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Jeff K
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« on: January 31, 2011, 08:29:42 AM » |
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My Father's 2003 Chevy Silverado truck with the composite box has constant issues with the tailgate freezing open.
I'm trying to avoid joining another forum for stuff I don't own. I already belong to a Jeep, Polaris, etc...
Maybe someone here has a solution that I can relay to him. I told him to take it off and bring it in the house to thaw. But it freezes again and again.
Any thoughts? He says he can't see anyway to lube the inside workings. I don't have one to look at.
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Big Rig
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« Reply #1 on: January 31, 2011, 08:40:44 AM » |
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Move south!  Sorry could not resist.  |
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eric in md
Member
Posts: 2495
ride hard now we all can rest when were gone !!!
in the mountains .......cumberland md
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« Reply #2 on: January 31, 2011, 08:41:42 AM » |
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lube it .... get some good cable lube , i know there no cables but it is good lube.. really lube it up and try it
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Momz
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« Reply #3 on: January 31, 2011, 02:18:51 PM » |
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A very common problem with the last generation Sierras and Silverados.
Most Chevy and GMC dealers will exchange tailgates for 1500 -1700 dollars or you can get a new replacement for around 2100 dollars.
Funny thing that the dealers always seem to have a few tailgates in the proper color in stock,...as well as rebuilt dash panels.
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 ALWAYS QUESTION AUTHORITY! 97 Valk bobber, 98 Valk Rat Rod, 2K SuperValk, plus several other classic bikes |
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RoadKill
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« Reply #4 on: January 31, 2011, 02:52:45 PM » |
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How cold are we talking? Maybe a dry lubricant like graphite ? I used to spend alot of my time keeping tailgates working , now i just remove them when not needed and use nets or 2x6 lumber rest of the time. Flat bed aint pretty but it's functional!  Buy an OLD truck!  |
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Jeff K
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« Reply #6 on: January 31, 2011, 04:17:12 PM » |
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It's a composite box and tailgate. Very light. But every time he washes it in the winter the tail gate will open but won't re latch. He takes it inside for a couple of days and it thaws and drys and it's fine till next time.
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R J
Member
Posts: 13380
DS-0009 ...... # 173
Des Moines, IA
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« Reply #7 on: January 31, 2011, 04:18:43 PM » |
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Jeff, our old pickie up at the shop used to do that.
One day I asked the grandson to go lube it up. He is our parts chaser after school and during the summer.
He did, he sprayed silicone in it and it has not failed since.
Don't ask, as I have no idea why the silly cone worked. That was his idea, not mine or his dad's.
We also use it to keep the rubber on the bottom of the overhead door from freezing to the floor. We get a lot of traffic through that door everyday and don't always have time to squeegee it off.
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44 Harley ServiCar   |
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MAD6Gun
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« Reply #8 on: February 01, 2011, 09:40:58 AM » |
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The biggest problem I have seen is the release handle. The handle gets stuck and wont allow the linkages to return to the at rest position. When this happens the latches will not stay closed. Lube the handle pivots with a good penatrating oil like PB Blaster. Work the linkages back and forth until they are free. Or you could replace the handle. Not saying that is your problem just that is what I see as a GM tech.........
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MNBill
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« Reply #9 on: February 01, 2011, 10:08:19 AM » |
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Try WD40, displaces the moisture and lubes.
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MNBill
SE Minnesota
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Jeff K
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« Reply #10 on: February 01, 2011, 11:33:46 AM » |
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The biggest problem I have seen is the release handle. The handle gets stuck and wont allow the linkages to return to the at rest position. When this happens the latches will not stay closed. Lube the handle pivots with a good penatrating oil like PB Blaster. Work the linkages back and forth until they are free. Or you could replace the handle. Not saying that is your problem just that is what I see as a GM tech.........
Any idea how to pull the handle out? It's a plastic tail gate. I haven't seen it yet but when I go up snowmobiling I'll have to take care of it for him. |
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MAD6Gun
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« Reply #11 on: February 01, 2011, 12:09:31 PM » |
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If you are refering to the bed that they call a sport side (used to be a step side). The bed sides are plastic but the tailgate is still steel. With that said the handle are the same. Unless its a Avalanche. Those are different. To get the handle out. pull downward on the bezel to release the clips from the tailgate. Sometimes the bezel will break. Some are also held on with molding tape on each end. Use a thin plastic tool to aid in removing if needed.
To remove the handle. Disconnect the two linkage rods from the handle. Then remove the three bolts from the handle. If the truck has a bedliner the cover will need to be removed from the tailgate to get to the bolts. If it has a spray on bedliner the material will need to be cut from the bolts. I hope this is helpful.......
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Varmintmist
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« Reply #12 on: February 01, 2011, 12:23:50 PM » |
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Its a Chevy, just take the two bags of groceries out over the side.
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However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.
Churchill
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JerryB
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Posts: 311
Takin' it easy!
Michigan
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« Reply #13 on: February 01, 2011, 01:20:57 PM » |
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Jeff,ya oughta get him a Dodge.I drove them Chevies for years and had to have a change.......JerryB.  |
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Retired and taking it easy!
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