Tailgate trunion?

[TBONE1964]

About 2 years ago, I changed the tail gate on my truck. I bought a very nice original gate that was better (no huge bow) than my original. The truck is a 1972 Cheyenne and the gate I had fit nice.

With the new gate however, it rattles like crazy. I can grab it while shut and move the bottom of the gate in and out at least 3/8 of an inch. When I have the slider open on these wonderful Michigan roads, it drive me nuts to listen to it rattle. I have tried making some adjustments to help but nothing works.

My question is, did GM ever chance the size of these trunions? The gate I replaced fir real nice and not sloppy loose like the new gate. Nothing looks rusty or wore out to me.

Any help is appreciated,
Tom

[LockDoc]

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Are the rubber bumpers in place on the inside lip of the bed? If so you can loosen the bolts in the trunions and strikers and move them in a little to tighten the tailgate up.

LockDoc

[FirstOwner69]

I discovered tonight that my left side striker was too far forward and that side was not latching. Therefore, check as LockDoc said, but also make sure both sides are latching.

[litew8]

I put the rubber bumpers on mine today and they seem too small to stay. Then, I have small thick rectangle rubber stops?? Where do those go? Any pics?

edited: I found a pic

The small round bumpers go in the top hole (empty on this pic) I think. I see where the square rubber goes (bottom) but looks out of place. Is that right.



HAHA this is actually your pic Lock Doc!
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=296024

[FirstOwner69]

That's correct. Here's mine. I believe they are to keep the straps from rattling.

[TBONE1964]

I agree that the small round one on the top is there to create a small amount of pre-load on the latch to prevent rattles.

The square one down lower is to prevent the straps from rattling, I agree with that.

I have both in place. I also have no back and forth movement on the top side of the gate. The latches are adjusted correctly.

It is the bottom of the gate that has play and it is there because the trunion seems to small for the gate hole which allows play. It does not seem to matter how I adjust the trunion side, I get this play which allows the bottom of the gate to move around and rattle.

I could fix it with lumber wedges if I never wanted to open the gate but that is not an option. I am asking if anyone knows if these trunions were two different sizes between 1967 and 1972?

Thank you for all of the replys,
Tom

[turp mcspray]

On the tailgate, the upper lip of the trunnion pocket, can be hammered downward to tighten up the trunnion to pocket fit. If you have excessive side to side movement, put some washers behind one or both trunnions. Seems like I have also done some welding on either a gate or a trunnion to get rid of some play as well.

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by turp mcspray

On the tailgate, the upper lip of the trunnion pocket, can be hammered downward to tighten up the trunnion to pocket fit. If you have excessive side to side movement, put some washers behind one or both trunnions. Seems like I have also done some welding on either a gate or a trunnion to get rid of some play as well.

I think that is going to be the fix. The old gate with these same trunions did not have any for/aft or left to right movement. I think the gate pockets are wore out and I will try your idea of whacking some of the clearance out of them.

Thank you,
Tom

[turp mcspray]

If the other gate fit fine, then I would for sure be looking at the other gates pockets. I don't remember the specific details, but I know that I have had to fix this same issue in the past.

[1966chevy]

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