tail gate wont open
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: South east detroit
tail gate wont open
I have a 93 and have had the full size spare on its entire life. I was moving out and haulin some stuff a while back and forgot to close the tire swing and as I backed out it swung open all the way then closed. It was not a fun sound. and after that I could not get my TG open. Luckily my top was off and I realized that the TG was unusually close to the right rear fender. I am thinking I might have bent the side of my truck in. I was able to pry the two apart and it slipped open, but with the top on I can't get in there to open it. is there a way to pry the panel back, or is this common even?
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 39
From: North Dakota
Without the top off to support the fender it would cause it too bend alot worse then normal. I am not sure what can be done. I would try to pry a little more but don't mess things up while doing it. I know that my tailgate will not open until the spare is fully in the out position.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
Its possible that the slam shut damaged the release latch inside the gate. The window must be fully down and holding the fail-safe lever down in order for the gate latches to release. If, for some reason the fail-safe shifted when the carrier slammed shut, the problem may be internal to the gate. Removing the inspection cover should allow you to see the hooked end of the fail-safe lever protruding just below the bottom edge of the glass near the center. If it has slipped back or is not there, the gate won't open.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: South east detroit
thanks, but it is definatly the bent side because I can see the difference in the gap between the left and right sides. also when the top was off I was able to put a little pressure with a pry bar between the gaqte and side of teh truck and it opened like normal. I think when I get the top off I am gonna do some damage in the opposite direction see if I cant get it to bounce back.
