For guys running the Tailgate's

[99Yuk]

As the title says, Does anyone running tailgates have a problem with the glass not closing all the way?

My latch doesn't seem to close all the way all the time. If I slam it, sometimes the latch will catch, and the fit will be snug, rattle and dust free. However sometimes as I'm driving it will pop to a second, less snug position(still closed though, won't open until the button on dash is pushed or keyfob), or more often or not it when closing, it stays at this second less snug position.
I have to use weatherstripping to keep it rattle free, and dust out.

Any one else having this problem?
This question was asked in another thread by another member, but can we somehow adjust the latch for a better fitting glass top?

 

[fyremanpat]

Yes it can be adjusted. You will need to take off the interior panel. It has like 10-12 screws, there will probably be a clear plastic sheet covering everything. You will need to pull that back to uncover a 8in x 10in black metal panel. After removing that you will see the mounting bolts for the latch. Simply loosen them and slide the latch to the desired position, tighten and put back together... hope this helps

 

[99Yuk]

Perfect, thanks! I'm going to print this out and try it this weekend.

 

[Bad bow tie]

I've had mine for almost 5 years now, its 15 years old and I just rolled over 199k yesterday and I have never had it rattle or not shut tight for me. I love my tailgate because there is no obstructed view, and if it ever does do what yours is doing, looks like I know how to adjust it now!

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

mine gives me problems in the winter when it gets damn cold. won't latch, have to "bounce" it a few times then it catches like normal. other than that no problems other than a bit of a rattle when the subs are hittin really hard.

 

[99Yuk]

So yesterday I took my tailgate apart to see what I could do.

I thought that it would be as simple as loosening some bolts, making my adjustments and then tightening things back up. However I'm having a problem.

Even if all of the bolts are out, using a screwdriver, I can only latch up to the snug position 50% of the time, and I can't seem to find out why. I think it's because the release arm is too worn out and loose, and doesn't come back far enough all of the time to allow the latch in all the way to the second stop.

Unless you guys know of a trick, then I think I'm into a new latch mechanism.

I took some pics, so you could see what I did and make some suggestions?

I've used a phillips screwdriver, and 10mm and a 13mm socket.


1) Open the tailgate.

2) Using the screwdriver, remove the screws holding the plastic on. The screws at the top of the tailgate are lponger than the screws everywhere else. Put these aside. Remove the plastic/fabric cover.

3) Use the 10mm socket to remove these bolts and put aside. Then remove the black metal plate.

4) Remove the black rubber dust guard.

5) You should finally be able to see the Latch mechanism. Outlined in blue is what I think that I have to replace.

6) While I was in there, I took this oppurtuninty to adjust the tailgate handle to make it easier for me to open.

For reference, I took photos of the three latch positions.

Open;

The second, not snug, but at least closed position where I seem to sit at all of the time;

The fully closed, snug, where you guys all seem to be position;

Of coarse, I had some helpers who for some reason thought they were going for a truck ride when I opened the back!

 

[Rebelution]

Holy hell man spray out those door jambs next time you're at the car wash lol.

 

[raptorforme93]

Have you tried spring it with wd40? Sometimes that helps everything move easier and will fix your problem. I have never had your problem but my latch didnt always release when I hit the botton and after I sprayed it worked great.

 

[99Yuk]

Have you tried spring it with wd40? Sometimes that helps everything move easier and will fix your problem. I have never had your problem but my latch didnt always release when I hit the botton and after I sprayed it worked great.

Thanks for the suggestion. I read this and tried it. It didn't work though.

I had our Old guy Mech look at it, and he wiggled this and moved that. Eventually he came back and said that it was plumb worn out and should be replaced.

Ok, fine. I have no problem replacing old stuff when worn out.
I found this webpage. Good stuff! By looking at the diagram, I determined that I need part #30 on that diagram which translates to Gmc Part# 16638936.

What sucks is that part# has been discontinued! I can't buy a new one! Arggg!

So I live with it, or I take a chance on junkyard stock.
Stupid GM restructuring!

If anyone has a good one for sale???

 

[sleepr]

I adjusted my latch assembly but I never noticed a "snug" position, just an open and latched position.

Maybe you need to elongate some of the holes to get more adjustment out of it? I almost had to do that but I did get it.

Where are you located in Ontario? I'm in kitchener.

 

[LazyAssLou]

Blah! I thought this thread was about football tailgating! I got all excitied for nothing =/ ...

 

[99Yuk]

I adjusted my latch assembly but I never noticed a "snug" position, just an open and latched position.

Maybe you need to elongate some of the holes to get more adjustment out of it? I almost had to do that but I did get it.

Where are you located in Ontario? I'm in kitchener.

I'm a little bit North of you....ok, alot North of you. I live in Cochrane, but I work in Sudbury. Sudbury is about 6-7 hours drive North of you, and then Cochrane is another 7-8 hours drive north of Sudbury. I think that it's pretty wild that you can drive for two days and still be in the same province. Hey, isn't Kitchener home of RIM? RIM is part of my bread and butter. Those pesky BES servers are a PITA!!!!!!!

---------- Post added at 04:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:56 PM ----------

Blah! I thought this thread was about football tailgating! I got all excitied for nothing =/ ...

Bah, that's American football, who watches that! CFL is where it's at! Ahhh, classic Hamilton Tigercats vs Winnepeg Bluebombers matches. Besides it's too cold up here to sit out on the tailgate! We only have two months of bad skiing you know. We've already had frost most of this week, and the leaves are orange and almost gone now. I expect the first snowfall anyday now.

 

[Danny_Z56]

I just popped my rear window,took a wrench and loosened the nut,moved the latch thingy inword some,and retightend the nut,closed window,and done.

I did not drop my tailgate or remove the tailgate cover to do this.

It did seem to help my interier light 'flickering' issue when ever i went over bumps.

Hope the new part solves your issue,keep us posted please.

P.S. seeing as how my Tahoe was a D.O.T. unit,im thinking that the tailgate was used alot...you know,taking in and out the scales and what not.This could wear out parts pretty quick.

 

[99Yuk]

Actually, you have a good idea!

I've been running all week without any bolts in it, just loosey goosey. What if I try doing what you said and see if that helps at all. I checked the local bone yards and they have nothing. I'm thinking that I'm gonna have to start calling Toronto bone yards, if your trick doesn't help.

I'll try it tomorrow when I get home.

 

[sleepr]

99yuk, I know exactly where Cochrane is, I've done a lot of work for trans canada pipelines and have spent some time up around there and Kap. RIM is here in waterloo, around here everyone knows someone who works for RIM!!

 

[diesel1114]

hi guys i have had the same problem with the window not looking like it ws closed to well, it was closed but not flush and i brought my 97 hoe to work and brough it inside the shop, i made the adjustments like you guys have pictured" great help by the way " and got it alot better than what it was , also i think i might need to elongate the hole to get the lock/latch to pull in the rear hatch more and almost get it flush

 

[arveetek]

Have you checked LMC truck to see if they have a replacement latch? Sometimes they have parts that have been discontinued by GM.

The days of GM stocking parts for 30 + years of vehicles are long gone. *sigh*

By the way, my window doesn't have a secondary latch that I know of, just latched or not latched. Sometimes my tailgate doesn't shut all the way, and I'll have to slam it a bit harder, and then everything is okay.

Casey

 

[99Yuk]

Holy hell man spray out those door jambs next time you're at the car wash lol.

No way! That's my Krown rustproofing hard at work there! Either that or I travel alot of gravel roads... Either way, if I clean it, it'll come back in a week.



So, I've been running with no bolts of any kind in there for a few weeks now, while I'm looking for a replacement part. I finally noticed this afternoon after running into Home Depot, that I havn't been hearing the rattling noise lately. I look, sure enough it's closing snugly. The top latch bolt is almost falling out of the hole, but it's working. So, I'm thinking of just putting the plate covers back on, and leaving the whole thing loosy-goosy.

Whatcha think?

---------- Post added at 11:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:29 PM ----------

Have you checked LMC truck to see if they have a replacement latch? Sometimes they have parts that have been discontinued by GM.

The days of GM stocking parts for 30 + years of vehicles are long gone. *sigh*

By the way, my window doesn't have a secondary latch that I know of, just latched or not latched. Sometimes my tailgate doesn't shut all the way, and I'll have to slam it a bit harder, and then everything is okay.

Casey

No, I havn't. but I'll try on Monday. Thanks for the tip.
My window used to work with the slamming trick for the last two years, but this summer it decided it didn't want to play that game any more.

hehe, I like one member here's avatar, it's Government Motors. I get a kick out of that. I don't like it, but I do get a kick out of that.

 

[99Yuk]

UPDATE:

A couple of weeks ago, the glass stopped latching altogether. I needed a rope tied to a tiedown to keep the glass shut.

I tried car-parts.com and found a complete tailgate in stock at a local wrecker. $200 got me a 95 Yukon tailgate.
It got installed yesterday! I like it! For the first time in months my tailgate opens and closes properly and with no rattling!

I wish I had known about car-parts.com before. I used it to get me a rear view mirror out of Ottawa a couple of weeks ago too. $40 shipped!

 

[AtomicHoe094]

nice. sometimes those things are a pain to even adjust to close properly. Just a stupid awful design from GM, easy as hell to get in one too