I am visiting my 92-year-old Dad in Northeast Montana, and we just found out this afternoon that the tailgate on his 2000 Silverado 2500 would not open. Sooo, time to take a look at youtube for advice, and found this video. I removed the bottom bolt & used the screwdriver/rag trick to pop off the cover. It had two plastic hooks at the top, and 2 fingers at the bottom. 24-year-old plastic & 46 degree temps do not make for flexible plastic. Broke both the hooks at the top, but we could see the problem; the clip holding the driver's side release arm had broken. Off to our local NAPA store to get replacement parts. Handed the person at the counter the broken clip, and they fired up the computer to check part numbers. I followed them back to the pegboard with parts on it, and they handed me the entire latch handle assembly plus two clips. For $30! The latch assembly worked just fine, so all we needed were the clips. Back to the computer for another search, and the counter person found a box of generic clips that would work for door locks & such. Total cost? $11.28 for the "Tailgate Handle Bezel" & $6.58 for the "Door Linkage Clips". Given the age of the plastic I wanted to replace the other clip as well, but it was still surprisingly strong. But it did break when I tried to remove it from the latch. Time for the replacement clips. Driver's side black, and passenger side white. NOTE!!!! Stuff a rag or two in the opening, in case you have cold fingers & fumble the clip inside the tailgate; that will mean another trip to the parts store. Popped the plastic clip into the hole on the latch with no problem. The release arm went into the hole without any problem. But the clip did not want to flip up onto the release arm. I squeezed a little harder, and it broke. Lovely. I examined the remaining clip, and it was a slightly different shape than the original. Ahhh, these were not specific release arm clips, but "generic" clips, made to fit a bunch of different applications. The generic clips had an odd lip that would catch on the arm, making it difficult to pop it on. They needed to be spread apart to get them started. I could not see that on the black clip, because it blended in with the release arm. It was also more challenging to put everything together with the handle latch attached to the tailgate, so I removed the other two bolts, which gave me much more play in the release arms & the latch to get everything to fit together. I used a bowl of hot water to warm up the plastic, and I snapped the white clip on by using the screwdriver the spread the lips of the clip. I was lucky that there was another generic clip in the box, because I could use it as a replacement for the black one I broke. I soaked it in hot water, and it needed a little coaxing to get the clip over the release arm. Put the latch back in with all three bolts, and it worked like it was supposed to! Yay me! Then I soaked the "Tailgate Handle Bezel" in hot water, and snapped it back into place. Key Takeaways from my experience: * Take out the other two bolts holding the latch once you have new clips ready to install; it made it much easier for me. * Stuff in a rag or two to keep the clips from falling into the tailgate. * Warm up the clips and the bezel in hot water. Cold plastic in brittle plastic!
Thank you so much, my grandma lives quite far away from me, she was having trouble with her tailgate and i looked this video up. Sent her the link and she watched it and did it herself, and she wanted me to tell you thank you very much. She is 80 years old and did it herself and said it was easy, she had went to a dealership and they said it would cost over $1,000.00 to fix it but she only paid for the clip.
AdverseConditioning my father just passed away last week and he would always open the tailgate of our chevy (it was broken) to get hay in there, and no one else knew how to open it but thanks to you i was able to fix it. thank you.
This video is almost 8 years old and still helpful -- no idea how to attack this problem on a C3500, was going in from the back (disaster!). Saved a ton of time, misery and money. THANKS.
I just completed this repair and it went well thanks to UA-cam! I tried an O'Reilly replacement part and it broke upon installation - very brittle. Then I got genuine GM parts and took a little more caution. I removed the three bolts on the inside of the tailgate to allow better access to the parts and to prevent breakage of the plastic latch housing. I put the replacement clips in hot tap water to "soften" in the cold weather. I used steel wool to clean rust off the metal connecting rod and latch. I applied grease to the rod, latch and clip. I took the advice below and put the plastic clip through the latch first and then gently pressed the rod into place. Put the 3 bolts back in - perfect! I replaced both the red and green clips as long as I was doing the repair. Thanks for all the great advice!
Thanks for making this video. It is very helpful for anyone replacing their tailgate latch rod clips. I have a 2001 GMC Sierra 2500HD and my tailgate latch has been broken for years. I purchased the repair kit you referenced at AutoZone for $3.99. I also purchased a new bezel just in case the old one broke. In order to make room to replace the rod clips I had to remove the bezel because there wasn't enough to work and the bezel clips did break. Since I already had everything apart I replaced both rod clips to avoid having to do it again. You must purchase a new bezel and replace the old one or you won't have enough room to work. When installing the new bezel make sure to install it first before replacing all the latch bolts or you will have to take it apart and redo it again like I did.
Excellent, I grinded off the rusty bottom of my tail gate, just need to fix the latch and mod out the bottom with fiberglass or some kind of water resistant panels.. I almost wanna bumper delete but got a new generic bumper and repainted it properly. Thanks for this vid.
Took me almost a whole week to do this after watching the video. Six days waiting on the part, 60 seconds to put it on. My advice is go ahead and order the plastic cover, unless you get it off easily. Mines a 2002 and it cracked coming off anyway. Thanks AdverseConditioning!
Thank you...Thank you...Thank you for the video. You have helped me repair my 2000 Chevy Silverado Latch. I had the same exact issue with it. Once again, Thanks.
These clips are available at Autozone or O'Reilly for less than 5 bucks. Make sure to insert the plastic clip first and then the connecting rod. While you're at it replace both clips so you won't have to worry about it for a few more years. They should come with a left and right side.
OK...and this is why I LOVE UA-cam! Excellent video dude. You saved me from scratching the dogs**t out of my tailgate and an expensive trip to the stealership where they'd surely have wanted my first born in payment for this easy fix. However, I'm thinking of leaving it as is and just using this set up as a "makeshift" lock. Unless you know what's goin' on, a thief won't be able to open the tailgate unless he knows what to look for. Thanks again brother!
Thx for the video. FYI this will also happen to the rear door release on the extended cab models. Bascally the same repair and you can also get those clips at o'reilly.
I think this is what just happened to my tailgate, so thanks for the video. I work at an O'Reilly's btw so I can get the repair parts at a discount...one of the benefits...
+S Greg Good idea man, I used a medium size paper clip to hold them together. If it hold for a week or so, i might not even order the plastic clip. Great idea!
Who design this latching mechanism? Seems very easy to break into a locked tailgate (for those that have a locking tailgate) by just disconnecting the rods and manually pulling them together from the outside. And I can't seem to find any product out there that can prevent this. Dumb design! Now I have to try to come up with my own jury-rigged solution. Disappointed to say the least.
......... paperclip wrapped around the rod and connecting post was less than a dollar, and not brittle plastic. * sips drink * If only they made those rods with a U bend instead of a stubby L bend, no plastic clip would be needed.
I am visiting my 92-year-old Dad in Northeast Montana, and we just found out this afternoon that the tailgate on his 2000 Silverado 2500 would not open.
Sooo, time to take a look at youtube for advice, and found this video.
I removed the bottom bolt & used the screwdriver/rag trick to pop off the cover. It had two plastic hooks at the top, and 2 fingers at the bottom. 24-year-old plastic & 46 degree temps do not make for flexible plastic. Broke both the hooks at the top, but we could see the problem; the clip holding the driver's side release arm had broken.
Off to our local NAPA store to get replacement parts. Handed the person at the counter the broken clip, and they fired up the computer to check part numbers. I followed them back to the pegboard with parts on it, and they handed me the entire latch handle assembly plus two clips. For $30! The latch assembly worked just fine, so all we needed were the clips.
Back to the computer for another search, and the counter person found a box of generic clips that would work for door locks & such.
Total cost? $11.28 for the "Tailgate Handle Bezel" & $6.58 for the "Door Linkage Clips".
Given the age of the plastic I wanted to replace the other clip as well, but it was still surprisingly strong. But it did break when I tried to remove it from the latch.
Time for the replacement clips. Driver's side black, and passenger side white.
NOTE!!!! Stuff a rag or two in the opening, in case you have cold fingers & fumble the clip inside the tailgate; that will mean another trip to the parts store.
Popped the plastic clip into the hole on the latch with no problem. The release arm went into the hole without any problem. But the clip did not want to flip up onto the release arm. I squeezed a little harder, and it broke. Lovely.
I examined the remaining clip, and it was a slightly different shape than the original. Ahhh, these were not specific release arm clips, but "generic" clips, made to fit a bunch of different applications. The generic clips had an odd lip that would catch on the arm, making it difficult to pop it on. They needed to be spread apart to get them started. I could not see that on the black clip, because it blended in with the release arm.
It was also more challenging to put everything together with the handle latch attached to the tailgate, so I removed the other two bolts, which gave me much more play in the release arms & the latch to get everything to fit together. I used a bowl of hot water to warm up the plastic, and I snapped the white clip on by using the screwdriver the spread the lips of the clip.
I was lucky that there was another generic clip in the box, because I could use it as a replacement for the black one I broke. I soaked it in hot water, and it needed a little coaxing to get the clip over the release arm. Put the latch back in with all three bolts, and it worked like it was supposed to! Yay me!
Then I soaked the "Tailgate Handle Bezel" in hot water, and snapped it back into place.
Key Takeaways from my experience:
* Take out the other two bolts holding the latch once you have new clips ready to install; it made it much easier for me.
* Stuff in a rag or two to keep the clips from falling into the tailgate.
* Warm up the clips and the bezel in hot water. Cold plastic in brittle plastic!
Thank you so much, my grandma lives quite far away from me, she was having trouble with her tailgate and i looked this video up. Sent her the link and she watched it and did it herself, and she wanted me to tell you thank you very much. She is 80 years old and did it herself and said it was easy, she had went to a dealership and they said it would cost over $1,000.00 to fix it but she only paid for the clip.
What a bunch of scamming cooks. It’s such an easy fix, anyone will try to get a buck out of it. Pep boys was gonna charge me $70 but I’ll do it myself
AdverseConditioning my father just passed away last week and he would always open the tailgate of our chevy (it was broken) to get hay in there, and no one else knew how to open it but thanks to you i was able to fix it. thank you.
This video is almost 8 years old and still helpful -- no idea how to attack this problem on a C3500, was going in from the back (disaster!). Saved a ton of time, misery and money. THANKS.
I just completed this repair and it went well thanks to UA-cam! I tried an O'Reilly replacement part and it broke upon installation - very brittle. Then I got genuine GM parts and took a little more caution. I removed the three bolts on the inside of the tailgate to allow better access to the parts and to prevent breakage of the plastic latch housing. I put the replacement clips in hot tap water to "soften" in the cold weather. I used steel wool to clean rust off the metal connecting rod and latch. I applied grease to the rod, latch and clip. I took the advice below and put the plastic clip through the latch first and then gently pressed the rod into place. Put the 3 bolts back in - perfect! I replaced both the red and green clips as long as I was doing the repair. Thanks for all the great advice!
Excellent work
Thanks for making this video. It is very helpful for anyone replacing their tailgate latch rod clips. I have a 2001 GMC Sierra 2500HD and my tailgate latch has been broken for years. I purchased the repair kit you referenced at AutoZone for $3.99. I also purchased a new bezel just in case the old one broke. In order to make room to replace the rod clips I had to remove the bezel because there wasn't enough to work and the bezel clips did break. Since I already had everything apart I replaced both rod clips to avoid having to do it again. You must purchase a new bezel and replace the old one or you won't have enough room to work. When installing the new bezel make sure to install it first before replacing all the latch bolts or you will have to take it apart and redo it again like I did.
You have no idea how much of a help this has been thanks
My tailgate latch has been broken for over a year. Thanks to you sir, I will now be able to repair it. Thank you!!!!
Almost 5 years later and you helped me out a lot today. Thanks.
finally a person with the sense to do a close up video. thank you for this.
Excellent, I grinded off the rusty bottom of my tail gate, just need to fix the latch and mod out the bottom with fiberglass or some kind of water resistant panels.. I almost wanna bumper delete but got a new generic bumper and repainted it properly. Thanks for this vid.
Took me almost a whole week to do this after watching the video. Six days waiting on the part, 60 seconds to put it on. My advice is go ahead and order the plastic cover, unless you get it off easily. Mines a 2002 and it cracked coming off anyway. Thanks AdverseConditioning!
Thank you...Thank you...Thank you for the video. You have helped me repair my 2000 Chevy Silverado Latch. I had the same exact issue with it. Once again, Thanks.
These clips are available at Autozone or O'Reilly for less than 5 bucks. Make sure to insert the plastic clip first and then the connecting rod. While you're at it replace both clips so you won't have to worry about it for a few more years. They should come with a left and right side.
Word to the mutha! Going to do that tomorrow.
OK...and this is why I LOVE UA-cam! Excellent video dude. You saved me from scratching the dogs**t out of my tailgate and an expensive trip to the stealership where they'd surely have wanted my first born in payment for this easy fix. However, I'm thinking of leaving it as is and just using this set up as a "makeshift" lock. Unless you know what's goin' on, a thief won't be able to open the tailgate unless he knows what to look for. Thanks again brother!
Thx for the video. FYI this will also happen to the rear door release on the extended cab models. Bascally the same repair and you can also get those clips at o'reilly.
Great fix it worked way better than my hammer and duct tape fix
Thanks. Your video was a big help. My wife got the parts I need at Carquest for about 5 bucks. No shipping.
Hip hip hooray! Now my tailgate works again. Appreciate you so much! Many thanks xxx
Thank you so much! I'm moving next week and my tailgate was broken this really helps
Thanks man gonna do mine tomorrow. Easy now after watching.
My 95 Silverado tailgate needs work,do I change out the cables too?
Wow I just came across your video and glad I did. Thank you
I think this is what just happened to my tailgate, so thanks for the video. I work at an O'Reilly's btw so I can get the repair parts at a discount...one of the benefits...
Stupid question, can I get that piece at auto zone?
Wow! Your video ROCKS! Thanks a million for posting this!
Thx for the video =) Old gmc sierra 92 here. In oklahoma.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Solved what seemed to be a huge problem!
Thank you. Times are tough and I need to save all the cash I can get. Again, thank you.
Just fixed my tailgate thanks to this video thanks a lot really helpful!
NAPA has a pack of 2 for $2.00. Found metal ones for $1.00 each on EBAY
i was wondering why you didnt replace both with new clips?
Awesome video, gonna try this on my truck thanks.
Thank you!!! This was very helpful.
Thanks best video. Used a office small binder clip
Dude appreciate your video upload.
Will do.Coming in handy!!
MY keeper just quit keeping for me
: )
What about a locking latches?
Did this today on 2500HD. Took 4 minutes. Literally
thanks so much for doing this!
Appreciate you making this video just happened
Thanks for the good close up! Good video..
thank you just fixed mine tailgate!
Mine did the same thing except it came off the other end not the latch end, so I guess I'll be doing some fishing with the rod
Thank you!!! I will attempt this on my own!!
Awesome video! This is exactly what I needed and is very clear and understandable! Thank you! I'm going to go buy the clips right now, LOL
Thank you so much!!!!
Worked like a charm!
just happen to me yesterday, great vid!
Thanks for the video...it came in handy!
Thanks for the helpful information!
Very helpful! Thanks for posting this video!
Thank you so much!!!!! It worked perfectly!!!!
Thanks for the video! Good Job.
👌🏻. Appreciate it. Saved me some money.
Thanks .. I needed that
This video shows how to replace the latch rod retainers on the tailgate handle not how to replace the latches which hold the tailgate closed.
That helps a lot. But, I have a bent bar. How do I fix that. No pun intended..
THANK YOU! GIRL POWER........ON TAP; LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS... WILL DO! excellent INFO!!!
Thanks for the help
HUUUUUUGE help....thank you sir!!!!
would've liked to see the latch work before you put the bezel back on. Next time.
Thanks for sharing!!
thank you helped me also
i,ve fixed mine 2 or 3 times and it never lasts long ...next time i,m gonna dab a little jb weld on the clip
I fixed mine by using bailing wire...lol
No more plastic clips to break. :o)
+S Greg Good idea man, I used a medium size paper clip to hold them together. If it hold for a week or so, i might not even order the plastic clip. Great idea!
Tai Tang Thanks.😆 Mine is still holding strong.
YeSir.u.The.Man...Big. thumbs up...
Weld the rod to lever.
Wish I had a nickel for every Silverado I’ve seen with a broken tailgate latch.
Who design this latching mechanism? Seems very easy to break into a locked tailgate (for those that have a locking tailgate) by just disconnecting the rods and manually pulling them together from the outside. And I can't seem to find any product out there that can prevent this. Dumb design! Now I have to try to come up with my own jury-rigged solution. Disappointed to say the least.
......... paperclip wrapped around the rod and connecting post was less than a dollar, and not brittle plastic. * sips drink *
If only they made those rods with a U bend instead of a stubby L bend, no plastic clip would be needed.
fuck ya man thanks, great video very helpful
Lopoks like I can fix will try in am when the sun comes up
Misleading video. That is a handle repair not the LATCHES that are on the end of the gate 🤦♂️
Nope, mine is way more broken than yours is🫤
awesome and simple video thank you!!