2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Tailgate won't latch

[#2DSL]

My tailgate dose not shut as nice as it used to. I have to slam it 5 to 10 times to get it to latch. I lubed up the ends of latch on tailgate. Seams to be free. Has anyone had the same problem and a fix? Thanks

 

[mjoppie]

well i can say i have that same problem, but no fix, sorry i cant help but i would like a fix too

 

[Jschafer]

I had the same problem, I tried everything with the latches and no help. The last thing I did was lubricate at the pull handle latch(center of tailgate) I think I even pulled it out to do this any way it works better than new.

Now I spray lubricant up in it when I spray my door pins and have no problems with it at all.

 

[biggy238]

Mine won't unlatch. I thought the handle was gonna break on that last time.

Any Ideas? Kyle.

 

[#2DSL]

OK cool I'll take handle apart and lube it up. Thanks

 

[cmills]

tailgate

I have a hard time getting mine to latch also, and when it does latch I can almost always just lightly pull on it and it comes open, heck it even falls down alot when I hit bumps in the road, I would also like to know of a fix

 

[CMckee]

you may have to adjust the hinge sockets on the bottom. i know i have had to move mine after i backed into a loading dock or something a touch to hard with the tailgate down,and moved the sockets. they are just held in place by one bolt, if you lossen the bolt you will find there is lots of movement available. just my 02!chris

 

[biggy238]

Mine is missing the bushing on one side (I was suspicious all along) Where can I get a new one?

 

[apkole]

The latch on our '99 truck wasn't releasing the latches when pulled. I took the latch handle assy out and had to rework the components a little. Seems the rod actuators get a little deformed from all of the hard use. Relatively easy to bend back.

 

[Thomas]

Mine is missing the bushing on one side (I was suspicious all along) Where can I get a new one?

Probably the Mopar counter. The part number is from the model year 2000 parts catalog. I imagine model year 1996 is the same.



55274936AC BUSHING, Tailgate Pivot



To make sure we're referring to the same part, the item that Dodge calls the bushing is #16 in this picture.

 

[#2DSL]

Thank you Jschafer for the tip, that was the problem!!!! I took handle assembly out of tailgate and lubed up the two steel arms that pivot in center of handle. They were not free in pivot. Kept spaying lube on them and worked them free. If they stick like mine where it will keep latch from closing because sring in latch can't overcome the sticking steel arms in handle assembly. Works like new. Thanks again.

 

[biggy238]

Thomas

That looks alot like it. Thank you.