Tailgate not opening?
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Tailgate not opening?
Hi all,
My tailgate won't open. When I pop the latch the drivers side releases, but the passenger side doesn't. I removed the tailgate carpet and tried to remove the panel underneath, but a couple of the screws were rusted really badly.
Is going through the panel in the tailgate how you look at the latch mechanism? Also is there anyway to get the one side to release?
Thanks for any help or suggestions.
Jerry
My tailgate won't open. When I pop the latch the drivers side releases, but the passenger side doesn't. I removed the tailgate carpet and tried to remove the panel underneath, but a couple of the screws were rusted really badly.
Is going through the panel in the tailgate how you look at the latch mechanism? Also is there anyway to get the one side to release?
Thanks for any help or suggestions.
Jerry
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 559
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From: South Carolina
Yes - your best option at this point is to get the access panel off. From the latch in the center, two remote rods run to the latches on each side of the tailgate. I would guess that one has fallen off. When you get into the tailgate, you'll need the window partway down to make sure it doesn't catch on the weatherstrip, and to give room inside the tailgate for your hands. Have someone help from the outside, and pull the remote rod for the latch that is sticking. Since the window isn't supported by anything (but glass) when partway open, your helper should be outside to hold the tailgate and lower it GENTLY. You'll probably just have to reconnect the remote rod to the latch in the center of the tailgate. The plastic clips for this sometimes loosen up or break. If it's broken, they're available at most auto part stores. If you don't mind working in an awkward position, you may be able to reattach it from inside the truck. Good luck! 
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Well I got the access panel off, but it's still not opening. Looks like both release latches are working, but the passenger side still isn't letting go.
When the tailgate is latched there is some back and forth play on the passenger side. When it is unlatched the same play is still evident, but the latch on that side isn't opening.
Any ideas on how to get to the latch or get the tailgate open?
Thanks,
Jerry
When the tailgate is latched there is some back and forth play on the passenger side. When it is unlatched the same play is still evident, but the latch on that side isn't opening.
Any ideas on how to get to the latch or get the tailgate open?
Thanks,
Jerry
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 559
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From: South Carolina
Good on ya!
Well, congratulations. I think the tailgate is one of the most complicated parts of the Bronco. Don't forget what it looks like in there, because your window will probably stop working at some point. 
When I do a repaint, I think I'll write a tech article for FTE covering all of the common maladies and their repairs. As it is now, my tailgate works, but all of the safety features are inoperative. And the defroster is broke. And the glass is scratched because the seals turned hard. And it's rusting at the bottom.. But it does open and shut, and I can roll the window up or down whenever I want.
When I do a repaint, I think I'll write a tech article for FTE covering all of the common maladies and their repairs. As it is now, my tailgate works, but all of the safety features are inoperative. And the defroster is broke. And the glass is scratched because the seals turned hard. And it's rusting at the bottom.. But it does open and shut, and I can roll the window up or down whenever I want.
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Yeah, mine not's too good. Window works most of the time (I think it's more switch related for now), and the defroster is broken. I found the wires broken when I had the tailgate apart. I will try to fix it at a later date.
Fortunately I don't have any rust on the tailgate. Mine is just on the fenderwells
Thanks for all the help.
Jerry
Fortunately I don't have any rust on the tailgate. Mine is just on the fenderwells
Thanks for all the help.
Jerry
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From: spokane, wa
another thing to do is loosen the bolts that hold the main mechanism and reaglin it , when i redid some of my tailgate i was having the same problem , i thought i had bent up some of the rods moving stuff around , but all i needed to do was adjust the main mechanism left and right to re center it .
airrikk17
airrikk17