Tailgate Release
Question:
Hi all, I have an ‘88 Chevy K-1500. Recently the tailgate release decided that it wasn’t going to pull the "catches" far enough out for me to drop the tailgate. I finally did get it down with some persuasion. My figuring is that the assembly can be tightened, replaced, etc. but I am unsure how to access it. On the inside of the gate there are three large bolts but no access panel. Looked in the service manual but it only shows how to take the gate off. 
Can someone please explain to me how/if there is a way to get to the inside to repair, tighten, etc. the assembly so I can use the gate again. Thanks in advance, Tim
Response:
I have a ‘90 GMC Sierra and just fixed, I hope, what you are talking about. Your apparatus should be similar to mine. There is no access panel. It will pay to dismantle the works so you can lube it. You will need a star socket for your ratchet, or similar tool. Remove the flanges on both sides of the gate. See if you can free up the striker enough to make it catch. If not… Unscrew the bolts you saw on the inside of the tailgate and be prepared to remove the handle from the other side. It will be attached to 2 rods, each coming from one side and attached to springs which work the strikers. There should be nylon holders which tie the rods to the handle. They should be pried off to unhook the rods. Hope I gave you enough info Dexter
Response:
You might try shooting it with PB Blaster and letting it soak for 3-5 days while working it gently. Sounds like the mechanism was never lubed. If you can get it freed up, follow with spray grease.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all, > I have an ‘88 Chevy K-1500. Recently the tailgate release decided that it > wasn’t going to pull the "catches" far enough out for me to drop the > tailgate. I finally did get it down with some persuasion. My figuring is > that the assembly can be tightened, replaced, etc. but I am unsure how to > access it. On the inside of the gate there are three large bolts but no > access panel. Looked in the service manual but it only shows how to take > the gate off. > Can someone please explain to me how/if there is a way to get to the > inside to repair, tighten, etc. the assembly so I can use the gate again. > Thanks in advance, > Tim
Response:
My ‘88 S10 had the reverse problem where the latches wouldn’t go back out far enough. I ended up having to replace the handle assembly with a new one from the dealer ($45cdn+tx). The system consists of the spring loaded latches at the sides of the tailgate, the handle assembly, and metal rods that connect the handle assembly to the latches. I scanned the exploded view of the S10 box which shows the parts. I assume the full size would be essentially the same. http://www3.sympatico.ca/sbegg/images/88box.jpg When you pull on the handle, there’s a plate behind it that rotates, that pulls on the connecting rods, that pull on the latches. In my case that pivot point for the plate had become corroded so that the plate no longer rotated freely which interfered with the spring tension being able to fully pull the latches out. The handle itself was also slightly bent which meant that the lever which pushes on the plate to rotate it, wasn’t able to force it through the full motion. Those three bolts are what hold the handle assembly to the tailgate. If memory serves, to remove then handle you have to remove those bolts then try to maneuver the handle such that you can release the connecting rods by getting some needle nose pliers in there to pull off the metal ’sheath’ that holds each rod in place. Once those are disconnected then handle assembly can be removed, albeit it’s a tight fit to yank it out of there. Once replaced the tailgate worked like new. Hope this helps. Steve
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all, > I have an ‘88 Chevy K-1500. Recently the tailgate release decided that it > wasn’t going to pull the "catches" far enough out for me to drop the > tailgate. I finally did get it down with some persuasion. My figuring is > that the assembly can be tightened, replaced, etc. but I am unsure how to > access it. On the inside of the gate there are three large bolts but no > access panel. Looked in the service manual but it only shows how to take > the gate off. > Can someone please explain to me how/if there is a way to get to the > inside to repair, tighten, etc. the assembly so I can use the gate again. > Thanks in advance, > Tim
