HELP! 03' GMC tailgate will not latch closed

[ToddyP5]

My 03' GMC 2500HD Duramax tailgate will not latch close. I have to slam it at least 15 times until it finally catches. Have sprayed a ton of WD40 on it and does not seem to work. Any advice guys would be great.

[Scott K]

I am not a GM guy, but if I was to have this problem with a ford I would replace the latch. I am sure others with more GM experience will chime in soon.

[Outfitter17]

I am having the same problem with my 05 duramax, does your tailgate handle stick out and not go back in? Mines stays out and I have to push the handle back in to make the tailgatestay closed. I am going to take it in, but I have not had time.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Its in the handle. You can try spraying lubricant into the handle area and see what happens. Basically there is a lever that pushes down on a pivot which pulls two rods which unlatch the tailgate. That pivot will either rust up or get sticky and will not rotate back into the position that allows the latch to lock.

[ToddyP5]

Airjer you were right. I took the plastic cover off of the handle housing area nd located the pivot point and rods. That area is completely rusted. I have been spraying and working the area now for a couple hours and it is getting a little better. It looks as if I can pull that entire latch assembly out and replace it...is that correct. I think I got a temporary fix to it though....and Outfitter 17 my handle does not stick out but I bet looking at mine that the pivot point is the same problem on yours....

[Jeremy airjer W]

You are correct, they come as a latch assembly.

[Outfitter17]

Thanks for the help guys, I will check into it tomorrow.