How To - 1999 - 2002 Silverado Tail Gate Handle Clip Replacement

[Alljackedup408]

Ok, this thread will explain and show how to replace the clip that holds one of the tail gate rods to the handle! When this little clip breaks, your tail gate will NOT open. Its an easy repair.. and not that expensive. The clip is $8.00 from the local dealership. If the clip on the left breaks, its red, if its the clip on the right its green. Make sure you know which one is broken before going to the dealership!

What you will need -

Long skinny flat head screw driver
13 MM socket
3/8th's Ratchet
A Brain

Ok... here we go.

Go Ahead and carefully place the screw driver between the sheet metal and the tail gate handle bezel. After sliding it in a ways, twist the screw driver either way, and the bezel will pop loose at the top.

Now before you go any farther with the bezel, take the 13mm socket and ratchet and take off the 3 bolts on the back side of the tail gate, dont worry, the handle wont fall out or down or anything. You have to do this so you can work off the bezel, at least in my case since i have the stick on chrome pieces, you may not have to with the regular black pieces.

Now just go ahead and work the bezel off around the handle, the bezel only has 2 clips, and they are at the top... be careful when removing the bezel, if you break those tabs, youll have to replace it, and its like 50 bucks for the stupid piece.

Below is the clip that holds the rod to the handle, which is broken. To remove the old clip, just pull down on it... it will come loose, and swing around, and pull it off the rod

Heres the new clip.

Here is the old clip and the new clip next to each other, if you notice the older clip, the nipple part of the clip is gone, these break and is very common to fail on these trucks, they just get old and used.

Now its time to put the new clip in!! Go ahead, and push it into the handle mechanism. It should go in fairly easy, but give it a bit of a push.

Next, pick up the tail gate rod and push it into the clip.

Now swing the clip to the right, and push it onto the tail gate rod, it is a bit difficult to push it on.. but dont worry, its normal.

OK, that parts finished!! Go ahead, and put the bezel back on, and then put the 3 bolts back in the handle and tighten them down. Your tailgate should now work!!

 

[Draenor]

I pick my clips up at the JY. I call them, fuses, nuts and bolts, my dollar reimbursement fee.

 

[daddy]

Thanks for the write-up.

 

[Alljackedup408]

I pick my clips up at the JY. I call them, fuses, nuts and bolts, my dollar reimbursement fee.

yeah i get everything from the junk yard if possible.. but with this plastic clip... its better to just get a new one... never know how much the other clips were used and worn.. ill just spend the money and be done with it lol.

 

[Nick The Great]

I had to do this on my 99 a few years ago. This write up would have been helpful!

 

[elcompaLalo]

Detailed and lots of pics included, can't make em an easier! Great job.

 

[Draenor]

Detailed and lots of pics included, can't make em an easier! Great job.

Brian could come out and do it for you.

 

[Kyles03]

Nice write up!!


MY same clip broke, so i just used a zip tie instead Its held up perfectly.

 

[Alljackedup408]

Nice write up!!


MY same clip broke, so i just used a zip tie instead Its held up perfectly.

I thought about doing that... But i figured id do it the right way... and just do this. Plus it makes for a nice write up in here. When the other side goes... ill be zip tieing that one.. hahah.

 

[Kyles03]

Nice write up!!


MY same clip broke, so i just used a zip tie instead Its held up perfectly.

I thought about doing that... But i figured id do it the right way... and just do this. Plus it makes for a nice write up in here. When the other side goes... ill be zip tieing that one.. hahah.

Yeah the stealership I went to said I had to buy the whole handle assembly, even though I just needed the clip. So I said screw it and just zip tied it.