Tailgate innards

[Dirsuper]

I searched. '88 K5 (Silverado).

Problem: Lift up handle to lower tailgate, tailgate does not unlatch.

Finding: The 'bar' which is attached to the handle and moves to push and activate the other two bars which unlatch the tailgate is bending. When you lift the handle the bar just bends. I straightened it, but it just bends again.

Issues: Anyone know where I can get those types of parts? LMC does not have it, Cheyenne Pickup Parts does not. And that exhausted my knowledge of where to possibly get these types of parts.
Also, does anyone know how the hell you get that bar disconnected (short of breaking the little tab thing) from the handle? I removed the window motor so I can see it pretty well, but I cannot figure out how to get that clip/tab thing to release the bar without destroying it.

Greatly appreciate any/all.

 

[Dirsuper]

Bumping because I finally got a free weekend to attempt to address this again.

 

[Gunnar1971]

I was having the same problem, I just covered the springs and latches in PB blaster and it loosened things up enough to work, even with my bar bending a bit.

 

[Dirsuper]

Thanks bro. Just so anyone else who runs into this knows, I removed the suspect bar, took it to my local one-man welding shop, and for $10 (and in about 10 minutes) he fixed it, stronger than new. Installed bar, works like a champ.