Bent tailgate handle
 

I pulled off my tailgate today and noticed my handle has a bit of a bend and that got me to thinking, ive noticed a lot of our style tailgate handles always get bent and always lean to one side and its always bugged me. Anyone know what im talking about and have any tips to fix it?

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

im a stepside owner but i have noticed this. i would love to see what others have done to fix it

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

yeah...ive noticed this too..I want it fixed too

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

Mine's bent too. Don't know why though.

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

Chevy lean on the handles too I suppose
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Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

I have 2 tailgates and they both do that.

I want to get a rebuild kit but I heard they're a real bear to put back together

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

I put a brand new handle in mine and it leans. There's nothing you can do as far as I'm aware. I think it's the shape of the gate, or something in the sheet metal of the gate itself. I've honestly never seen a straight one, at least around here.

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

i'll go check the crew cabs tailgate

edit: no suprize, it leans to the left

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

doesnt anyones doors around the window fit with the cab?

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

Nothing fits lol.
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Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

lol fixed mine by putting a jimmy band on it.

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

I too have always noticed this "chevy lean" occurrence on the tailgate handle

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

and doors

and the whole truck

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

My doors have the same affliction, what is a "Jimmy Band"?

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

the tail gate band from a Jimmy or a Blazzer, thats what I did as well.

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

Ahh, I'm picking up what your putting down. That's a great idea. Then the handle is on the inside.

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

On my first truck, I just did a little bendacatin' on my handle and re-centered it. It can be done. A lot of the misalignment comes from just pulling it out with all of th elinkage dry and a lot of resistance on the handle. grease everything and keep it lubed.

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

Thats about what I had in mind, but wanted to see if there was something else before I go bending things lol. And ive toyed with the idea of the blazer/jimmy tailgate band but cant find one in my area.

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

x2.

I think I bent mine out of shape by pulling on it while the gate was bound up.

I little tweak of the bracket should do it but I am hesitant to try now since everything is painted nicely.

K

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

Just spray the exposed parts with WD-40 or do you actually open it up and use grease?

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

I have bent my TG handle in the past right after I took a swallow of warm back-wash, when what I really needed was fresh cool one. :b69:

:haha: In other words “From yanking it open, when I really should have been more genteel with it”

Re: Bent tailgate handle
 

lubrication is the key

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