Is it normal for one side of the tailgate cable to be tight and the other side loose? It appears on 2004 that the tailgate cables are at different lengths from one side to another.


I am scared that my dealer told me this was normal?

<DIV>Your truck is probably junk, You can send it to me for proper disposal.http://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif</DIV>
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<DIV>In all seriousness, it's normal don't worry about it, enjoy your truck.</DIV>

Many people are mentioning this. My cables were both under tension, but you could feel that one was tighter than the other. When I replaced them with my VR Straps, one strap was noticably looser than the other. I had the tailgate down last night while changing out a burnt-out stoplight bulb and noted that tension seemed equal on the VR Straps. If there's a little imbalance, it should self-correct. It will definitely adjust if there's any load on the gate - I don't see that it's really a concern unless you are relying on the cheesy OEM cables where a chance for a sequential failure just adds to the risk.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Dead.gif

Well, it's "normal" in the sense that a lot of them do it, but it's certainly not normal from any other perspective. Typical GM bullsh... well, you know what I mean. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

But I don't think that it can be fixed. I spent the better part of an hour trying to adjust it one time, but I got nowhere. I've installed the VR Straps now, so I'm less concerned then I once was.

This isn't a little out of whack, its a good 1/2inch to inch longer than the other side. Doesn't make sense to me. Love my truck, but my 00, and 02 did not have this issue. And to be told this is normal... well i guess common sense is eluding this dealer.


Really thinking my dealer was just trying to get out of doing it.


Anyways not a big deal, have been nothing but impressed with the truck.

1/2 an inch? Mine wasn't quite that bad.

I just installed a "Handy" 5th wheel louvered tailgate on mine. This model uses the OEM cables and the instructions say that there is a left and right cabe and not to mix them up. Of course I read this after i had completed the job. I still can not see any difference in them..http://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif

Hold the cable up to the light...... check for pin holes http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wink.gif

Does you truck have the Juice? If so maby all that heat from the exhaust pipe is rising up and heating one of the cables and causing your problem.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

If you use your tailgate, it is just a matter of time when the junk ass cables break. Mine broke without notice and only 200 or so pounds on it. The VR Straps that VictoryRed sells are the way to go.


Back on track, Yes they pretty much all have one side tighter then the other.

You know I use my tailgate all the time loading hay, four wheelers, our fat selves and other stuff, and so does my dad and neither of them has broken. The other day we had a load on his so heavy is bent the metal where the pegs that hold the top of the cables are, but the cables held.. Are you guys that have broken them in wet climates?

_nar_, I think wet conditions/climate certainly may be a contributing factor. The biggest problem is the plastic sheath on the cable. When the tailgate is folded, it can trap moisture in the bend of the cable and corrosion occurs with no visual indication or warning. The cables have shown sudden and unexpected failure in hundreds of cases now - enough to get the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the issue (http://www.reuters.com/financeNewsArticle.jhtml?type=governmentFilingsNew s&amp;storyID=4418038). The stock cables can fail suddenly without warning, not only leading to potentially serious injury, but creasing and damaging the tailgate on the rear bumper - approximately a $1000 damage. I certainly didn't trust mine and I'm very happy to have some VR Straps on my gate! Edited by: Idle_Chatter