Tailgate Not Opening? Already Replaced Handle + Rods...

[boy&hisdogs]

Like the title says, my tailgate does not open properly. I have to pull the handle, then reach in and finish the job by pinching the arms together just that last little bit. First I thought it was a faulty handle, so I replaced it. Nothing changed. Then I thought it was the connecting rods being stretched/deformed, so I replaced those too... nothing changed.

What else could it be? Should I try to bend the rods a little to make them effectively shorter? Something else?

 

[454cid]

Maybe a cheaply made handle. That's what happened to me.

 

[boy&hisdogs]

Maybe a cheaply made handle. That's what happened to me.

I deifnately wouldn't call it high quality. Is there a certain brand known to be good for these kinds of things?

 

[454cid]

I deifnately wouldn't call it high quality. Is there a certain brand known to be good for these kinds of things?

I ended up fixing the original. I soaked the pivot point in Evaporust until it moved properly again.

 

[df2x4]

I deifnately wouldn't call it high quality. Is there a certain brand known to be good for these kinds of things?

When in doubt, OEM ACDelco. The original is still available new from GM for around $80. Part number 15991785.

https://www.wholesalegmpartsonline....odel=14516&modelYear=1998&ukey_category=19392

 

[Erik the Awful]

If I remember right, the latches on the sides of my tailgate were wore out. I pulled them, cleaned and lubed them, and welded up where the rods had worn grooves in them. The tailgate is one of the few things on my truck that works like new.

 

[thegawd]

if bending the rod will fix it..... GET R DONE. if you want acdelco.... put it on later.

my sierra has a "southern" tailgate, my buddy had this truck before me and the old tailgate was rotten. he replaced the latching mechanisms on the side of the new tailgate along with the pivot bearings that hold the tailgate on. this tailgate works perfectly.

Al

 

[drumsdaddy]

By some chance has the tailgate been damaged? Twisted because of a heavy load put on the gate? Bed twisted? Frame?

 

[93chevyluvr]

Mines siezed up. I replaced the entire assembly last year and shaved the latches so that they would shut easier but that didn’t really help. Now it’s stuck open on one side and the handle won’t move at all

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[RichLo]

Lots of White Lithium Grease.