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Tailgate Support Cables

R

RJB44

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Dec 3, 2005
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I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for replacing the tailgate support cables. One of mine just broke this morning. I was at my junk yard last week and the didn't have any blazers or suburbans, and I don't think the older Chevy pickups used the cables for their tailgates. LMC wants $20 a piece. I take these are availible at local parts store.

Thanks
 
Let me start by saying that the Blazer and Suburban cables ARE NOT the same so don't even look at burbs as a donor for the cable. IIRC the cables can be bought in an auto parts store (maybe through the help line). I would say though that 20.00 a cable isn't bad on price. Classic Parts has them but they're listed for 24.95 each.
 
Do a search on eBay for blazer k5 tailgate cables and you will find a guy selling them for 26.15 shipped. Not bad for a pair.
 
Random question but are these supposed to bear weight? With the tailgate down neither of mine are actually bearing weight. You can grab them and just sorta pull them around without any effort.
Thinking maybe they stretched and now it's just hanging on the hinges?
 
I just bought ones for my burb from this company on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0173682370&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Quick shipping, the cables are a hair longer than the ones that were on there, but teh tailgate still clears the bumper, so whatever. They are also a little thinner, but its what i could find for a decent deal. Ends look factory, and they look to be good quality.

AJM, my burb ones DEFINITELY bear weight.

Does your tailgate sit level when open? Does it hit the bumper?
 
Seems to be level and doesn't hit the bumper.
 
AJMBlazer
They ARE supposed to bear the weight and stop the t-gate from sitting on the bumper or over flexing the hinges. Either your cables are too long or broken inside the cable sheath.

I think my cables cost me about 12 each at the local parts store. No shipping and on the shelf ready to go.
 
Hrm, gonna have to fix that then. Thanks guys.
 
Still haven't fixed this. Don't put the tailgate down very much though.
 
The thing is, it still doesn't actually touch the bumper or anything.
 
mine is the same way. I think my hinges are bearing all the weight though, they screech loud when I open the tailgate and I actually have to push the tailgate down (it doesn't just drop).
 
Yow. Mine doesn't do that at all. Swings up and down freely.
 
Random but try lubing them good. Mine used to make a bit of noise when it opened and shut.
 
Just be careful if you're taking off the old cables... did that and snapped off the welded nut inside the tailgate. So my blazer currently only has one cable... seems to do ok like that, though. Just more work than it's worth to get a new one welded on.

On a somewhat related note, my tailgate is extremely difficult to get to open. My wife can't get it to. I have to pull the handle, throw my weight into it, then it unlatches, and is real heavy on the way down- like DK5 was saying. Any ideas? More concerned with the opening. I'll try lubing to see if that helps drop it.
 
I used some Royal Purple chain lube. Works wonders on hinges and stuff.
 
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