Any trick to tailgate latch? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1976gmc20 · 08-30-2015, 01:56 PM

I've got to put a GMT400 tailgate back together for a friend tomorrow.

She has new striker plates, handle bezel, and the little plastic clips to hold the rods to the handle latch.

For some reason somebody took the latch out of the tailgate at one time - probably to manually pull the rods to get the tailgate to open since the latch "bolts" were jammed in the worn out strikers.

So is there any special trick to getting the rods hooked back up to the latch mechanism in the middle with the little plastic clips ???

enaberif · 08-30-2015, 02:03 PM

Grease and a lot of cursing. Those plastic clips are the worst.

1976gmc20 · 08-30-2015, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enaberif

Grease and a lot of cursing. Those plastic clips are the worst.

I'm really good at cursing

Looks like you would stick them on the rod and then push the elbow part through the hole in the latch lever ???

Wondering if the latch handle mechanism should be bolted in first or left loose for maneuverability?

enaberif · 08-30-2015, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1976gmc20

I'm really good at cursing

Looks like you would stick them on the rod and then push the elbow part through the hole in the latch lever ???

Wondering if the latch handle mechanism should be bolted in first or left loose for maneuverability?

Loose helps but either way its a horrid thing to accomplish. But yes you have the right idea.

sntrym95 · 08-30-2015, 09:52 PM

pliers and a long screwdriver iirc, and some patience

1976gmc20 · 08-31-2015, 10:44 AM

Thanks - I'll let you know how it goes, if I survive

1976gmc20 · 08-31-2015, 10:22 PM

Putting the rods and clips onto the handle mechanism was no big deal. Just started it in the hole and pulled up hard on the rod with pliers.

But - I had it working fine, but then all of a sudden it all jammed up again. I carefully pried off the brand new plastic bezel, and eventually discovered that one of the "pusher parts" on the handle was jumping up over the "pushed part" on the lever that pulls the rod that goes to the passenger side slide bolt. I took everything all apart again and used a brake adjusting tool (some of you may remember these

) to pry/bend the lever towards the back of the tailgate so the pusher/pushed parts align properly again. Put it all back together again and it works like brand new

I now know more than I ever wanted to know about these Chevy tailgates. At least I will know how to fix my 89 if it ever breaks.

08-30-2015, 01:56 PM	#1
1976gmc20 Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Montana Posts: 3,696	Any trick to tailgate latch? I've got to put a GMT400 tailgate back together for a friend tomorrow. She has new striker plates, handle bezel, and the little plastic clips to hold the rods to the handle latch. For some reason somebody took the latch out of the tailgate at one time - probably to manually pull the rods to get the tailgate to open since the latch "bolts" were jammed in the worn out strikers. So is there any special trick to getting the rods hooked back up to the latch mechanism in the middle with the little plastic clips ??? __________________ Current/past Chevy/GMC trucks: 1958 Chevy C-60; 1965 GMC C-50; 1965 Chevy C-10; 1971 Chevy K-10; 1973 Chevy K-20; 1976 GMC C-20; 1977 Chevy C-10 Suburban; 1980 Chevy K-10; 1989 Chevy K1500; 1991 GMC V1500 Suburban; 2016 Chevy K2500 HD Other vehicles: 1988 Jeep XJ; 2011 Toyota 4Runner

08-30-2015, 02:03 PM	#2
enaberif Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 1,181	Re: Any trick to tailgate latch? Grease and a lot of cursing. Those plastic clips are the worst.

08-30-2015, 09:52 PM	#5
sntrym95 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Big Pine Key, FL Posts: 745	Re: Any trick to tailgate latch? pliers and a long screwdriver iirc, and some patience __________________ Mike

08-31-2015, 10:44 AM	#6
1976gmc20 Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Montana Posts: 3,696	Re: Any trick to tailgate latch? Thanks - I'll let you know how it goes, if I survive __________________ Current/past Chevy/GMC trucks: 1958 Chevy C-60; 1965 GMC C-50; 1965 Chevy C-10; 1971 Chevy K-10; 1973 Chevy K-20; 1976 GMC C-20; 1977 Chevy C-10 Suburban; 1980 Chevy K-10; 1989 Chevy K1500; 1991 GMC V1500 Suburban; 2016 Chevy K2500 HD Other vehicles: 1988 Jeep XJ; 2011 Toyota 4Runner

08-31-2015, 10:22 PM	#7
1976gmc20 Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Montana Posts: 3,696	Re: Any trick to tailgate latch? Putting the rods and clips onto the handle mechanism was no big deal. Just started it in the hole and pulled up hard on the rod with pliers. But - I had it working fine, but then all of a sudden it all jammed up again. I carefully pried off the brand new plastic bezel, and eventually discovered that one of the "pusher parts" on the handle was jumping up over the "pushed part" on the lever that pulls the rod that goes to the passenger side slide bolt. I took everything all apart again and used a brake adjusting tool (some of you may remember these ) to pry/bend the lever towards the back of the tailgate so the pusher/pushed parts align properly again. Put it all back together again and it works like brand new I now know more than I ever wanted to know about these Chevy tailgates. At least I will know how to fix my 89 if it ever breaks. __________________ Current/past Chevy/GMC trucks: 1958 Chevy C-60; 1965 GMC C-50; 1965 Chevy C-10; 1971 Chevy K-10; 1973 Chevy K-20; 1976 GMC C-20; 1977 Chevy C-10 Suburban; 1980 Chevy K-10; 1989 Chevy K1500; 1991 GMC V1500 Suburban; 2016 Chevy K2500 HD Other vehicles: 1988 Jeep XJ; 2011 Toyota 4Runner



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