Broken Tailgate Latch - F150
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From: Near Wash DC
Broken Tailgate Latch - F150
Hi All,
I broke the cast metal latch handle on my tailgate last weekend and can't figure out how to remove/replace it or worse, get my tailgate open. Chilton's doesn't cover the latch handle. I removed the bedliner from the tailgate and see four large screws but am reluctant to loosen them for fear of internal parts dropping off and running amok inside the tailgate. Help, please!
Jonathan
I broke the cast metal latch handle on my tailgate last weekend and can't figure out how to remove/replace it or worse, get my tailgate open. Chilton's doesn't cover the latch handle. I removed the bedliner from the tailgate and see four large screws but am reluctant to loosen them for fear of internal parts dropping off and running amok inside the tailgate. Help, please!
Jonathan
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Raleigh, NC
Jarrall- what year?
Check these threads, I think you are going to have to remove and access panel from the inner tailgate.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...25252Btailgate
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=123637
-rlp
Check these threads, I think you are going to have to remove and access panel from the inner tailgate.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...25252Btailgate
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=123637
-rlp
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From: Near Wash DC
[QUOTE]Originally posted by rlp
[B]Jarrall- what year?
Check these threads, I think you are going to have to remove and access panel from the inner tailgate.
Ooops, sorry, it's a 1987 XLT Lariat w/long bed. By access panel do you mean the entire inner skin of the tailgate? I was up close and personal with the tailgate on Saturday and there's no "access panel" that I can see. There are 4 large screws more or less in a rectangle around the area of the latch and then screws further out toward the sides.
Thanks for the links...
JR
[B]Jarrall- what year?
Check these threads, I think you are going to have to remove and access panel from the inner tailgate.
Ooops, sorry, it's a 1987 XLT Lariat w/long bed. By access panel do you mean the entire inner skin of the tailgate? I was up close and personal with the tailgate on Saturday and there's no "access panel" that I can see. There are 4 large screws more or less in a rectangle around the area of the latch and then screws further out toward the sides.
Thanks for the links...
JR
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 185
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From: Raleigh, NC
Jarrall - on my '89 there is a large metal panel (maybe 36 inches by 12 inches or so) which is screwed onto the INSIDE of the tailgate (not the handle). I think there were 10-12 T30 Torx screws holding this panel onto the inner tailgate.
Removing that exposed the control rods and other parts which actuated the latches on the sides (I sort of guessed my way through, but I was able to release my stuck tailgate). Yes .. its more difficult if the tailgate is stuck closed, but once you get the panel off and hopefully release the latch, the tailgate can be opened and you can work with it like that.
I think you can get to 2 bolts which hold the actual handle on - still from the inner tailgate- and removing the 2 corresponding nuts allows removal of the handle and plastic protective shield from the other side. At least on my '89.
Removing that exposed the control rods and other parts which actuated the latches on the sides (I sort of guessed my way through, but I was able to release my stuck tailgate). Yes .. its more difficult if the tailgate is stuck closed, but once you get the panel off and hopefully release the latch, the tailgate can be opened and you can work with it like that.
I think you can get to 2 bolts which hold the actual handle on - still from the inner tailgate- and removing the 2 corresponding nuts allows removal of the handle and plastic protective shield from the other side. At least on my '89.
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