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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Bountiful, Utah
Posts: 9
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Fleetside tailgate latch problem
When I open my fleetside tailgate, the latches on the sides of the tailgate do not return to the fully extened position. When this happens, my tail gate won't stay closed until I grab each latch with pliers and pull them completely out. The Chevy service manual does not provide any real explanation for this installation. Is there a spring at the handle in the center of the tailgate that may be weak or broken, or are there springs out at each latch that should puch them back out? Help!
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72 Money Pit 1972 Cheyenne K20, crate 290 hp 350, GM HEI, 4 spd, 4:10 w/Detroit Locker in corporate 14-bolt [SIZE="3"]Twice as much invested in it as I could ever hope to get out of it, and still spending![/SIZE] ![]() |
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#2 |
Too Dumb To Know Better
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 882
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Re: Fleetside tailgate latch problem
I would assume you've greased the heck out of it, right? Is the gate bowed out?
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Bountiful, Utah
Posts: 9
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Re: Fleetside tailgate latch problem
I have sprayed the two latches, but I have not been inside the tailgate. The TG is not bowed or otherwise damaged, I am just hesitant to tear into it without knowing how it works. Besides, I have a list of other projects ahead of it!
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72 Money Pit 1972 Cheyenne K20, crate 290 hp 350, GM HEI, 4 spd, 4:10 w/Detroit Locker in corporate 14-bolt [SIZE="3"]Twice as much invested in it as I could ever hope to get out of it, and still spending![/SIZE] ![]() |
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#4 |
Post Whore
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Owensboro KY
Posts: 11,905
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Re: Fleetside tailgate latch problem
what did you spray the latches with? If it was WD-40 or a similar product don't use those they are just mild lubricants for the latches you want to get some white lithium spray grease and grease the heck out of them then continuously move them back and forth, if that doesn't get them working then something is wrong on the inside.
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Drew '71 Chevy 350/TH350 Hugger Orange Currently just a rolling frame, body work soon to follow!!! Check out my Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=212927 Daily Driver: 1997 Chevrolet S-10 with more gears than pistons ![]() |
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#5 |
huh ???
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Fredericksburg,Va.
Posts: 3,369
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Re: Fleetside tailgate latch problem
The springs are at each end. How freely does the handle move?
Chuck
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90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!" |
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#6 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Center City, MN, USA
Posts: 3,254
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Re: Fleetside tailgate latch problem
Quote:
To fix your tailgate, I'd spray the latches with PB Blaster or some other similar penetrating oil, work the latches with the pliers or whatever it takes, then lube them with a quality lubricant.
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'70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN |
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