shawn085

Hi
My tailgate would open just fine but had a hard time latching. If I reset the latchs on both sides of the tailgate it then would work fine but it wouldn't reset on it's own.
I removed all the guts of the tailgate and found the problem to be a pivot point right behind the handle. The pivot pint for the two arms that pulls on the push-pull rods. Lots of lube and cycling of the arms has brought it back to new. Just thought I would put this in so if someone else has the problem. All you need to do is pull out the handle work it back to life.

BIGBADBOB

Had the same problem but it caught me. Pulled out of a RV park tailgate fell down and the edge went thru my 5th wheel front compartment door. Lubed the tailgate like you said and fixed the problem.
Fixed the door myself. PITA

shawn085

Good to here you fixed it, to bad about the damage. I just hope some people will read this and maybe check there tailgate so it doesn't happen to them

anpconnors

I have a plastic tailgate cover, is there an access panel behind to get to the handle hardware? Or some other area? Thanks!

Commatoze

I've developed the same problem. Thanks for the tip.

shawn085

Hey anpconnors,
The tailgate hardware is three torx bolts on the inside of the tailgate in the center. If you have a plastic box liner you will half to remove it. There is a trim piece around the lower part of the tailgate handle that is plastic and it just pops out. I hope this helps

Stamey

Shawn, can the lubing that needs to be done happen through the back of the gate if the cover is removed? I'm trying to figure if I really HAVE to remove my bed liner on the tailgate.

Thanks,
Chris

shawn085

You can try lubing the tailgate handle with it still installed in the tailgate. I removed mine because I thought it was going to need more than just lube. It did make it easyer to lube and cycle back and forth. It the box liner is a PITA to remove I would just lube it in place. Remove the plastic trim around the bottom of the handle and you should be able to get a good look inside. The plastic trim, it just snaps in and out on mine. PM me if you have anymore questions