[TXExpat]

So this 1997 C1500 that I just picked up has a tailgate problem. The left side catch won't open when you pull on the handle. I was thinking it was probably something I could do an adjustment on and be done but now that I've started messing with it I think it may be a somewhat more difficult. When I bought the truck the left side tailgate cable was broken. I put a new cable on that side but now that I've started messing with the latches I'm thinking that maybe the entire tailgate is slightly torqued from probably years of use with only one cable. The left side does not close flush when the right side does and it requires an extra push to get the left latch to catch. I'm sure this is the culprit behind the fact that the catch won't open properly as well.

Any thoughts on how I can fix this or am I stuck with a tailgate that just isn't going to open and close smoothly like it should?

 

[adampaul1964]

You sure it's the tailgate or maybe the bed has a little twist in it?

 

[TXExpat]

You sure it's the tailgate or maybe the bed has a little twist in it?

I'm not sure that the tailgate is the issue. I assumed that since the cable on that side appeared to be broken for quite some time, the tailgate itself would have been the likely culprit as opposed to the bed. I'll see if I can verify that the tailgate is slightly bent out.