Tailgate latch sticking open

[Hawk296]

The plastic ends of the rods are fragile but pretty easy to remove. they form a collar around the horizontal part of the rod, carefully unclip this part from the rod and they can be rotated while still in position allowing the rod to be disconnected. Basically you unsnap the plastic collar from the rod and swivel the plastic ends in position still to allow the rod to slide out of the bellcrank.

After this is done, the bellcrank can be removed from the inside after removing the nuts.

To get the handle out, you need to remove the plastic piece above the lic. plate. Remove the hardware on the inside of the tailgate, and remove the plastic cover from the outside, this will expose the handle.

Remove the plastic clip and the handle will come off.

It is pretty evident how it comes apart once the piece start coming off.

[thenewrick]

This guide helped me, thanks!

I had a hell of a time getting the pin out. I used a hammer, punch pin and a screwdriver.

I couldn't figure out how to reinstall the tensioning spring so the handle is jiggly but it works fine.

[redbaja13]

Used this trick today to fix my latch. I was able to just remove the two 10mm nuts and slip the latch out without removing anything else once inside the tailgate that is. Cleaned it up and slipped back in just as easily.