Stuck tailgate

[briboswt]

My tailgate is stuck and I can't get it down. When I lift the handle, only the left side releases. Does anyone know how I can get the right side to unlatch?

[jeverett]

Mine did this, and I almost broke my leg trying to kick it open from the inside. What you have to do, is remove the black plastic around the tailgate handle. Be careful not to break the snaps on it. It just pops out. After you do this, you SHOULD see the rods that run to the left, and right side. What I did is opened the gate by pulling on the handle and the rod for the broken side, left it down, and went to the auto part store and got the little plastic clip that holds the actuator rod on the handle. It cost like $1. This should fix it. IF you happen to break the plastic around the handle, IT only cost $7 brand new from GM. I broke mine.

[robertj425]

Originally Posted by briboswt

My tailgate is stuck and I can't get it down. When I lift the handle, only the left side releases. Does anyone know how I can get the right side to unlatch?

The same thing happened to my 2001 Silverado tailgate. The left side was functional but the right side stuck. Makes me wonder if this is a common problem -- the tailgates for these trucks are already under recall for the braided cables that support the tailgate.

And just like jeverett warned, I broke the plastic snaps on the bottom of the black plastic piece that surrounds the tailgate handle. I'll get a replacement at some point in the near future, but in the meantime have reattached the tailgate handle without the black plastic surround shield -- by leaving that piece off, I can now open and close the tailgate by manually pulling the rod for the right side latch.

I love my truck but plan to let Chevy know my displeasure with the tailgate, especially now that I know it's not an isolated problem.

[Holly420]

Luckily I found your posts. I was about to drop my tailgate with my trusty 40 pound iron mallet! My truck has been holding my chop saw captive. (I have a campershell)
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. Left side is ok, damn right is jammed. I think Chevy needs to know about this. I am certainly writing a letter. Email me. HThack74 at america online dot com. I'll bet we could get a bunch more people with this tailgate issue. I still need to take mine in to have those cables changed.

Since you guys have that problem the same; do you ever hear grinding kinda noises from the rear end? Not always when the brakes are applied either. Sometimes it happens just changing lanes. And of course it NEVER acts up for the mechanic.

[96 silver]

Mine too, right side sticks and the left is fine. I've heard about this from many people, very common

[Faze2183]

damm gm

[jeverett]

Originally Posted by Faze2183

damm gm

[mrmike44]

Same problem guys. Good to know that I'm not the only one considering writing GM if this is a known problem. When I called the local dealership to schedule the cable replacement the serviceman said it would cost $50 to replace the plastic snap because the 36K warranty was exceeded. I just fished it out and placed it back on (the plastic snap was still attached) and the tailgate worked fine once. When I tried it a second time the right rod fell out again. I re-attached the rod into the handle mechanism and am looking for parts. I'm wondering if I broke the handle on the way back from the dump by leaving the tailgate open and driving over bumps.
Any thoughts???..parts???...manuals??? This is BS.

[broughy84]

guys this has been a problem for a long time. My 88, 96, my bosses 94, a friend on the FD's 97 & 00, and my neighbors 01 all have had this problem. ALWAYS THE RIGHT SIDE

[90chevysport 4X4]

haha mine has same problem the right side just havnt got around to get the clip

[SilveradoOwner]

Guys, here are some easy step-by-step repair instructions. You can buy clips at an auto parts store for about $0.99 each. You want to replace both because it may not be long before the other fails and you have to do it all over again. Remove the 3 screws on the inside of the tailgate to loosen the handle. Remove the other rod from the handle and take the old clip off with some needle nose pliers or somethiing, but secure it to make sure it doesn't fall into the tailgate. Move the loosened handle to one side and use a wire hanger or something similar to fish out the fallen rod. Remove the clip from that rod and put the new clips on both. Then place something behind the loosened handle so it doesn't move (Pliers handle always works for me) and push the rod and clip into the hole provided on the handle with your thumb. Do the same thing for the other side, re-place the handle and re-insert the screws. That should do it. If you haven't ever done so, it wouldn't hurt to add some lube to the latches on either end of the tailgate. Good Luck.

[jshort74]

Mine '93 has the same problem but on the left. I've just been pulling on the rod to get it open. I wonder if thy have ever thaught about using STEEL clips.