Loose tailgate when closed

[factive]

When tailgate is closed it has about 1/4-1/2" of play. Also makes a nasty squeaking sound. I can spray a shot of wd40 to help with the rattle temporarily but would like a permanent fix. For comparison my pops' tailgate on his dodge is solid as a rock, granted he doesn't drive his truck like I do mine.

 

[JRaptor11]

Mine squeaks like crazy too

 

[Madcowranch]

Are your bedsides spread?

Mine were so spread it wasn't latching solidly.

 

[MatMan]

Try replacing the striker posts,

 

[Raptor Embroidery]

Replace striker posts, put WD-40 on them and then buy TMX bed side stabilizers. My tailgate used to squeak like crazy until I got their bed side support system. I also had pretty bad bed spread (gap between bedside and tailgate). Now after about a 15 minute install and torquing them down, no more squeaking and no more bed side spread. Great fix and definitely worth the price. Not to mention they look pretty sick!

 

[SVT_4X4]

Mine did that and I actually adjusted it closer to box so it closed tighter and solved the squeak rattle problem.

 

[farman]

I just noticed my tailgate had a bunch of play in it that it didn't have before also. Didn't really notice anymore gap between the tailgate and bedside. I didn't think I would ever need the bed stabilizers since I don't really do any frame twisting type off-roading, but I guess she's just getting old(2.5 yrs) people ask me how the truck is and I just tell them well I haven't broke it yet. And they just look at me funny, I guess they just don't understand what I do with the truck every weekend.

 

[JRaptor11]

Got the TMX bed stabilizers from a fellow FRF member this past weekend. Plan to install them this weekend. You guys say striker pole. Forgive me but what is that?

 

[factive]

Are your bedsides spread?

Mine were so spread it wasn't latching solidly.

They are. I have the SDHQ supports and have tried adjusting them every which way I can think of. On one side the gap is really tight and even top to bottom. The other side the gap is bigger and not even. I feel like if I tighten that side anymore I'm going to over-torque and break something.

 

[pat'sRAPTOR]

The SDHQ mounts are great especially if you need bed space but I've heard they're really hard to adjust that's why I will always say go with the TMX stabilizers super easy to install and adjust ven with the tailgate closed and strong as hell! I run with my tailgate off most of the time thanks to the TMX stabizers!