Tailgate latch/assembly

Hi folks,

Just finished a search and didn't come up with anything. Figured I'd throw this out.

Just got my Chinese replacement tailgate cables for my '99 LS 4x4 etx cab. While installing them I realized that the pass side "compression triangle" (for lack of a better term) was installed incorrectly at the factory. Pass side gate latch has now sawn through the plastic covering the latch pin after so many years. I've had the darn thing at the dealer in the past trying to find a problem as I never noticed this myself- especially after the gate unlatching at 70 on the highway and was dragged for 1/4 mile before I could get over. Not only did the pass side latch let go but, I'm assuming, on the rebound bounce the cable managed to unlatch itself. Am I correct in assuming that if this "compression triangle" was properly installed I, more likely than not would not have had these problems with the gate unlatching itself as proper tension would have been kept on the latch pins? Thoughts?

The compression triangle you mention is called a bumper, its sole purpose is to eliminate tailgate rattle, inside the latch there is a non-serviceable torsion spring that keeps the latch closed, if one latch didn´t stay closed, the driver side latch should have kept the lid closed, sounds to me you didn't close the liftgate, you have to hear two clicks, one from each latch to make sure it is closed, there is a very slim chance the latch is faulty, and even less chance you got two bad latches. If you experience it again, take it to the dealer so that they can have the factory that made the latch inspect it. Maybe the new cable was not installed correctly and that is giving you trouble.

The compression triangle you mention is called a bumper, its sole purpose is to eliminate tailgate rattle, inside the latch there is a non-serviceable torsion spring that keeps the latch closed, if one latch didn´t stay closed, the driver side latch should have kept the lid closed, sounds to me you didn't close the liftgate, you have to hear two clicks, one from each latch to make sure it is closed, there is a very slim chance the latch is faulty, and even less chance you got two bad latches. If you experience it again, take it to the dealer so that they can have the factory that made the latch inspect it. Maybe the new cable was not installed correctly and that is giving you trouble.


you might want to take off the bevel around the handle and see if the latch underneath the handle is operational cause mine isnt i have to push the arms inside over to the left and right to get it to latch properly

Thanks guys. I'm going to have to take a closer look at the latch then, Silver, because there are times that I have to manually open the latch in order to close the gate. This has happened on more than one ocassion and not due to failure to close the gate as I double check it every time I close it now after the initial failure. Sounds like a look inside the handle may be warranted. I just didn't know how much of a role the bumpers played in keeping the gate closed/rattle free.

Thanks guys. I'm going to have to take a closer look at the latch then, Silver, because there are times that I have to manually open the latch in order to close the gate. This has happened on more than one ocassion and not due to failure to close the gate as I double check it every time I close it now after the initial failure. Sounds like a look inside the handle may be warranted. I just didn't know how much of a role the bumpers played in keeping the gate closed/rattle free.


If you have to do that then the clips that hold the rods in place may be broken, check out the whole rod assembly and handle.