Can't get tailgate open |
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Inkara1
Senior Member Joined: 17-November-2021 Location: Ridgecrest, CA Status: Offline Points: 274 |
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Posted: 30-November-2021 at 12:17PM |
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My '72 tailgate won't open at all. I pull on the outside handle and nothing happens, but there is tension so it feels like it's pulling on something. If I turn the key, I can hear the motor running, but the window doesn't move, so I can't roll it down to let me fold the gate down. I also can't get the inside panel to come off so I can reach inside the gate to open it that way. Is the panel glued at the bottom in addition to the screws?
Any other ideas for getting it open? I tried lifting it with one hand while pulling the handle with the other. Even j7st being able to open it sideways would be a big improvement.
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1972 Gran Torino station wagon, light blue, 351C 2V, prior owner upgraded to 4V (2V heads), originally had a C4 but prior owner changed to C6 for some reason.
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72 RS 351
Senior Member Joined: 04-September-2014 Location: Knoxville TN Status: Offline Points: 2765 |
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That's a tough problem. I don't know the answer to that, but the latch mechanisms are probably needing lubrication badly. Try to find a way to spray something into the latch area, the door handle hinges etc, through the openings around those.
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Don
73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000+ rpm 351-4V &4R70W 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W |
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handsofstone
Senior Member Joined: 13-April-2018 Location: Northeast Status: Offline Points: 3941 |
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If the window is jammed full up it may be putting outward pressure on the latches. Try pushing it in real hard and then try the handle.
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gpd294
Senior Member Joined: 18-September-2008 Location: Dallas, Texas Status: Offline Points: 2178 |
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You may want to get someone working from the inside to apply pressure on the tailgate outward while you are on the outside lifting the tailgate handle pulling on it to hopefully get the latches to unstick. It may be that the rods that unlock the latches may have slipped out of there place as well so the latches are not being unlocked if that makes sense. Lubricate and let sit the best you can first.
As far as the window motor turning, that is more than likely the plastic cogs inside the motor itself that have disintegrated over time causing the motor to turn, but the window doesn't move up or down. The tailgate interior panel is attached with several small screws only, no adhesive, unless that was a previous owners "upgrade". Good luck and keep us posted! |
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Carlos....1975 Gran Torino Squire Station Wagon restored to look like a 1973 Torino Station
Wagon my Dad bought new from McAnary Ford on June 6, 1973 in Gary,Indiana |
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Inkara1
Senior Member Joined: 17-November-2021 Location: Ridgecrest, CA Status: Offline Points: 274 |
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So I was able to get the inside panel off. There were a couple more screws hidden in the corners that I didn't see. I had to fashion a tool by grinding down the back of a Phillips head bit so it would fit into the space sideways and then super glue it into a cheap ratcheting 1/4" ratcheting driver. Amazon has some screwdrivers that can fit, but I didn't want to wait a few days for them to show up.
I've sprayed lubricant all over the mechanism inside the gate, plus as much as I can get on the latch between the gate and tail light. I can pull on the lever and see some movement. I don't know if I'm reaching the end of the range of movement or if it's hanging up on something, but it's not unlatching. I guess I can try to unhook the rod that goes to the fold-down mechanism... Also, I broke the plastic bushing that holds the rod from the outside handle into the mechanism lever. Is another one obtainable, or am I stuck trying to jimmy-rig it? Here's a picture of the tool if anyone is interested:
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1972 Gran Torino station wagon, light blue, 351C 2V, prior owner upgraded to 4V (2V heads), originally had a C4 but prior owner changed to C6 for some reason.
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gpd294
Senior Member Joined: 18-September-2008 Location: Dallas, Texas Status: Offline Points: 2178 |
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