2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission R&R dirvers side tailgate latch

[TboneMan]

Last winter's extra cold and snowy winter left my tailgate latch needing some work. The tailgate won't stay closed. There is a leaver that faces upwards when the tailgate is down, This leaver doesn't want to flick back into place after I open the tailgate. I use a small screw driver to push the leaver toward the front of the truck. With the leaver in the correct position the tailgate closes. Needless to say this is a pain in the butt.



How hard is it to mess with these latches? Can it be down from the side or do I have to take the whole tail gate apart?



Any advice would be greatly appriciated.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Sounds to me like it just needs some lube. My driver side latch started acting sticky not long ago so I sprayed it with some lube and problem solved. Also if you do need to remove it, it's not hard.

 

[TboneMan]

Nope I tried lubing it. My guess is that here is a broken spring or something like that.