tail gate cable

S

steveno

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2007
Messages
2,849
Reaction score
4,320
Location
Minden , Nebraska
one of the tail gate cables snapped on my 2004 Chevy Colorado. I went to the dealer this morning and they want $50 for the damn thing. well that ain't going to happen. I thought about the junk yard but I doubt that they mess around with such a part. any ideas for a cheaper replacement?
 
Register to hide this ad
I have a 2000 GMC sierra and a 2001 silverado. I cant remember which one it was but I got a fix letter to bring it in to replace those cables. I did and they replaced it for me.
 
Last edited:
most parts stores (advanced auto, auto zone, etc) have them on the red "motormite"/"help" cards. you better replace it quick. the other one will go in a hurry after one goes!
 
I had a 2000 Silverado and it was recalled because of shoddy tail gate cables. Got mine fixed free. Might be worth pointing out that GM has had acknowledged problems for years.
 
I had a 2004 Silverado that had a recall for those cables...but this was before they became Gov't Motors.

check the ones on the Colorado may have been recalled.
 
I wasn't aware of recalls so I will check that. I lowered the tailgate so I could climb into the bed to wax the top of the cab. I started to put some weight on the tailgate and the cable snapped it sounded like a 22 going off. I started looking around to see what was going on and then I noticed the cable had snapped. it was almost rusted through.
 
I'm not 100% sure but I think the new improved ones are stainless.
Don't buy new old stock from the internet or it will happen again.
 
GM tailgate cables have been a constant problem for decades now, and I have to replace the ones on my '76 GMC full size Jimmy 4x4 every few years.

As another said, if you wait too long the other will go and it will ruin your tailgate.
 
steveno said:
one of the tail gate cables snapped on my 2004 Chevy Colorado. I went to the dealer this morning and they want $50 for the damn thing. well that ain't going to happen. I thought about the junk yard but I doubt that they mess around with such a part. any ideas for a cheaper replacement?
Click to expand...

I believe yours was part a TSB. Call a Chevy dealer. Might get both replaced FREE.

rags
 
What happened to the good old times where you had the chain to keep the tailgate up or you used the chain to lengthen the bed our you could just drop the gate down!!!!
 
As someone who has sold the cables for years. If one breaks and you put a new one on only one side it will be much tighter than the other side. And it will break much quicker. The new one that is. So if you are only going to replace one DONT. This is parts that need to be replaced in PAIRS only. Another way to keep them better longer is to not drop the tailgate and let the cables catch it. Let it down as easy as possible they will last much longer.
 
Go to hardware store and get some wire cable and a couple of the smash down clamps and make your own. Can make 2 for less than the price of one bought cable and you can always make them as needed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

wuluf
Cutting the cable
2
Replies
26
Views
726
Golddollar
Golddollar
Rule3
USB cable confusion! Which one is good enough??
Replies
12
Views
621
LouisianaJoe
LouisianaJoe
D
Red tail hawk
Replies
10
Views
651
bdGreen
B
Bugkiller99
Truck tail gate ladders
2
Replies
25
Views
858
mtgianni
M
O
98 YOA Dauntless Tail Gunner
Replies
7
Views
419
hivel37
H

Latest posts

Back
Top