2000 Chevy Silverado 3/4 ton pickup, tailgate will not open. One side seems to unlatch but it will not budge. Usually there is a panel that can be taken off, but this tailgate seems to be totally enclosed. I have heard there are plastic clips that attach the rods to the handle, but how do I drop the tailgate to get it open to fix it?

Darren, February 2008

Remove the plastic latch cover by pushing it up and pulling out the bottom. Inside the mechanism, you will see two metal rods with colored plastic clips on the ends. One of them is probably broken. I just bought a package of them at Pep Boys for .99. They are called window rod clips. Two of them in he package fit the Silverado tailgate rods. Pop of the old one and pop on a new one. Replace the latch cover and you are good to go.

David, September 2008

Darren, Look up under the tail gate lift handle, I think their is 2 or 3 bolts with countersunk head under there. Their is some plastic clips that fasten the linkage to the handle. I made 1 out of heavy wire for a friend.

Walter Fulford, February 2008