Tailgate question

[JimH]

When my tailgate is down, the right side cable is tight, but the left one is loose. If I apply pressure to the left side of the tailgate, the cable gets tight. Does anybody else have this problem? Or is my tailgate warped? Or ???

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[Big Blue]

When my tailgate is down, the right side cable is tight, but the left one is loose. If I apply pressure to the left side of the tailgate, the cable gets tight. Does anybody else have this problem? Or is my tailgate warped? Or ???

Don't worry this is common. Tolerance on cables not great, the aluminum tailgate will flex some also. If you swap cables side to side it may shift it or not.

 

[JimH]

Okay, I won't worry about it. My 20+ years as a Aircraft Mechanic causes me to worry about the little stuff sometimes!

 

[SILK]

When my tailgate is down, the right side cable is tight, but the left one is loose. If I apply pressure to the left side of the tailgate, the cable gets tight. Does anybody else have this problem? Or is my tailgate warped? Or ???

The best fix for this is a tailgate damper. Just ask @AzScorpion

 

[NickTheEnforcer]

When my tailgate is down, the right side cable is tight, but the left one is loose. If I apply pressure to the left side of the tailgate, the cable gets tight. Does anybody else have this problem? Or is my tailgate warped? Or ???

More importantly my dealer service advisor put low-profile lisc plate screws on my truck and showed me that with the gate fully open/down the bottom edge pushes against the plate, screws and 'bows' the plastic fascia...poor engineering detail with no expected fix! He said that he has been addressing as they come in to prevent problems, paint coming off when taller profile self-tapper/hex heads are used.

 

[AzScorpion]

The best fix for this is a tailgate damper. Just ask @AzScorpion

But if he adds a damper then he has to start modding that too. It's a vicious never ending cycle! ?

 

[JimH]

The best fix for this is a tailgate damper. Just ask @AzScorpion

I already have the damper. I disconnected it and found it will extend another 4 or 5 inches, so that's not the problem (or the solution)..

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

The problem is that your tailgates become weak and punny, and not able to open all the way! A common side effect of dampers.

 

[KJRR]

Just checking in to make sure Dave covered the damper already since tailgate was mentioned. ?

 

[AzScorpion]

Just checking in to make sure Dave covered the damper already since tailgate was mentioned. ?

A little late cuz I was working but I'm on it. ?

 

[FoD]

But if he adds a damper then he has to start modding that too. It's a vicious never ending cycle! ?

The problem is that your tailgates become weak and punny, and not able to open all the way! A common side effect of dampers.

Just checking in to make sure Dave covered the damper already since tailgate was mentioned. ?

Best bet is to open tailgate and while time delay gravity defying time slip flux damper is doing it's thing, jump into truck, slam into reverse, floor it and back into a power pole at speed. Should be enough to make the necessary hinge adjustment that tightens up the wayward cable

 

[Stan McKinney]

Its

 

[THLONE]

Just another thing for dam per people to do while waiting for their tailgate to open. In order to do a truly scientific test you must watch your tailgate come down many many times. ?

 

[shirleyb]

When my tailgate is down, the right side cable is tight, but the left one is loose. If I apply pressure to the left side of the tailgate, the cable gets tight. Does anybody else have this problem? Or is my tailgate warped? Or ???

 

[shirleyb]

Here is my solution:

Every F-150 I have checked have one cable loose. They should have an adjustment, but do not.
Rangers also have this issue. My solution:
Remove the tight cable and use a hight speed grinder with a small bit. Remove a very small amount of material and reinstall and check if it is tight like the other side. You could even use a small rat tail file to remove material.
I worked perfect for me, I do not think the tailgate is warped, the Ranger should have an adjustment, but none do.
Thanks, Shirley

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