Tailgate Latch

[icjerk]

Hello! I need some advice as far as what parts need to be replaced on my tailgate, on a '96 Bronco. When I pull the handle to open the tailgate, it hangs up on the left side. I have the panels off on the inside of the tailgate. I can reach in there and pull the left cable, and it will release and open. Can someone please advise me on what needs to be replaced or adjusted?

Thanks, Lisa

 

[miesk5]

yo Welcome!

ok, here is da skinny...

by Steve; "...Another common fault that produces this result is bending of the center mechanisms from trying to open the t/g when the glass ISN'T all the way down. I used to have some REALLY good pics of it, but I guess SFO lost them. This one shows, but you have to REALLY look: the rod that comes from the far right comes from the t/g handle. The bellcrank that it passes through (in one of the white plastic clips) is bent downward, making the handle stick up from the t/g. That's what I usually find in tailgates that are hard to open. The fix is to just bend that bellcrank straight again and NEVER try to pull the handle unless the glass is FULLY down.

The '78-82 latches are different from '83-96.

If the latch doesn't lock, try to get it to latch with the t/g down and use a screwdriver (or something slightly smaller than the strike post) to close the jaws. You probably just need to rinse it out with Liquid Wrench (not WD-40; too much wax) or some other penetrating oil. If it still won't latch, put the glass up & pull the access panel. Inspect the operating rod that runs from the center mechanism to that latch to make sure it's not bent, keeping the latch released. If the rod is SLIGHTLY slack and the latch is clean & lubed, but won't catch, replace the latch.

If it latches with the t/g open but not EVERY time that you close it, trace a circle around the big washer (for reference) and then shift the strike post rearward ~1/32" at a time until it latches or you've gone 1/4". If it still won't latch, then you need to move the post up or down to align it.

http://www.superford.org/getfile.php?id=71412&toggle=fullsize&f=Mechanism Inside.JPG

'83-96 looks just like an '80-86 door strike bolt."

--

and here is my site's TG SECTION for ya to go thru;

http://www.broncolinks.com/index.php?index=478

 

[icjerk]

Thanks! I'll check and see if anything is bent. I've only had this Bronco for a few months. It didn't open well when I first bought it. It seems to latch and stay latched, just will never unlatch on the left side.

 

[miesk5]

ok, and clean the latches on both sides when you get it fixed' I use white Lithium;

Also;

Handle, Inside Does Not Return to Fully Flat; "...The rod running to the Left (down) is the interlock rod that detects the glass being fully down. It is supported by a clip similar to the ones used for the hood cable. The one to the R (up) is the one from the handle. You can see that the mechanism it's attached to is bent. This comes from attempting to open the tailgate before the glass is FULLY down and it causes the inside handle not to return fully flat..." Source: by Steve83

Lubrication Discussion; "...90% of you all probably already know this so I guess I'm talking to the other 10% of us who don't/didn't. My rear window has been giving me problems for the last 4 months. It would go down a few inches and it would get stuck. Then I would either have to rock the dash switch back and forth to get it to go down or go to the back and use the key with one hand and push down the window with the other---Very frustrating. FIX: 1) First roll down the window, drop the gate and take off the inside panel (about 8 philips head screws) covering the tailgate. You will see pretty much nothing but glass after doing this. 2) Then manually flip the latches so you can use the key to roll the window back up. ***Very Important*** Put something under the window to support it--sawhorse, lawnmower or whatever. The weight of the glass could cause it to break when rolled up with the tailgate down. 3) After the glass is up you'll have access to the inside mechanisms. If you bend over and look at the underside you'll see a couple of arms that attach to two 6"-8" pieces of channel. These arms move along the channel to raise and lower the glass. 4) Get some (Miesk5 Note; use white Lithium grease) and smear inside both channels. You don't have to glob it in there just put enough that it goes completely on and along the inside of the channels. 5) Roll the glass back down. 6) Put your inside panel back on. 7) Pull your tailgate release handle one time to make your latches go back to the open position and close your tailgate. 8) Now roll up your window and see if it helped any. Mine goes up just as smooth as ever now. It doesn't slow down a bit. Now this may not work for everyone but it sure worked on my rig. Brian..BTW, this took about 45 minutes start to finish....Dry graphite (or furniture wax such as Pledge) on the weather stripping will help also.

DO NOT use a petroleum based **** on it, it will melt the rubber and basicly glue the window in place. "

Source: by msuforeman