Anybody else have trouble getting their tailgate to open?

I bought my truck about a year ago and at the time it opened easily, but every so often it would make a loud metal clink sound about halfway down. Lately it has also gotten hard to unlatch. I have to stand on the bumper and pull straight up on the handle in order to open it.

Anybody have an idea what could be the problem? I've sprayed the mechanism that I can see on either side with some lithium grease and that stops the clink sound for a little while, but this fix is only temporary. Is there some other part I should lube or adjust?

Thanks,
Greg

 

Open the access panel and lube the moving parts in there. That will also let you see what is binding.

 

Almost sounds like a warped tailgate or a bent latch pin. Mine has a slight bow to it after hauling about 1200 pounds of tools and lumber with the tailgate up and its a little tought to open at times.

 

x2...

 

Thanks for the tips. Probably a question I could answer by looking after work, but where is the access panel? Hopefully on the side and not covered by the bedliner?

Greg

 

Look at the upper half inside of your tailgate. You will see a bunch of screws in 2 rows. That is the access panel that allows you to get to to the locking mechanism, etc.