Tailgate Handle Is Broken Again!!! - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

rahis · #1 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 07:50 AM

I had a problem with my tailgate handle.It ckicked but would not open the gate.Took it to the dealer they said its an easy fix ,flaw in design.I belived.They ordered 'NEW AND IMPROVED" parts and installed them under warranty.Well this weekend same thing happened again.Going to the dealer to get it fixed for free again.
I guess they just waiting for my warranty to expire!HATE IT>

gobblerman · #2 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 07:58 AM

Didn't you get the memo. We're not supposed to use our tailgates, they are only meant to contain items in the bed. How dare you open your tailgate, that's undue stress and should be avoided. Seriously though, why don't they just scrap these gates already and produce something durable. Ok zeolots lets hear you chime in and tell us to stop whinning and how your sick of these posts.

trinibob · #3 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rahis

I had a problem with my tailgate handle.It ckicked but would not open the gate.Took it to the dealer they said its an easy fix ,flaw in design.I belived.They ordered 'NEW AND IMPROVED" parts and installed them under warranty.Well this weekend same thing happened again.Going to the dealer to get it fixed for free again.
I guess they just waiting for my warranty to expire!HATE IT>

how about snaping a pick of the inside of your gate latch and point out to us the part that keeps breaking i would love to see this suspect part so that i can inspect my gate latch for bad parts!

slimjim2525 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gobblerman

Didn't you get the memo. We're not supposed to use our tailgates, they are only meant to contain items in the bed. How dare you open your tailgate, that's undue stress and should be avoided. Seriously though, why don't they just scrap these gates already and produce something durable. Ok zeolots lets hear you chime in and tell us to stop whinning and how your sick of these posts.

That's some funny s#@t right there. To bad it's true.

cwit · #5 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 09:19 AM

I'v had both outer clips break. Did the mod where you drill lower part of rod & put in cotter pin,no problem sense. Took all of twenty minutes.

trinibob · #6 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 09:25 AM

clips WHAT clips ??????

dsmonline · #7 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trinibob

clips WHAT clips ??????

If you open up the inspection plate on the tail gate and look at the mechanism used to open the latches, you will see a number of cheap plastic clips holding down rods. There are any number of ways to modify the tie-downs so that they will not come off or break just when you need to get into you bed the worst. I have a BakFlip cover on my truck and it is kept locked. If I could not unlock and open my tail gate, I would have to rip open the cover somehow, so it was important to insure I 'fixed' my rods and clips before I had a problem.

I have attached a copy of the TSB on this issue, I do not believe the dealer fix is sufficient to insure it will not have additional problems down the road.

truckman261 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 12:02 PM

This happened to me also. No big deal really. Usually you break only one side the first time and then you probably broke the other side this time. I'd only be worried if the same side broke twice.

rahis · #9 (**permalink**) 11-17-2007, 08:28 AM

Thanks for the info everyone.I really like my truck and I work construction for a living.Not just working by the hour but actually using my 8' bed to it`s full extent.I just so frustraiting when you nee to unload compressors and mite boxes OVER THE TAILGATE WHEN YOU ARE 150 MILES AWAY FORM HOME AND NO DEALER IN SIGHT FOR A WEEK AND NO TIME TO GO BACK.I dont mind getting it fixed it is just so frustraiting
They fixed it again and I was told they did not use Toyota parts and dealel did couple of mods himself to te opening mechanism.

Gary419 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-17-2007, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsmonline

If you open up the inspection plate on the tail gate and look at the mechanism used to open the latches, you will see a number of cheap plastic clips holding down rods. There are any number of ways to modify the tie-downs so that they will not come off or break just when you need to get into you bed the worst. I have a BakFlip cover on my truck and it is kept locked. If I could not unlock and open my tail gate, I would have to rip open the cover somehow, so it was important to insure I 'fixed' my rods and clips before I had a problem.

I have attached a copy of the TSB on this issue, I do not believe the dealer fix is sufficient to insure it will not have additional problems down the road.

Thanks for supplying the TSB, I was hoping to have access on this forum for the TSB, have they reinstated them or did you have another source?
Gary419

dsmonline · #11 (**permalink**) 11-17-2007, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary419

Thanks for supplying the TSB, I was hoping to have access on this forum for the TSB, have they reinstated them or did you have another source?
Gary419

I bought a one day login at TIS for $10 and downloaded what I could and what I thought would be useful. The TIS site is not setup to grab large chunks of documents, it is painful to do them one at a time and rename the files so you know what you have.

ponyuk · #12 (**permalink**) 11-17-2007, 12:20 PM

If it happens again, you can still drop the tailgate by removed the 8 torx screws that hold the cover plate on to the tailgate and manually open it by pulling the two levers. I replaced my tailgate handle with one with the backup camera, the plastic clips do not look at all substantial. After reading the stories here I should look at modifying them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rahis

I just so frustraiting when you nee to unload compressors and mite boxes OVER THE TAILGATE WHEN YOU ARE 150 MILES AWAY FORM HOME AND NO DEALER IN SIGHT FOR A WEEK AND NO TIME TO GO BACK.

temeculaseq · #13 (**permalink**) 11-18-2007, 07:17 PM

Mine just broke this morning...right as I was leaving to go pick up my daughter's quad. Very frustrating time for it to break. I was able to open it by removing the access plate. One of the purple clips on the end of the rod broke. I'm surprised that Toyota used such a small cheap piece of plastic!

07White-SR5 · #14 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsmonline

I have a BakFlip cover on my truck and it is kept locked. If I could not unlock and open my tail gate, I would have to rip open the cover somehow, so it was important to insure I 'fixed' my rods and clips before I had a problem.

Wow, funny you mentioned that. Because it's exactly what happened to me right now. This is the first thread I found after searching for broken tailgate latch.

Now I have to figure out how to get the cover open without damaging it so I can open my damn tailgate from the inside.

azdesert57 · #15 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsmonline

If you open up the inspection plate on the tail gate and look at the mechanism used to open the latches, you will see a number of cheap plastic clips holding down rods. There are any number of ways to modify the tie-downs so that they will not come off or break just when you need to get into you bed the worst. I have a BakFlip cover on my truck and it is kept locked. If I could not unlock and open my tail gate, I would have to rip open the cover somehow, so it was important to insure I 'fixed' my rods and clips before I had a problem.

I have attached a copy of the TSB on this issue, I do not believe the dealer fix is sufficient to insure it will not have additional problems down the road.

question: will toyota replace the unit if mine is still working fine???