Tailgate making popping noise when closing and very heavy.

[CT25]

I had my tail gate replaced 2 months ago. It is now making a loud popping noise when i close it. I noticed the noise when i got it back after replacement but it was minimal noise. Also the tailgate seem very heavy than before. Submitted a video to SC and they ordered a new damper strut. Either the damper strut is broken or the tailgate torsion rod is not installed correctly. Anyone have similar issue?

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[edsonbarron]

My first tailgate replacement did this. They did not tighten one of the bolts on the bottom side of the tailgate. I tightened it myself and it stopped popping. There’s 2 bolts ones towards the left and ones toward the right

 

[CT25]

My first tailgate replacement did this. They did not tighten one of the bolts on the bottom side of the tailgate. I tightened it myself and it stopped popping. There’s 2 bolts ones towards the left and ones toward the right

Are you talking about these two main bolts left and right?

 

[edsonbarron]

No there’s 2 bolts on bottom if you close it and look up from bottom. Purple arrow

 

[CT25]

No there’s 2 bolts on bottom if you close it and look up from bottom. Purple arrow

must be these two bolts on the bottom right? I think the torsion rod is loose and is making that noise. Thanks i’ll take a look see if they are loose.

 

[mongo]

must be these two bolts on the bottom right? I think the torsion rod is loose and is making that noise. Thanks i’ll take a look see if they are loose.

Yeah, sounds like torsion rod is disconnected.

 

[CT25]

must be these two bolts on the bottom right? I think the torsion rod is loose and is making that noise. Thanks i’ll take a look see if they are loose.

Thanks for the tips! Saved me a trip to SC. Looked under the tailgate and the exact nut was not in all the way. Tightened it and now the tailgate is lighter and not making anymore popping noise.

 

[edsonbarron]

Thanks for the tips! Saved me a trip to SC. Looked under the tailgate and the exact nut was not in all the way. Tightened it and now the tailgate is lighter and not making anymore popping noise.

Knew it lol, your welcome!

 

[koolio]

Thanks for the tips! Saved me a trip to SC. Looked under the tailgate and the exact nut was not in all the way. Tightened it and now the tailgate is lighter and not making anymore popping noise.

Thanks for letting us know how you fixed it.

Hopefully, you can provide this feedback to your SC so they have data to track down root cause and train the tech to prevent this from occurring to others.

 

[Hookalakupua]

I think I have the same problem. How do I access those bolts in order to make the adjustment. Thanks!

 

[edsonbarron]

I think I have the same problem. How do I access those bolts in order to make the adjustment. Thanks!

close the tailgate, then look at it from underneath, might need a flashlight, but they can be accessed. will be one on the right side one on the left side. just use a ratchet with an extension

 

[Hookalakupua]

close the tailgate, then look at it from underneath, might need a flashlight, but they can be accessed. will be one on the right side one on the left side. just use a ratchet with an extension

Outstanding! Can’t wait to do it! Thank you!!

 

[CyberGus]

Thank you!!

 

[AbblePC]

Thanks a ton!
I just had mine serviced for the tailgate replacement as well and upon performing the service, the service center cracked my taillight bar across its length and broke the tailgate top cover clips as well.
Afterward I had this same heavy feeling and loud pop noise once you got it up to about a 45 degree angle before fully closing it.

Afterward, I had mobile service come and replace my taillight bar (because I am 2 hrs from service center) and I showed him how the noise was now occurring each time you closed the gate, as well the heaviness of it as compared to what it was like new & up to the point of the serviced tailgate replacement.

Since initial tailgate service I am also missing 2 screws from the inner tailgate ”black” cover near the bottom, one on each side that are supposed to be 2X T30 Torx bolts.


I removed both close out covers to see if it was the gas strut that assists the tailgate. Here I discovered that there is only one strut on the left side of the gate and it only assists on dampening the gate when it is opening to stop it from just slamming down.
So I assumed it had to be something with the torsion spring and incorrectly installed or operating since the tailgate service.

Once I saw your post, I thought hmm, I am already missing 2 bolts on the inner tailgate cover, let me check to see if that bolt is missing or loose as well that you pointed out is located on the bottom left corner when looking at the rear of the truck (circled in red in your photo).
Low & behold I could actually fit my fingertip between the head of that bolt and the tailgate base.. I got a 13mm deep well socket and must have done 10-15 turns until it was completely tightened again.
Afterward I closed the gate - no loud popping noise… pressed the gate release button and let it open all the way - lifted the gate to close it and it was light as it always had been prior to the tailgate replacement! I was ecstatic, and it took all of a minute to actually tighten that bolt Which somehow keeps the torsion bar restrained in a way that allows it to give enough torque on the gate while lifting it to close. I think with the bolt loose, the torsion rod was only barely catching and once the gate got to a 45 degree angle it would snap back into original position as if the gate was still laid flat / open.

So now I am wondering if anyone that gets a replacement liftgate, are there or will there always be 2 missing T30 torx screws on the inner gate cover bottom location and will that torsion rod adjustment screw be left loose from the factory? I find it hard to believe that 2 completely different service centers (yours & mine here in Carlisle PA) performed the same work and did the exact same thing to all of these bolts and that the manual does not detail anything with that larger 13mm torsion bolt for gate lift assist for adjustments etc..

 

[eser50]

I had this happen to me after getting my tailgate replaced too. I'm also missing the same torx bolts and they stripped the 4 that hold the cover on each side.

I figured it was the torsion bar making the popping noise, so I took my tailgate apart completely and removed the cover and put it back on. I touched the torsion bar while I closed it and I could even see it popping while I closed it. I tightened the bolts mentioned, but it seems that the sound didn't go away.

I didn't want to loosen them because I was afraid the bar was under tension.
I sprayed the areas that move with silicone lubricant and the popping noise went away completely, but it's still significantly heavier than when I originally got the truck and after a while it seems the noise is coming back.

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