Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Tailgate Latch Control Assembly: Removal
All vehicles
- Open the tailgate.
- If equipped. Remove the bedliner tailgate cover.
Torque: 28 lb.in (3.2 Nm)
- Remove the tailgate access cover.
Torque: 28 lb.in (3.2 Nm)
Vehicles without mechanical tailgate handle
- Disconnect the tailgate latch actuating rods.
- Remove the tailgate latch control assembly.
- Remove the tailgate latch control assembly nuts.
Torque: 80 lb.in (9 Nm)
- Disconnect the tailgate latch actuator electrical connector.
- Detach the tailgate latch actuator harness routing clip.
- Remove the tailgate latch control assembly.
- Remove the tailgate latch control assembly nuts.
-
NOTE: This step is only necessary when installing a new component.
Remove the tailgate latch actuator.
Vehicles with mechanical tailgate handle
-
NOTE: Complete manual tailgate latch shown, others similar.
Disconnect the tailgate latch actuating rods.
- Disconnect the left tailgate latch actuating rod.
- Disconnect the right tailgate latch actuating rod.
- Disconnect the tailgate handle to control assembly actuating rod.
- If equipped. Disconnect the tailgate lock to control assembly actuating rod.
- If equipped. Disconnect the tailgate lock actuator electrical connector.
Torque: 80 lb.in (9 Nm)
- Remove the nuts and the tailgate latch control assembly.
Torque: 80 lb.in (9 Nm)
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.