2015 GMC Sierra Tailgate bushing issue

I had been having nothing but issues with the easy open tailgate bushing breaking. It has been replaced 4 times now by my local dealer and all have been under warranty. The last one was replaced a week ago and was covered under a customer satisfaction policy. I purchased one since I knew they were tired of covering them and went to install today and it broke immediately. I started looking and found the mount on the tailgate is bent and breaks the bushing once installed causing it to break apart when the tailgate is opened and pressure is placed on it. Hopefully this video will help others who have had similar issues and the dealer hasn’t been able to figure out the root cause.

[@Ensign_Parker]

After reading the comments and seeing the issue with where the bushing slides on, I took a pair of vice grips and use them diagonally from the corner of the malformed side of the bracket and little by little, was able to squeeze it back to the shape it’s supposed to be in. Then the new bushing slid on with absolutely no problem whatsoever. I’m thinking it should last a very long time now since there is no stress on it from the bracket being out of shape.

[@evolutionaluminum2336]

I have been trying to figure that out for awhile , thanks for the info

[@dablingtime]

Hey all, I just glued my new bushing in with some JB weld original and it is ROCK SOLID. It works by filling the those gaps between the bad bracket and the correct busing shape. I mixed it and coated all bushing surfaces that are suppose to contact the bracket with a layer of JB including the bottom using a toothpick . You don't need to fill the bushing groove just get the surfaces covered. As you install the bushing the JB will fill and squish out as needed. Good luck

[@TurnerMobileDetailing]

Thank you for this, my bushing just broke

[@laketrashful]

2015 Silverado here, the same bushing on mine just crapped out. Great video. Thank you.

[@shawnbeckerink336]

Thank God I found this video. I have a 2018 Chevy 3500hd which has been to the dealer for the 5th time with the same problem. Finally GM is involved and they are now hearing my frustration. All of this is under warranty but this is getting ridiculous!! They keep replacing the bushing and guess what, it happens again. I think it is time for a new tailgate and start fresh.

[@catpartsforyou]

Shawn Beckerink I told my dealer so was fed up with this issue as well. They said GM wasn’t going to replace the tailgate. The dealer told me after the 4 or 5 time it was in, I was doing something to cause it. That’s when I started looking on my own for a solution and noticed this. I showed them this and they fixed it. It’s not been broke since.

[@dablingtime]

Really nice video! Finally someone who does some analyzing to find root cause. I actually never took mine apart to study it like you did, but I would have done the exact same thing and would have figured out a way to bend that flange straight so the load is applied evenly to the plastic. I just opted for the DeeZee and it works amazingly well. I might just give it a go anyway. Thank you!

[@catpartsforyou]

dablingtime I got tired of the thing breaking and ordered a Dee Zee as well. But since i found the cause of the bushing breaking, it hasn’t broke since.

[@dablingtime]

@@catpartsforyou You mean the plastic has not broken since the last time you replaced it and after adding the DeeZee? Or did you bend that metal straight which now supports plastic properly? I wonder if they changed the plastic composition to make it stronger? Considering the price of the plastic you sure get a lot more for your money with the DeeZee and something that's easy to understand how it works.

[@catpartsforyou]

dablingtime I showed the dealer and they straightened the metal piece and put the new bushing I show in the video on. After that was installed and didn’t break anymore, I installed the Dee Zee for added insurance I wouldn’t have anymore issues. I didn’t want to chance it breaking again when my kids were opening the gate and it fall on them.

[@dablingtime]

@@catpartsforyou Excellent! I just went out and gave a try at bending that bracket straight and it's not going to be easy. I'm considering getting a new bushing and using JB weld or some kind of epoxy, and glue the thing in to fill the gaps. I might try explaining the problem like you did and maybe they'll try to bend it as well before I start glueing.

[@catpartsforyou]

dablingtime show then this video. Other have and have had the issue fixed.

[@Dan-rw4ph]

Thanks. 15 seconds and a pair of vise grips. Problem solved. Dealers are all about the money.

[@lorddalron3816]

Mine is the same year and has the same issues

[@GapCracker]

It's not treated steel, so strip the paint on it, hit it with a torch, straighten it, then quench it to harden it, and hit it with a can of matching paint from pep-boys or etc. It's not a part you see, and a dealership isn't going to have a good fix for a design flaw, it's going to happen again if you straighten it and it's not hardened.

[@jordanrobillard6446]

I have the same problem, 4th time it has broken, I had them replace the bracket as well and the new bushing broke again the other day.

[@tylersmith6979]

Had my truck for a year on number 6

[@catpartsforyou]

I just did an eBay search for the tailgate bushing. It’s an easy fix to replace the bushing but to fix the bushing mounting tab, you need to bend the bent side. My dealer fixed mine the last time.

[@dablingtime]

Awesome! Thanks again

[@dablingtime]

I just glued my bushing in with JB's welds "Original" mix and I think it's going to do the trick nicely to fill any gaps. Anyone wanting to give it a shot I used enough glue to cover, no necessarily fill the grove, all surfaces of bushing including flat on bottom with nub sticking out, with glue that contact the metal bracket. As you push it on it will squish out to fill voids. Time will tell if it works. It's got to help. Good luck

[@mikebaker1307]

dablingtime One year later, how’s it holding up?

[@-Hood-]

How did they fix it? Did they bend it inward?

[@catpartsforyou]

@@-Hood- I guess, I’m not certain. All I know is I haven’t had the issue since showing them this and their fix, what ever it was.

[@jordanrobillard6446]

This is starting to become more and more of a known issue. GM needs to step up and say it was bad quality assurance on their part from the get go. For $70,000 I expect perfection.

[@nutzthomas]

I'm on 2nd break 2016 2500hd

[@alexramirezpro]

I noticed mine with a crack today. What does it do when it is broken? I do not notice anything on mine but wonder if it will start making any noises or wobble if I do not fix it.

[@catpartsforyou]

When it's broke, the tailgate just drops. There is no slow opening.

[@stevenquinn8331]

My 2018 just broke today. Truck is 15 months old

[@jordanrobillard6446]

Hey Dustin, what was the result of bringing it back to the dealer? Did they fix it? Did you have to pay anything out of pocket?

[@catpartsforyou]

Mine was still under the extended warranty. They bent the bracket back to straight and installed a new bushing.

[@jordanrobillard6446]

@@catpartsforyou they still made me pay $100 deductible and a diagnosis fee. Thanks for the video to show I'm not alone lol

[@guypawlak8762]

2019 GMC Sierra Limited bushing broke. Balked at Dealer asking $70 USD for piece of plastic. Found an aftermarket one with good reviews online for about $11. It fits on the tailgate just fine, but tailgate won't slip in at the 45 degrees with it on. Seems it is too snug. Tapping and forcing does not work either. Anyone else have that issue?

[@guypawlak8762]

Ok, the issue with the passenger bushing not fitting (and bushing breakage) was a bent horseshoe shaped male hinge on the tailgate. This caused a misalignment between the tailgate hinge (passenger side) with the horseshoe shaped male tailgate hinge. I took the tailgate off and re-shaped the tailgate's horseshoe hinge using channel locks. The aftermarket bushing fits and is working just fine...so far.

[@timcochran1385]

I have thew exact same issue on my '15 Sierra. I would expect them to fix this at no cost. Any luck with that?

[@catpartsforyou]

They fixed mine at no cost but that’s also been several years ago. The dealer didn’t really like the fact that I figured out the problem they couldn’t find but fixed it anyway.

[@joeskelly1097]

Mine are bad. Anyone got a link? 2014 Silverado

[@bernie9728]

I replaced mine and $11 for two of them on Amazon.

[@redchevy0282]

I have the same problem though I fix and it keeps coming back. Leave it to to make crappy tailgates like all there tailgates have problems

[@weejimsdad]

Incredibly, they are 45 dollars up here in Canada!!!!!!!!!. Effing insane for a small piece of plastic. Find somebody with a 3D printer.........

[@SSGMcQueen]

What is the part number. Mine just broke for the first time.

[@catpartsforyou]

McQueen Outdoors I am not real sure what the part number is. My local dealer gave me the number when it broke the last time. I can’t find where I bought it on eBay anymore.

[@mstaj1]

Mine just broke, ordered PN 84331136.

[@davef9224]

My 2106 is on its 3rd bushing.Bad design

[@petesspspsps]

Are we sure the bushing mount isn't designed with a bend? Mine is bent too, but if everyone's is, maybe that not the issue. Rather, maybe it was designed that way and the bushings are just cheap.

[@catpartsforyou]

Not sue on that. My truck was made in Mexico and i'd be curious if the other trucks with the bent mount were made there as well. Once it was straightened, I haven't had another bushing break.

[@petesspspsps]

@@catpartsforyou I agree. Just after seeing the issue in all of our trucks, I figured it could be a design flaw rather than it bending over time. But could be either one.