on my 03 1500, i try to open the tailgate, and it wont come down. but when i push on it (to close it normally) it latches again. i need to fix that to get to the rear lights. i need to change a bulb.

any suggestions?

thanks
Cory Burnett

 

so you cant get it unlatched?? or you can get it unlatched it just dont move..are both sides unlatching??? i'd say one of the little plactic pieces of the rods that make come unlatched broke...

 

I can get one side unlatched. I looked at it, the side that doesn't unlatch the rod has broken off.

 

Try unbolting the bolts on the rear of the tailgate. You then can pull out the latch mechanism. From there, you should be able to manually open each latching mechanism.

Hope this helps

Eric

 

if it pulled off at the handle in the tailgate, you should be able to pull the plastinc around the handle out and manually pull the rod to open the tailgate....

 

x2 with kawi and stylez. my friend slammed the tailgate on my 04 1500 and broke one of the plastic pieces that hold the rod to the handle so only one side was unlatching. you can take off the bezel trim piece and see the latch assembly. good luck

 

thats probably the most common problem with any silverado ever, they need to redesign the lock mechanism

 

I just got this suburban and i can't get the tailgate to move.how can I get to drop ? It's in pretty ruff shape

 

They need to go back to using metal clips instead of plastic just like they used to in the old days.