Source for tailgate cable springs?

[dyeager535]

Checked with the GM dealers, parts are discontinued. Springs are specific left/right side, and from what I've seen lately, almost universally broken.

You know the piece...the one that keeps your tailgate cables from bending outward when you close the gate and getting pinched between the body. They fit around the bolt on the tailgate side of the cable.

I succeeded in making one tonight (not quite right, but works) out of spring steel, but more work than worth it for the $3 they cost when GM was still selling them. Only posts on them I could find here were saying they were discontinued about two years back.

 

[ryoken]

if ya now the specs, or close.. try mcmastercarr.. they have a ridiculous spring variety, materials, sizes, etc..

 

[dyeager535]

Have you looked at one of these things? LOL. Unfortunately I can't find a picture.

Pretty sure they weren't sourced off the shelf...one end has a "U" that holds the cable, which is also angled towards the middle of the truck, then the middle has two wraps the diameter of the bolt shank (1/2?) then a piece sticks back to provide the tension for the whole thing, at a 90* to the rest of the spring.

I've looked at McMaster before, I think I'd be weeks just looking for this one spring.

I will have to check what diameter wire I used to make it, just happened to be the same diameter as what GM used.

 

[ryoken]

well, i figured you might find a good base one that you could modify/bend a bit as needed..

 

[dyeager535]

Not a bad idea, hadn't though of it that way!

These small springs wouldn't be so bad to make if you had all the jigs for the bends.

 

[Irish1941]

Pretty sure I got a source for those but until I remember where, PM your address and I'll send you some. Got more than a few laying around.

 

[djkonore]

LMC Truck have them. Page 44 #37 $24.95 each, (a bit pricey)

 

[dyeager535]

For $24.95 I'll keep making my own. That's more than the cable itself.

PM En route Irish!