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2004 - 2008 Ford F150 General discussion on the 2004 - 2008 Ford F150 truck.

Tailgate wont open

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Old Feb 28, 2016 | 06:24 PM
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Default Tailgate wont open

Hi. I have a 2008 F150. The tailgate is hard to open. If I pull the handle I have to lit the handle with force. Has anyone had this happen to them? How do I fix it? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Old Feb 28, 2016 | 07:23 PM
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Take the inner tailgate cover off and lube the release mechanism and the latches.
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Old Feb 29, 2016 | 06:36 AM
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What PerryB states, or perhaps the left/right rods are out of adjustment.
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Old Feb 29, 2016 | 08:50 AM
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Adjust the strikers on the box sides. I believe it is a large torx that is required.

If you have to pull upwards then the strikers need to come down a little. Use a washable marker to mark around the striker. Loosen it only slightly and tap lightly with a small hammer. When it moves down about 1/16" tighten the striker and adjust the other side.

Test tailgate and adjust again as needed. You may find the striker must be moved forward or backward as well. With some fine adjustment you can get it working like new again.
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Old Feb 29, 2016 | 08:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Yoko
Hi. I have a 2008 F150. The tailgate is hard to open. If I pull the handle I have to lit the handle with force. Has anyone had this happen to them? How do I fix it? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Does anyone have any pictures or video of this?
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Old Feb 29, 2016 | 09:10 AM
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For what? You quoted yourself...
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Old Feb 29, 2016 | 03:14 PM
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This should be helpful:
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Old Feb 29, 2016 | 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by joe mcmillan
I spit my drink when he said "you'll need a beer..." lol this guys knows me.
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Old Feb 29, 2016 | 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by berty
I spit my drink when he said "you'll need a beer..." lol this guys knows me.
So you wasted that beer?????
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Old Feb 29, 2016 | 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted by joe mcmillan
So you wasted that beer?????
haha just water, my work doesn't allow open beer in the office until after 4.
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