Tailgate Problem

[speilman]

Just aquired a 97 GMC Sierra. Love the truck, looks and runs great, BUT, the tailgate latch seems to have siezed in the open position, Not normally a problem as the hard tonneau usualy holds the gate closed. However on those occassions that I have to transport something with the cover open the gate tends to fall open during acceleration. Would anyone know of an easy fix, or an aftermarket latch assembly. Want to avoid going to GM for the parts as I've seen a few trucks with the same problem, which leads me to beleive that the stock latch could use some redesigning.

[Jeremy-WI]

pretty common for the latch to get gummed up or rusted, spray it with some pb blaster. I actually remove the latch and sprayed it to loosen everything up, by latch I mean the handle you use to open the tailgate with.

[BigBoyBall]

I recently had the same problem. The tailgate latch mechanism became altered from use, it bent in other words. I took it apart and worked it back. That was fine for some time, but eventually it broke again.
Instead of working it back one more time I decided to see how much it would cost to replace it.
I found a seller on ebay that had the part I needed at a great price and replaced the mechanism in a short time.
The part matched perfectly and works without any problems