Tail gate hard to latch
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 681
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, IL USA
Tail gate hard to latch
I have a '99 Ranger with 98,500 miles and lately I have to "slam" the tail gate to get it to latch. I have lubed the mechanism and even adjusted the striker plates on the bed but this has not seemed to help.
Anyone else experience this? Any suggestions on a fix?
Anyone else experience this? Any suggestions on a fix?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
try some lithium grease on the latches on either side and the posts they latch on to. Work the handle a few times to work the grease into the moving parts. If it still sticks, its probably in the tailgate.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 538
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Look at where the tailgate pivots. On the right side, the 'hinge' is slotted so you can remove the tailgate. There is a plastic piece that fits in the 'socket' of the tailgate so that it doesn't slop around. On my truck the plastic piece recently disintegrated (10 years old) and I stopped by the dealership and picked up a new one. It was about $5 and I stuck it in before leaving the parking lot. Now my tailgate doesn't slop around and the latch lines up perfectly again.
