Tailgate Repair 2002 Silverado

I post auto repair articles not because I'm good at mechanics, but because I'm so bad. If anything can possible go wrong it will. So you can rest assured that if you follow my posts you see every possible pitfall, problem and quirk. Most repair instructions say something along the lines of "Remove part A, Replace Part A" But if you want to know any possible malfunction or problem that might hinder your repair attempt, no matter how unlikely, read my posts...

Tailgate Repair 2002 Silverado

Tools:
13mm socket or wrench
Flat-tip Screwdriver or proper prying tool
Needlenose pliers (optional)



The tailgate latch broke on my Chevrolet Silverado pickup several years ago. The clip for the right side latch broke. I dealt with it by reaching in and pulling the rod to disengage the latch. But when the left side also broke, it became quite difficult to manipulate both at the same time. It was time for a fix.

I went to the Chevrolet parts department and found out they no longer list the necessary parts (Already?) The parts person was very helpful though and looked up the number for a later model, which he said was the same. The little plastic clips I needed were about $5 each.

Step 1

Remove the bezel around the latch. It it held in by plastic catches and just "pops" off. If you're worried about scratching the paint, (I wasn't) wrap some tape around the screwdriver or putty knife or what ever you use to pry with. Yeah, I broke the catches on mine. That part is around $50.

Step 2

Removed the 3 bolts on the inside of the bed holding the latch mechanism
(In all likelihood yours won't have dried cement from setting fence posts)

Step 3

This is what you have after the latch is removed. (That's genuine Texas dust, it is everywhere)

Step 4
This is how the clips look on the rods. Red on left and green on the right. This is NOT how they the assembly proceeds, I took this pic to clearly illustrate how the clips go on the rods.

Step 5

If you skipped the text and put the clips on the rods like in the picture; take them back off. Push the clips into the corresponding holes on the latch (Red on left, Green on right) and set the latch into the opening.


Step 6

With the latch in the opening in the tailgate, the clips in their respective holes, and the clips hanging down as illustrated, push the rod into the clip. (In the picture it looks like the red clip is just hanging in space, but it's not. It's actually in the corresponding hole in the tailgate latch.)

 

Step 7

Once the rods are in the clips, rotate the clips upwards and snap them into place on the rods.

Step 8

Replace the 3 attaching bolts


Step 9
Reinstall the expensive bezel. It simply snaps on. Worrying that its going to fall off and you'll lose your $50 bezel is optional.

 It looks the same, but now it actually works.


Here is a picture of my recovered broken parts, In keeping with my disclaimer above, the piece of black plastic on the left is part of the actuating mechanism of the latch. So I had to go back and buy the entire latch assembly. It was actually reasonable though, $29 plus tax. I assume the right-side green clip remnants are inside the tailgate somewhere.

The new latch came with a set of clips, so now I have an extra set. If you want them email me or comment below. I could keep them in case one of them breaks again, but I would by then have no idea where they are, so I plan to give them away to the first taker...