Tailgate trunion?

[TBONE1964]

About 2 years ago, I changed the tail gate on my truck. I bought a very nice original gate that was better (no huge bow) than my original. The truck is a 1972 Cheyenne and the gate I had fit nice.

With the new gate however, it rattles like crazy. I can grab it while shut and move the bottom of the gate in and out at least 3/8 of an inch. When I have the slider open on these wonderful Michigan roads, it drive me nuts to listen to it rattle. I have tried making some adjustments to help but nothing works.

My question is, did GM ever chance the size of these trunions? The gate I replaced fir real nice and not sloppy loose like the new gate. Nothing looks rusty or wore out to me.

Any help is appreciated,
Tom

[LockDoc]

-
Are the rubber bumpers in place on the inside lip of the bed? If so you can loosen the bolts in the trunions and strikers and move them in a little to tighten the tailgate up.

LockDoc

[FirstOwner69]

I discovered tonight that my left side striker was too far forward and that side was not latching. Therefore, check as LockDoc said, but also make sure both sides are latching.

[litew8]

I put the rubber bumpers on mine today and they seem too small to stay. Then, I have small thick rectangle rubber stops?? Where do those go? Any pics?

edited: I found a pic

The small round bumpers go in the top hole (empty on this pic) I think. I see where the square rubber goes (bottom) but looks out of place. Is that right.



HAHA this is actually your pic Lock Doc!
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=296024

[FirstOwner69]

That's correct. Here's mine. I believe they are to keep the straps from rattling.

[TBONE1964]

I agree that the small round one on the top is there to create a small amount of pre-load on the latch to prevent rattles.

The square one down lower is to prevent the straps from rattling, I agree with that.

I have both in place. I also have no back and forth movement on the top side of the gate. The latches are adjusted correctly.

It is the bottom of the gate that has play and it is there because the trunion seems to small for the gate hole which allows play. It does not seem to matter how I adjust the trunion side, I get this play which allows the bottom of the gate to move around and rattle.

I could fix it with lumber wedges if I never wanted to open the gate but that is not an option. I am asking if anyone knows if these trunions were two different sizes between 1967 and 1972?

Thank you for all of the replys,
Tom

[litew8]

All I know is that we just installed the repro bed sides and oe gate. The sides were a real PITA. They needed lots of pressure to align the underside bolts but the fit is TIGHT. The gate sits straight and tight also. The tops are so snug, I don't think the lower half has wiggle room (unless when opened maybe idk). Sounds like what you are describing is the need to readjust your bed sides from the bottom if there's that much play. The sides were originally welded to the frame after being fit from the factory. Could be those two spots, or one, busted free. Worth a look.

[Hutch]

It may very well be the trunions that are causing the play in your tailgate
Here is a cheap fix that took the rattle out of my gate
There is a total of 4 pieces 2 on each side
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?p=947214

[litew8]

Good idea. But if it were the trunions, the other option is to replace them.

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by litew8

All I know is that we just installed the repro bed sides and oe gate. The sides were a real PITA. They needed lots of pressure to align the underside bolts but the fit is TIGHT. The gate sits straight and tight also. The tops are so snug, I don't think the lower half has wiggle room (unless when opened maybe idk). Sounds like what you are describing is the need to readjust your bed sides from the bottom if there's that much play. The sides were originally welded to the frame after being fit from the factory. Could be those two spots, or one, busted free. Worth a look.

Thank you for the input here but my bed is an original long bed with an OEM gate. It is still very solid and has never been wrecked. All the welds from the factory are still in tact.

I will post up some photos of what I am talking about soon.

Thanks again for the tips.
Tom

[TBONE1964]

Ok, let me start over. It is the piece in the photo, the trunion. It has excessive back and forth movement in the tail gate pocket. I am wondering if there were two different diameter trunions and I have the wrong size.

I have owned 67-72 Chevy trucks though out my entire driving life and I have never had one with this much play. It is loose enough to wiggle from the bottom of the gate even when shut.

I have tried adjusting them around to see if I can reduce the movement but not enough to make a difference.

Is it possible the tail gate pocket is wore enough to cause this? I hope not, it is otherwise a nice gate.

Thanks again to all,
Tom

[litew8]

You're welcome. Like I said, the bedsides are fitted and determine how snug the fit - left to right, not the trunions. Before restoring mine, the gate was sloppy as heck. It wouldn't latch - and that was due to the bedsides spreading over time. My trunions are 40+ years old as far as I know and I don't see how it'd be possible for them to wear and cause left to right movement of the gate.

[turp mcspray]

On the tailgate, the upper lip of the trunnion pocket, can be hammered downward to tighten up the trunnion to pocket fit. If you have excessive side to side movement, put some washers behind one or both trunnions. Seems like I have also done some welding on either a gate or a trunnion to get rid of some play as well.

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by litew8

You're welcome. Like I said, the bedsides are fitted and determine how snug the fit - left to right, not the trunions. Before restoring mine, the gate was sloppy as heck. It wouldn't latch - and that was due to the bedsides spreading over time. My trunions are 40+ years old as far as I know and I don't see how it'd be possible for them to wear and cause left to right movement of the gate.

I hear you and I have had to use a come along to pull bed sides from being spread on the top and preventing the gate from latching. My problem is for/aft movement of the gate on the bottom side. It is perfect on the top side. The left and right movement is very minimal. Thanks again for the advise.

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by turp mcspray

On the tailgate, the upper lip of the trunnion pocket, can be hammered downward to tighten up the trunnion to pocket fit. If you have excessive side to side movement, put some washers behind one or both trunnions. Seems like I have also done some welding on either a gate or a trunnion to get rid of some play as well.

I think that is going to be the fix. The old gate with these same trunions did not have any for/aft or left to right movement. I think the gate pockets are wore out and I will try your idea of whacking some of the clearance out of them.

Thank you,
Tom

[turp mcspray]

If the other gate fit fine, then I would for sure be looking at the other gates pockets. I don't remember the specific details, but I know that I have had to fix this same issue in the past.

[1966chevy]

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