2003 Ford Ranger Repairing a broken tailgate handle

DCSVEN

MEMBER
2003 FORD RANGER

2003 Ford Ranger 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

How do you remove the tailgate handle assembly to replace the broken handle?

Saturday, March 7th, 2009 AT 10:40 PM

3 Replies

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
3,094 POSTS

There should be four screws on the tailgate access panel. Rmeove them then remove the tailgate latch retaining screws they are by the latchs on each side then disengage the handle-to latch-rods. There are two retaining screws. The handle assembly should be able to be taken out. Sometimes you will have to menevior it around to get it out.

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Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 AT 10:30 AM

DCSVEN

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks, I finally figured it out. It was a little deceiving because I have a sprayed in bed liner and the screws were not visible at all. Turns out there were 8 pf them and the panel goes all the way across the tailgate. I had to cut away the bed liner to get the panel off and from there the fix was pretty easy. Next its off to fix the Door Ajar light. Looking here and in other forums it seems that is a pretty common problem and the most popular answer I have found so far is spray it with WD-40 so I'm going to give that a try.

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Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 AT 7:29 PM

D.O.C63

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Not sure what your problem with the tailgate is but if its the same issue I have with it not wnating to latch closed you do not need to replace the assembly. Spray it down with some wd-40 to make the hardware move easier and pull the latch (the actual piece on either side of the tailgate) out. It will make a little clicking noise and should line up correctly. This problem is from slamming your tailgate closed.

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Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 AT 8:39 PM