Tailgate Adjustment

[driel]

I have had my 23 Platinum to the dealer three times about adjusting the tailgate. Originally it closed so hard that it made a loud noise on the driver's side when opening because there was so much pressure on the latch. The dealer tried to blame it on the dealer installed spray in bed liner. You can get a putty knife in between the tailgate and the bed all the way around when closed so that is not the issue. The latch finally stopped working so they replaced it and adjusted the striker on both sides so that it doesn't make that loud noise when opening but now the tailgate doesn't close all the way. It's between 1/4 and 1/2 inch out from the body of the truck. Suggestions?

Sponsored

 

[Grumpy2]

If you push on the tailgate now, does it have slack? That is, when it is latched is the tailgate loose?

 

[driel]

No. Still tight. Since it has the tailgate assist I can’t actually push on it.

 

[Grumpy2]

I agree 1/2" is excessive. Try putting lipstick on the rubber bumpers (black oddly shaped at the top of the frame on each side) and check on transfer to the tailgate when auto-closed. Keep applying and cleaning surfaces as you open and close the gate. If no transfer, make the service manager aware of your study and the result.

Your dealer apparently needs help doing a good job investigating the issue.

 

[driel]

Thanks. I will try that. I don't think it even hits the two rubber bumpers. It barely touched them before they moved the strikers out. Sitting in the bed of the truck with the tailgate closed, I could see no place that was keeping it from closing more. With the lift assisted tailgate, once it engages the latch, it pulls it in even harder. That's what created the problem with it being so tight. If I could disengage the assisted part of the tailgate, I could manually close it and see where it is meeting resistance.

 

[Grumpy2]

Perhaps someone with experience with a power tailgate will chime in?

 

[Al_V]

Thanks. I will try that. I don't think it even hits the two rubber bumpers. It barely touched them before they moved the strikers out. Sitting in the bed of the truck with the tailgate closed, I could see no place that was keeping it from closing more. With the lift assisted tailgate, once it engages the latch, it pulls it in even harder. That's what created the problem with it being so tight. If I could disengage the assisted part of the tailgate, I could manually close it and see where it is meeting resistance.

On my 2023 Lariat, I can set the tailgate to Manual in the "Vehicle" menu on the touchscreen.
In "Manual" it still opens automatically, at least from the button at the tailgate, but you must close it manually.

 

[Albern]

No. Still tight. Since it has the tailgate assist I can’t actually push on it.

On the screen, you should be able to turn off the automatic tailgate so that you can manually actuate it and do your troubleshooting.

 

[driel]

Thanks. I’ll definitely try that.

Sponsored