, 09:10 PM	#6
mudseeker mod-o-tator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 4,525	the tailgate on my 97 would never latch shut tight, if you hit a good bump it would fall open. i ended up taking the handle out and drilling out the rivet that held the handle together. i replaced the rivet with a short bolt and lock nut, with the lock nut you could keep the parts loose instead of pressed to each other like the rivet. this solved my problem, not sure if it will help you. __________________ member map add yourself alldatadiy why is it, when i push one for english, i still can't understand the person on the other end?

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03-25-2007, 03:34 PM	#3
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,636	Small plastic retaining clips that hold the latch to the release arms are broken. Common problem, and it happens to all makes. They sell for less than a couple of bucks, and only take a moment to install.

03-25-2007, 03:39 PM	#4
ikos10 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: york, PA Posts: 85	these guys are both right, I would try both, besides lubrication never hurts.... and broken parts should always be replaced....

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