Tailgate not latching unless slammed - Adjustment?
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 43
From: New York
Tailgate not latching unless slammed - Adjustment?
Over the years my tailgate has gotten tougher to latch closed. I really need to slam it now to get it to stay closed. I've tried moving the striker pins outward but that doesn't seem to do anything. Maybe I'm not moving them into the "right" spot? Maybe there's an issue with the latches? Thoughts on how to best determine what the real issue is and best resolution?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: Vernon, BC
What Sandy said. Plus you can straighten the rods out and lubricate everything inside the tailgate at the same time. Mine was the same way when I got it and lubing and straightening the rods resolved the issue.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
Thanks for adding the lubing Part. Also the side latches on the tailgate.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 5,076
Likes: 865
From: N.W. Alabama
Ford keep America fit program
thats your squat and dead lift feature that only a select few have
Last edited by torq'ta 5 8; Aug 17, 2019 at 07:33 PM. Reason: forgot word
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,837
Likes: 2,437
Mine was getting harder and harder to open and close. I went to open the gate and the handle broke. What caused the handle to eventually break was the fact that the “handle control assembly” was dry. Lubing the control with lithium grease freed it up. With the new handle and the control greased up it easily opens and closes.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 43
From: New York
Thanks for the input.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 372
Likes: 14
From: Central Minnesota
I can identify with the swaybacked pony deal, it seems that if you've unhooked your goose trailer, shut the tailgate to disconnect the trailer wires, you should open the tailgate before you drive off................ I did a really good job on the gate, plus pulled both bed sides in. Porta powers can be useful............. Larry
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 372
Likes: 14
From: Central Minnesota
Another quick note, since the tailgate seems to be the center of discussion. I bought a tailgate torsion bar from LMC this spring, after my wife bummed the truck for some furniture hauling, and had trouble lifting the gate. That is the best 30 bucks I've ever spent. Super simple install, can't see unless you look between the gate and the bed. I can lift the gate with my little finger and when opened, you guide it down with the same finger. It REALLY works well
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,837
Likes: 2,437
Another quick note, since the tailgate seems to be the center of discussion. I bought a tailgate torsion bar from LMC this spring, after my wife bummed the truck for some furniture hauling, and had trouble lifting the gate. That is the best 30 bucks I've ever spent. Super simple install, can't see unless you look between the gate and the bed. I can lift the gate with my little finger and when opened, you guide it down with the same finger. It REALLY works well
My pickup tailgate used to be very straight until I hauled a few loads of firewood. Now it has a slight bend.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: Vernon, BC
So is it the thought that the rods are hanging up and it's the slamming that is causing them to release? I hadn't really considered that as a scenario - figured it was more that the latch/pin were worn and/or not correctly oriented. But I was loosing faith in that premise after trying a different set of latches and moving the latch pins all over.
Thanks for the input.
Thanks for the input.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 43
From: New York
If only all fixes on this truck were this simple!?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis & Terlingua
Got the cover off tonight and found that I was having precisely the same issues. Once the center mechanism was lubed up everything works great now. When I first got to it, the left side was totally seized up and never latching; it was only the right side that was latching when it got a good slam. Now both sides latch with the lightest of force.
If only all fixes on this truck were this simple!?
If only all fixes on this truck were this simple!?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
86'F-150
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Apr 22, 2013 03:28 PM
bf5113
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Aug 14, 2005 07:24 AM