1997 Chevy Truck Tailgate Repair

1997 CHEVROLET TRUCK
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CHRISROSE87
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  • 2 POSTS
1997 Chevy Truck Four Wheel Drive Automatic

I have a 1997 Chevrolet K1500 pickup. The handle to open the tailgate doesn't retract the pins enough to release it. So I can't open my tailgate. I removed the three screws from the inside of the tailgate and removed the insert. I sprayed all the moving parts with some WD40 and tried to work it in a bit but the pins just won't retract far enough when I pull the handle.
Sep 20, 2010 at 11:14 PM
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MADMIKE1735
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 951 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
the part your referring to has a short linkage that rotates the "crank" mechanism... the short linkage is hooked directly to the tailgate handle.... on either side of the "crank" should be long actuating rods that go to the end of your tailgate on each side....the wedges are what seize up, and should be lubricated and worked free... a can of PB blaster should do the trick. hope this helps.
Sep 20, 2010 at 11:21 PM
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CHRISROSE87
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Thanks! I'll give that a try.
Sep 20, 2010 at 11:36 PM
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