2012 model. A few weeks ago the opening and closing of the tailgate stopped working correctly. It's behaves as though it has the controlled drop. If I open it and let it fall it used to slam down (I think newer models got that improvement). Now it kind of hangs there. It doesn't take a lot of force but I can open it no problem. Sometimes it makes a somewhat nasty click sound. Closing is similar, takes a bit more effort than it should and sometimes a click.

It looks like there may be a torsion spring in there? If so I'm thinking it may have broke or come loose or something. Any idea how to fix this?

 

I know mine is super stiff, but I think it's just dirty. I really need to clean it up. I haven't noticed any nasty sounds, though.

 

Mine up to a couple weeks ago moved incredibly easily. Something came loose/let go in there.

The more I think about it I think there's a torsion spring in there that became disconnected. I don't see how I can get in there to attempt to fix it.

 

Did you take it off and inspect the attachment points?

 

There is a torsion spring, it's just a long bar.

 

I wonder if the mounting block for the torsion spring is loose and its slipping/spinning.

 

Mine is doing the same. I'm gonna take the torsion spring out completely and run and ez tailgate shock instead