Tailgate latch play

[Cbo68]

I purchased a new tailgate latches, handles and rods. I have everything installed correctly but have a lot of play in the rods from the latches to the handle. When it finally grabs and starts to pull the latch springs it only moves it’s an 1/8 maybe a 1/4 before the handle stops. Only way I see to fix this is shim the latches out, shorten the rods, or somehow shorten the slot in the new latches to take up the play. That or these latches that came with the kit are a pos. Any insight on this would be much appreciated. Pictures are the latches. I don’t have the stock hardware or I would reuse.

Thanks

[darrellyates]

You can bend the rods to take slack out of them. Measure the slack, and then the overall length of the rod. Simply bend in the middle until the rods are the correct length, measured straight. There isn't enough load on them to straighten them back out.... Just a thought.

[Cbo68]

Originally Posted by darrellyates

You can bend the rods to take slack out of them. Measure the slack, and then the overall length of the rod. Simply bend in the middle until the rods are the correct length, measured straight. There isn't enough load on them to straighten them back out.... Just a thought.

I ended up making little rectangular shim pieces out of some sheet metal stock and installing them on the latch overlapping the slot about a 1/4”, this shortened the slot in the latch. Worked out great.