Tailgate Won't Stay Shut? How to Fix a Stubborn Truck Tailgate!

[@mmacmobile]

My 2005 Silverado LT has this same problem and I have been slamming it several times before it latches but only one side holds. Sometimes it falls when I am moving and the first time it made me look back to see what ran into me! So I finally decided to KZbin the problem and this is the first video that popped up and I am confident that my problem is one of these. Heading out the door to perform surgery on that stubborn beast. Thank you!

[@IZeSerious]

How'd you make out? Sounds like my current tailgate 04 f150

[@bergdude102]

Awesome and informative video. Did chuckle when he said do it regularly, like when you change the oil and lubricant the door hinges… I change the oil regularly but never ever lubricant the door hinges😂

[@MarySchipke]

Yep, now I have to pull out my toolbox and fix my broken tailgate. Thanks 1000X!

[@MoonChild0678]

For the longest time I had trouble with my tailgate not latching on my 2009 silverado, well after watching this video I finally took it completely apart and found the problem. The center pivet on the assembly that swings open and closes the rods attached to the clips on each side was frozen, so i sprayed it with wd40 really good and then worked it back in forth till it was free and now my tailgate works. Thank you very much on this helpful video.

[@mikemccross350]

My dad recomended me to this channel. Not bad. Trying to revive a Chevy S10 '98 but extra info helps out. Thank you!

[@eamonnmckeown6770]

my '84 S-10 the rods have separated and I need to figure out how to mate them back up again. First I need to get it started for the first time in months!

[@AZHerps]

Everyother video om utube only shows/blames the plastic clips for this issue, , your video showed me EXACTLY what I needed to know and the cause, otherwise I would have been screwing around with it even longer or throwing money at parts that weren't needed. Great video

[@allanmakowsky2134]

Thank you for going so in-depth! Really helped me fix my tailgate! Your channel is now my one stop shop for knowledge!

[@TonyDeBenedictis]

Thankyou for the video. I followed your instructions. Bought a new for 50 bucks and it's all fixed.

[@freddifish6272]

2013 Chevy Silverado. TThanks guys, easy fix for my problem. I will try to keep that handle mechanism lubed up from now on. I didn't really see any rust or corrosion, but with the colder winter weather, I think the grease and gunk that was on the pivot just got to where it wouldn't let the clips pivot like they should. I suppose the return springs on the rods are getting a little tired as well. BUt it is working like new right now. Thanks again. Your how to videos are top notch.

[@cr9953]

Perfect, my 02 started doing this I pulled the handle off and worked it until it loosened up. Glad I didn't have to buy a new one. Thank you

[@WPF465B]

Thank you. Corroded pivot was the issue. It's actually pleasant to shut the gate again. A little penatrant and oil did the trick

[@88heritagesoftail]

Thanks for a great easy to understand video! This helped me diagnose the problem and fixed the frozen latch on my 2013 GMC 2500HD. It's working great now but if it gives me problems again I'll order a new latch mechanism from 1A Auto.

[@jmggai6145]

Did all you said and it worked great. One thing if it is rusted or seized up. You do not have to replace it. Just spray with a rust breaker and move back and forth till loose then lube and it's good to go.

[@JeremypoythressPoythress]

Had to give my hinges a little tap and went back over all the cable/latch bolts. At first I kept messing with my old beat up wobbling tailgate to the point where I bent the latches ,cables and added zip ties to act as bushings. Repaired with All new parts including tailgate and bushings after i straighted everything out again 👌.

[@tomluther1]

Your video is great, I had this exact problem and you showed me how to fix it. Thanks so much !!

[@barrettskillman3047]

Thank you! I’m an ASE certified tech. Class A Had to watch this and it solved my predicament immediately 😂

[@kowanut1]

Great video. No BS and lots of info. Thanks!!!

[@bfg762]

Best video on the issue! Thank you!

[@garryharris3777]

GM's tailgate locks have been failing for 30 years and they never attempt to redesign them. I bought an aftermarket BOLT 5922987 (2007-2013 Silverado) handle with a lock. It looks exactly like the stock handle without the internal design flaw. The lock sets to your ignition key after you perform the first lock.

[@chunkybubs3203]

Super informal, fixed my problems in 20 minutes. Thanks!

[@GW-nu8hc]

Excellent video, very Helpful, Thanks

[@5hills983]

Just did my 2014 F150. The spring behind the handle was dirt, Cleaned the shaft/spring with CC , then lubed,. Problem resolved.

[@mistermeltz]

Youre a legend. Fixed up my 07 chevy classic easily. I managed to snap off the plastic clip and a clip on the housing lmfao 😂

[@markdog3355]

On my 2002 GMC Sierra I added a spring between the two push rods under the handle. There were metal tabs that made it easy. It looks like the tabs have been removed in later models. There was no spring from the factory, but it was obviously in the designers mind. Cleaning and lubricating helped a little, but the spring fixed it. It still works perfectly after three years.

[@AFatToast]

A1 auto is always coming though.

[@PetreHaines]

awesome, thank you for taking the time to show us. worked exactly as you showed.

[@samsaletko7887]

Thank you, very clear and helpful.

[@scottfairchild3991]

Resolved my issue right away. The only thing that I can add is that one of the bolts holds the trim in place (2009 Silverado), so if the trim doesn't move right away, try that.

[@1AAuto]

+Scott Fairchild Thanks for the feedback!

[@mmacmobile]

OK Where do I send the check? LOL Took just a few minutes to find the problem. Yep it was the "frozen" caliper mechanism and a little penetrating oil and silicone spray along with exercising the unit did the trick! Thank you again for another great youtube video!

[@BazookaIke]

right near the end of the video you mentioned moving the pins on each side that the tailgate latches on to. It would have been nice to see you adjust the pins! I didn't know that they could move.

[@derrickmoody2130]

I learned so much from this guy

[@MileageWiz]

Super helpful!!! Thanks.

[@dreadnought2024]

Let's go give it a try! Thanks!

[@MikeJones-rk1un]

Use penetrating oil on all pivot points for this problem. On another subject about my Avalanche tailgate, I noticed I was getting painful invisible splinters when I touched the inside, when the gate is down. Upon closer inspection it looks like the coating on the fiberglass has worn off and I am getting almost invisible glass splinters that can't be seen but can sure be felt. I'm going to try putting some black paint on it to try to seal it again. This is not only a problem for humans but for pets that might jump up also.

[@donoberloh]

The problem I have is the plastic/nylon sleeve on the striker bolt get work down or breaks into two pieces. Then I have play in my tailgate. The side that is sloppy depends on the side that the striker Bolt sleeve is worn.

[@mrpoolplayer6379]

Thanks a bunch.... hope this fixes my Sierra....

[@jillinine8334]

hey! I have a question, how do you pull the pin further out to the latch? My first thought was hammer, but then again, my first thought is always hammer.

[@williamandrews2246]

That's what I needed to see.

[@jeffmartin5699]

Thank you this video help me out alot

[@anthonyfisher4874]

Excellent tutorial, simple!

[@extorter]

What could it be if my bed is difficult to open? Like I have to lean into it with my weight (towards/into the truck) to unlatch it.

[@davec6016]

nice. thank you.

[@Max_brook742]

Super helpful, thank you!

[@rjl2001]

My Dad’s 2006 Silverado 1500 has had the hard to close issue for years, gradually getting worse. This video showed exactly what the issue was. However I did break off a plastic mount on the trim surround piece, where it was secured onto one of the 3 bolts holding the latch on the tailgate. So on that model you would’ve had to undo that bottom mounting bolt before removing the trim piece. Doesn’t appear to have any affect though. Hopefully the PB blaster that loosened it up will last a while before needing to buy a new handle latch.

[@claudebradley5381]

Thank You!!

[@jaysimmance1183]

where can you but the retaining clip that goes on the handle trim, on the bolt that has to be taken out to remove trim?

[@ethanruckert3871]

Thanks for the help my tailgate turned out to have a frozen linkage

[@Migrainemom42]

Awesome!! Thank you!

[@MrTriniman3000]

My truck has this exact problem! Now I know what to do.

[@Mikkeyboyy]

thank you I did mine but they were seized not frozen though

[@mholbrook7341]

I just replaced both hinges on my 2006 Nissan frontier, now the tailgate won’t close because the latches don’t line up with the posts, any recommendations? Everything works it just doesn’t line up

[@TheSupart91]

Thank you

[@MrCosmos110]

Good Stuff ! ! !

[@jerrymauleon]

first check the rubber bumper stop on the tailgate, in my case it was that

[@antoinemageau-taylor1673]

Thank you thats a real good video

[@1AAuto]

+Flavie Mageau-Taylor Thanks for the feedback!

[@AaronAguileraASDFChallengerz]

My latch rods were ziptied together. Took those off took the left rod out closed the tailgate and reinstalled them.

[@broderp]

Glossed over the pin adjustment....

[@أبومنصورالمنتصر-ل3ع]

شكرا كثيرا First comment

[@1AAuto]

+أبومنصور المنتصر Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@DaveSomething]

careful doing that to a Chevy nowadays, the truck could fold!

[@jamesguralski5156]

Awesome

[@waynepietila9806]

Anyone have the rod come off the inside on the lock side while the tailgate is closed? Any suggestions how to pick the lach?

[@richardstewart5499]

Sub’d. Thx!

[@1AAuto]

+Richard Stewart Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@slappytaffy895]

My tail gate doesn’t even align to the lights and does this also and it has all new parts

[@marksmith7054]

simple way is to change the Truck Emblems to FORD, ALL your TRUCK problems are now solved.

[@tukerreme4127]

This video didn't work for my buddies pos chevy

[@jeanpaullavieille5806]

So it's still loose lol 😆 🙃 😅

[@Strive1974]

Chevy proudly makes junk today

[@robertbutler8004]

Whats with the poofy gloves?

[@river1403]

I swear I saw this video before

[@LaurieSouhrada]

Worked perfect! Thank you!

[@okieandy21]

Thank you! Very helpful!