What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Tailgate latch

chris85

chris85

1/2 ton status
 Premium
Joined
May 16, 2006
Posts
1,320
Reaction score
1,225
Location
vicksburg, mississippi
Are there any tricks or fixes for a weak tailgate latch? Taking trim pieces off preparing for paint and started screwing with the latch and I think I made it worse. And there is a rod that sits in a notch in the latch mechanism, attached to a spring, and extends towards the bottom of the tailgate....what is this stupid thing for? Latch seems to work better if I manual hold it out of place but it doesn’t work at all with it in place. I doesn’t seem to serve any purpose as far as I can tell. I’ll get a pic tomorrow.
 
chris85 said:
Are there any tricks or fixes for a weak tailgate latch? Taking trim pieces off preparing for paint and started screwing with the latch and I think I made it worse. And there is a rod that sits in a notch in the latch mechanism, attached to a spring, and extends towards the bottom of the tailgate....what is this stupid thing for? Latch seems to work better if I manual hold it out of place but it doesn’t work at all with it in place. I doesn’t seem to serve any purpose as far as I can tell. I’ll get a pic tomorrow.
Click to expand...
If it’s what I think it is then it to allow the handle to operate only when the window is down. The window presses against it and enables the latch mechanism, forget exactly how.
 
rampage said:
If it’s what I think it is then it to allow the handle to operate only when the window is down. The window presses against it and enables the latch mechanism, forget exactly how.
Click to expand...

Ahhh this might explain it. I took the glass out so the regulator is about halfway up. I’ll put it down tomorrow and see.
 
Safety feature for idiots, just like the safety switch on the inside of the gate.
 
I'm bound and determined to make this thing work. They worked fine for ~20 years, should be a simple matter to make them work like that again.
 
rampage said:
What’s wrong with yours?
Click to expand...

Window sticks halfway up, tailgate key switch intermittently works, exceptionally slow, rolls up unevenly side to side.

Trust me, I am at least double digit hours into working on this thing, all I haven't done is replace components. Apparently I'd rather spend 20 hours trying to bandaid, because I'm not keeping it, than replace what I know is bad with it. :rotfl:

Found some problems, "fixed" them or "improved" the design, but hasn't resolved all the issues. Odd (to me), the ONLY thing that has helped most of these issues, is to leave the window track screws loose. I can't believe the felt strips in the channels do so much, but that is the only thing missing. I inserted some nylon strips to hopefully replace the felt, but it didn't work as I hoped.
 
dyeager535 said:
Window sticks halfway up, tailgate key switch intermittently works, exceptionally slow, rolls up unevenly side to side.

Trust me, I am at least double digit hours into working on this thing, all I haven't done is replace components. Apparently I'd rather spend 20 hours trying to bandaid, because I'm not keeping it, than replace what I know is bad with it. :rotfl:

Found some problems, "fixed" them or "improved" the design, but hasn't resolved all the issues. Odd (to me), the ONLY thing that has helped most of these issues, is to leave the window track screws loose. I can't believe the felt strips in the channels do so much, but that is the only thing missing. I inserted some nylon strips to hopefully replace the felt, but it didn't work as I hoped.
Click to expand...
I’m guessing you’ve already cleaned/re-greased the track the rollers run in and checked the rollers for flat spots.
Are those aftermarket felts? If they are they might be out of spec and to right against the window.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom