Tailgate stuck

BRIK

MEMBER
CHEVROLET IMPALA

Hello - The tailgate on my 2000 Silverado Z-71 flareside is stuck shut. I
have a spray in bedliner and cannot see if there are any screws on inside.
Outside is a trim piece around handle. That came off once and was repaired with double sticky tape.. I do not remember any screw heads or anything behind there that will help me get to the troublesome parts. On top edge I have a rail protector. When I try to open the tailgate it does seem like something is releasing but the tailgate doesn't move. If I then push on it hard it does seem to re-engage and click into place. There is only about 1/16" movement.

So, how do I proceed? Do I try and find some screws on the inside, under my spray in liner? Do I pry off the trim on the outside? Remove the rail
protector? Jaws of life? Suggestions please. Alldatadiy doesn't have any
schematics to show me where to even begin to look for the problem.

TIA

3 Replies

THE AMAZING RAYMONDO

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I had the same problem with my 90 scottsdale. I ended up having to bend the latch tabs about 1/16th of an inch outward. If your very carefull you can get a small flathead in the crease of the tailgate and move the lock toung in to release the gate. But BE CAREFUL otherwise you could chip the paint. Its kinda like getting into your house when the door is locked.

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Sunday, January 8th, 2006 AT 4:21 PM

MICKMOYNIHAN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I had the same problem on my S-10. Where the handle is, look very carefully to see if the rods are connected. One rod will go in one hole and the other rod will go into a hole on the other side, near the back. When you pull, the plate turns and pulls on the two rods. If one comes undone or disconnected, it will only work on one side. If one rod is disconneced, you can pull on the handle and also on the rod to open the tailgate. Use a bright light.
Mick

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Tuesday, January 10th, 2006 AT 12:59 PM

BRIK

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Well - I ended up needing to pull off the trim around the handle. It was attached with double sticky foam tape from a previous repair. Not sure how its normally attached. Seems one rod came off, the other was still OK (Thats why it sort of seemed to unlatch and re-latch, only one side was operating). The rod is attached to the handle mechanisim with a push nut. Cost me $.07 at Sears hardware and I was good to go. I still need to ra-attach the trim plate but its been raining and cold.

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Wednesday, January 11th, 2006 AT 5:32 PM