Tailgate Spring Rods

[wn]

I just replaced my tailgate and the two rods at the bottom of the tailgate are left over and I can't figure out how they go back in. I know they fit at the bottom of the tailgate and hook into the cover over the hinges, but I am missing something. Do these act as a spring in the lifting and lowering of the tailgate, because it drops like it weighs 300 lbs.

Any hints on how these go back in would be appreciated.

[Sitting Bull]

This is one of those things you have to prepare yourself for. It's not going to be fun (it always helps me out to expect that when I have a project like the one your talking about) :mad:.

First, insert the rods into the hinge mount. The rods have to be slid into the tailgate when it is 90% closed, so make sure you have someone to hold/adjust it. You have to torque them a little bit with your hands in order to get them in.

After about the 20th try, they'll pop right in, I think it's a feature! You'll swear you did nothing different from the 19th attempt, this truly one of those "hold your mouth right" things.

[wn]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Sitting Bull:
This is one of those things you have to prepare yourself for. It's not going to be fun (it always helps me out to expect that when I have a project like the one your talking about) :mad:.

First, insert the rods into the hinge mount. The rods have to be slid into the tailgate when it is 90% closed, so make sure you have someone to hold/adjust it. You have to torque them a little bit with your hands in order to get them in.

After about the 20th try, they'll pop right in, I think it's a feature! You'll swear you did nothing different from the 19th attempt, this truly one of those "hold your mouth right" things.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the info....Sounds like you're speaking from experience. After thinking about this, I thought maybe he tailgate would need to be up to get the twist on the rods. They are backwards with the tailgate down. Again, I'll try your "technique".

[smithhl]

I've had to do this before, and you'll need about two barrels of patience!