Tailgate on truck will not latch
I have a Chevy 2500HD Silverado. The tailgate handle barely moves and the tailgate will not latch. The latches are in the proper position to "snap" around the posts on the side of the truck but they d...
Forum Discussion
Just went through this on a Dodge. The handle in the center of the tailgate was OK but the two catches at the left and right sides of the gate were stuck with corrosion. This truck had a plastic liner in it, so we could remove the liner trim and panel. That gave access to another panel that let us get at the catches.
Try seeing if you can spray the catches from the outside as suggested. If that fails, you might be able to get access to that center handle and at least verify that it IS moving and links are connected. If you can get ahold of the links, you can tug on them one at a time, possibly confirming or isolating the problem.
On the Dodge, it felt like the center handle was stuck, but it actually was not and the issue was in the catches. After freeing one, we found the other was right behind it. The gate might not latch closed, might not release, or might fall open.
Try seeing if you can spray the catches from the outside as suggested. If that fails, you might be able to get access to that center handle and at least verify that it IS moving and links are connected. If you can get ahold of the links, you can tug on them one at a time, possibly confirming or isolating the problem.
On the Dodge, it felt like the center handle was stuck, but it actually was not and the issue was in the catches. After freeing one, we found the other was right behind it. The gate might not latch closed, might not release, or might fall open.
