Loose tailgate

[03ranger30]

I noticed last night when I was putting my tailgate up that i can pull on the one side of the tailgate and it moves up and down, whereas the other side doesn't. I also noticed that when I was going down a bumpy road today that the tailgate rattles and it obviously bouncing up and down.

What could be causing this and how can it be fixed?

Thanks

 

[det107]

It could be possible that the side door strikers need alignment & adjustment. Or the rod inside on either side is stuck in the closed position-

 

[Endoverend47]

let me guess, its the passenger side that you can move up and down? this is because that side is like an upside down C that unhooks when the tailgate is opened a little past half way so you can remove the tail gate

 

[03ranger30]

let me guess, its the passenger side that you can move up and down? this is because that side is like an upside down C that unhooks when the tailgate is opened a little past half way so you can remove the tail gate

You got it. I can move the passenger side up and down yet the driver side goes nowhere when I try to move it. Is it supposed to be like that?

 

[lone-wolf]

The tailgate on the 97 ranger I bought has rubberish gasket in the tailgate thing to help prevent movement. My 95 didn't have any and felt way loose.

 

[03ranger30]

I looked at it today, it looks like its supposed to be like that.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

sure the plastic bushings are in there?
When they arent the tailgate does exactly what u say.

 

[lone-wolf]

sure the plastic bushings are in there?
When they arent the tailgate does exactly what u say.

Ah, plastic bushings, thats what my 97 had, and my 95 did not.

 

[shane96ranger]

Dorman makes a kit you can buy through O'Reilly for about 10 dollars (P/N 38641). I was just looking at them for my F150.

Here it is on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-38641-Tailgate-Hinge-Insert/dp/B000QUZ572/?tag=959media-20

 

[03ranger30]

The c-clip thing is there, but I don't know about the bushing