1996 Tailgate Issue

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Mar 15, 2019 | 05:11 PM

Bigtex1970

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1996 Tailgate Issue

Hey everyone!

I discovered the other day that my tailgate wouldn't come down. After some YouTube research, I discovered that I needed to take the cover off and manually release each side and then I managed to get it down. It looks like one of the clips holding the rod in place broke off going to the right side, therefore it wouldn't pull the rod in from that side. Seemed like an easy fix, so I decided to go ahead and order new clips and rods just to get ahead of something else that might happen while I was in there. After I placed the order to the new parts from LMC Truck, I noticed something else fishy on the right side. It seemed loose and didn't snap back into place like its counterpart on the left side did. So, I decided to go ahead and replace the latches on each side while I was at it. Can anyone think of anything else that I might need to do while I'm in there, or am I going too far already? LOL Being fairly new to the site, I'm open to any and all expertise!

Jay

Mar 15, 2019 | 09:10 PM

TexasGuy001

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I had a problem with the actual latch assembly that the handle activates. It was worn out at the pivot and would bow when the handle was lifted making it a real pain to open.

Mar 15, 2019 | 09:37 PM

Squisher

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That is the same problem I have had with both a 92 and my 95. Like Texasguy the assembly the handle activates gets worn out. I open up the cover and lube it periodically. I've never actually replaced it but I've jimmyed it all straight again and lube it.

Mar 16, 2019 | 07:51 AM

My4Fordtrucks

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtex1970

Hey everyone!

I noticed something else fishy on the right side. It seemed loose and didn't snap back into place like its counterpart on the left side did. So, I decided to go ahead and replace the latches on each side while I was at it.

Jay

What seemed loose? The mechanism in the center of the tailgate that pulls on the rods?

On my truck the center part was binding up and eventually caused the handle to break. I replaced the handle and lubed up the “control assembly” with spray white grease.

Mar 16, 2019 | 09:28 AM

Bigtex1970

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On the right side of the tailgate, the latch assembly that the rod hooks into wasn't as sturdy as the one on the left. I'm not sure how to explain it, but it didn't seem like the mechanism was as tight as it should be. The center part on mine had one of the plastic parts that hold the rod to the right side broke off, so I had to take the cover off and manually open the tailgate. I figure while I was in there, I should just replace everything to avoid a potential headache down the line.

Mar 16, 2019 | 10:02 PM

TooManyMIce

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From: State of Confusion

The tailgate wasn't working right on my dad's '87 and it turned out that the inner skin of the tailgate was all bashed in. I dunno if the last guy hauled a giant novelty bowling ball around back there or what, but the inside of the tailgate was so pushed in that it was interfering with the levers on the back of the handle. A little creative bodywork with a crowbar got the sheet metal back to about where it should've been and made the tailgate work much better.