ceasefire49

Anybody have a difficult time locking or unlocking Tail Gate? I have to really Play with it pushing the gate in or out moving it back and forth until it finally locks or unlatches.

BadFish523

You can adjust the latches slightly in or out to make it latch and unlatch easier. If this is a case of binding pressure like you're describing. Maybe give that a try for starters?

650NutKase

Take the plate off the back of the latch, clean, and LUBE

raysr729

Check out my thread as well. I adjusted the rods into the mechanism. It seemed to fix my issue

https://www.f150forum.com/f4/tailgate-hard-open-442295/

CoToKi

I had this same issue when I bought my truck. Remove the tailgate access panel, and it may be easier to remove the tailgate handle. Remove the lock cylinder from the handle, and like 650NutKase says, clean and lube. I used almost a half can of brake clean, and then spray it well (inside and out) with a silicone lube. Spray clean (again inside and out), and work it with your key. Mine freed up and felt like new when I was done.

mick_man32

There are two rods in there once you pull plate off, you will see them... they run to the left and right latches. I once had one bent slightly (how does that happen?), I straightened it up and it made a huge improvement on mine. I cleaned and lubed, liked everybody mentioned nad I was good to go Also make sure that everything else lines up and nothing else is binding.

DarrinT04

i had one of the rods bend on mine and it was a bitch to open. i got so pissed about it and pulled the plate off and straightened it up. what a improvement it made