Need alittle more info. Is the handle lifting with little to no resistance, but the tailgate wont release, or can you feel the latch release but it is just jamed and won't open?
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For every car every made in the whole wide world since the beginning of time in every country and every maker who ever made a vehicle?? Leonard REALLY?? :>)
Hello. That tailgate latch has to be removed to gain access to those actuating rods behind it. Then, you simply pull one and push the other to open the tailgate. Keep me informed; if you want to.
Not sure about the 2007 but in an earlier one I owned there was a key-slot opening above the rear bumper (and below the tailgate) that you put the jack handle into and cranked it down using the chain lift mechanism that was built into it.
On back of the gate, you can remove screws that are along the edge of the trim and then gently pull back on the trim as there will also be retaining clips attached and you don't want
to break them. Once the trim is off, you can access the screws securing the tailgate handle to the tailgate
Remove the inner pannel. Then move the handle the connecting rod from the handle to the lock will move.Then pull or push the connecting rod helping the handle. When you get it open move the handle again if it moves freely then most likely the catch needs adjusting to adjust loosen the screws aroung the catch on the rear pannel move the catch out a little try closing the tailgate if it takes undue force to close then repeat moving the catch out until it is easy to shut simple rule is if it is hard to close then it will be hard to open! Leave the inner pannel off until you can easily open the tailgate with the handle as you may have to give the handle a helping hand to open until you have finished adjusting.
To get the tailgate open, you will need to get into the back of your truck and remove the inside panel of the tail gate to access the latchs. Once you get in there, you can check operation and make the repairs you need to get your tail gate working again.
First thing: Try using the key to move to the locked and then to the unlocked position. If this works, open the tailgate... This also pretty much tells you what the root cause problem is, which is a pressed-in plastic post working its way out (see below).
If no bedliner, just remove metal plate inside tailgate and actuate by hand inside to open. If bedliner, first use a small screwdriver to carefully (don't scratch paint) push in latches at either side of tailgate to open/lower tailgate (if locking/unlocking as above did not work to lower gate and gain access). Next, use two blade screwdrivers to pry out the "buttons" that hold the ends of the tailgate liner where they wrap around the sides, then remove bedliner piece and metal plate, etc.
Once you have access to inside of tailgate, you will see how the mechanism works by pulling up and down on the handle while observing. You will probably find that the slide mechism that locks and unlocks the mechanism has been allowed to move such that it cannot unlock/allow movement of the latching mechanism. This is usually the result of the pressed in plastic anchor being worn/loose. I had some success with cleaning thoroughly with alcohol or brake cleaner, allowing to dry and then using super glue to hold it firmly in all the way. Still have to hold handle up when closing gate and keep key on hand to unlock every time opening, but it was a free repair...
OPEN THE TAILGATE, AND ON THE SIDE WHERE THE LIGHT IS BACK RIGHT BEHIND THE TAILLIGHT, THERE IS TWO SCREWS.. JUST TAKE THE SCREWS OUT THE TAILLIGHT WILL JUST SLIDE RIGHT OUT..( IF YOU HAVE A BED LINER YOU WILL NEED TO PULL THE BED LINER OUT JUST A LITTLE BIT TO GET TO THE SCREWS..GOOD LUCK KEITH..
tailgate will not open. hand does nothing.
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