Blazer/Jimmy tailgate latch control
 

New to this forum...hope you don't discriminate because my truck is actually a GMC Jimmy. :)

Anyway, I bought a used tailgate latch control for my fullize '90 Jimmy at the junkyard, complete with spring and all hardware. I took the asembly off myself. Unfortunately it was some time ago now I cannot for the life of me remember how that spring was attached. This would be the spring that pulls the latch rods back and returns them to their original position after pulling on the release handle.

Would anyone out there be able to supply instructions on reattaching the spring to the latch control or a picture of how it is attached. I am trying to get the tailgate reassembled and this is the last stumbling block.

Thanks in advance for your help!

RE: Blazer/Jimmy tailgate latch control
 

Hey, welcome to the site. I have an 87 Jimmy as well as a couple of blazers.

I don't really see any pictures in my manual, but if I can remember, I'll take the panel of of my tailgate tomorrow. I can have a look and take a couple of pictures and post them for you.

RE: Blazer/Jimmy tailgate latch control
 

ok, I don't know if this is what you were looking for or not, but here's some pics. let me know if I'm on track


[IMG]local://upfiles/2910/562A49411778404F9A693EC598D43710.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/2910/1EC6D74E366F4850A3C6A06DFCB878F6.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/2910/D6EEFC0BE65E42A7908DEDC79623A504.jpg[/IMG]

RE: Blazer/Jimmy tailgate latch control
 

The second of your pictures is close.

I have attached two photos myself showing this area in detail. I have edited the photos to show where I am currently trying the spring and where I am thinking it should be. I noticed that you have all the interior components of the tailgate in place so it might be difficult for you to even see the spring. But if it is where I think it should be it might be visible through on of the holes in the tailgate. I could not tell from your photos.



[IMG]local://upfiles/3277/20ED44C3095A4BB1AEA11B77B5351C48.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/3277/3A3FACA8ED414B31A35482C51DD77458.jpg[/IMG]

RE: Blazer/Jimmy tailgate latch control
 

[sm=oopssign.gif]
I think I have alshiemers and I"ve lost half my brain. I just re-read your post about your 1990, I'm taking pics of my 1987..oops, but it still might help. Let me try again. I circled something on your pic that I dont see on my truck, then I took another picture of mine and tried to edit to show where the rods go.I dont see a spring at all on my pics or yours. I dont know if I'm helping or just adding to your frustration, but I am trying. My next step will be to remove the lever that the rods hook up to. I have a haynes manual that is no help at all.
I put my pic and yours up at the same time side by side for a comparasin

[IMG]local://upfiles/2910/DA1B5D6F0328411AB1E9191EE7FA8A76.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/2910/72203261E13147BFB01774C8D6CFDEB9.jpg[/IMG]

RE: Blazer/Jimmy tailgate latch control
 

The thing you circled in my photo is something for the window stop.

You might need to try to look under the latch control to see the spring. If you cannot find it that is not problem, I do appreciate you trying to help. I too have a Haynes manual and it does not show it in any detail. I will be going to the junkyard again this weekend and hope to find another Blazer/Jimmy with the latch control.

I have no question as to where the rods connect so don't worry about disassembling yours.

I also remembered that the 3 small holes around the tailgate handle were for the tailgate panel bolts. I originally thought that the center on directly beneath the handle was for one end of the spring. Doh!

Thanks again for trying to help.

RE: Blazer/Jimmy tailgate latch control
 

You'll probably figure it out before I do. I don't have the time right now as I'm working an 11 day shift. I still havent seen a spring, although I can see behind the latch because my rear window is tinted and acts like a mirror. That also makes it hard to try and take a pic.
If I had the time and energy I would take this apart. It helps me too, 'cause evry time I take something apart, it gets lubricated.
Post when you get it fixed 'cause I'm curious.

RE: Blazer/Jimmy tailgate latch control
 

I figured it out!

I found out that the original way that I had the spring hooked up was the proper way. At least it worked and did not bind up on any part of the latch control assembly. I tried it again the first way and readjusted the tension on the latch rods and it works great. Turns out all it really needed was an adjustment. The spring was originally binding on the assenbly arms because the adjustment was so off. The handle rod travel before undoing the latched was so much that it as stretching out the spring and it would catch on the handle rod and one of the mounting bolts. After the adjustment the spring has a much smaller stretch and the assembley returns to its normal position easily.

I have attached a couple of photos showing the positioning of the spring and the latch control in place.

This first photo is showing the position of the straight end of the spring protruding through the inner tailgate panel. It also shows the latch rod adjustment bolt. Be careful when loosening this bolt to make an adjustment. It is a righty (clockwise to loosen)! Found this out the hard way. Fortunately my old latch control assembly had a good bolt since I snapped the other one trying to turn it counter-clockwise. [:@]
[IMG]local://upfiles/3277/9DB8B53996534476918BF209B50D82EF.jpg[/IMG]

This next photo shows the underside of the latch control assembly. I have noted the C notch on one of the arms. This is where the other end the spring connects.
[IMG]local://upfiles/3277/692A7ACB6DCD48DBA58FAEF96BD61F78.jpg[/IMG]

This last photo shows the spring installed.
[IMG]local://upfiles/3277/8A188D6A3A304422B78427EB278BA453.jpg[/IMG]

I appreciate all of your help on this problem! Thanks.

RE: Blazer/Jimmy tailgate latch control
 

Good job! Sorry I couldn't help more. Sometimes the simplest of problems can be the most baffling, but when you fix it yourself it feels great.
Thanks for posting your repair.