I've got an 87 Buick LeSabre wagon that has the tailgate that opens like a tailgate or a door. The problem is it won't function as a door but will function as a tailgate. I know when you try to operate it as a door the top latch unlocks but not the bottom latch. The control rod running from the top mechanism to the lower latch came loose at the top latch. There is a kind of sliding clip that retains the rod, which I managed to get back into it's hole, it even snapped in. Figured I was OK, but after opening the door twice it quit working again. Either the clip is bad or the rod is worn or both. Now I can barely get two fingers back to this lock, do I have to take the rear window out to fix this problem? If so has anyone done that before and if so how about of the benefit of your experance, or any tips. I'd really like to learn from other peoples mistakes than have to make them all myself.:banghead3: There's an old saying that there are many more wrong ways to do a thing than right ways, so you have to work your way through all the wrong ways to discover the right way. And of course an expert is someone who's already done it all the wrong ways and has a good memory!! D Berry
I defer to the GM experts, but this may help for talking points with them. Factory manuals and instructions. Main list for all brands of cars: http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/repair_info/repair_guide/repair_guide.jsp Buick Specific page: http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/0b/33/52/0900823d800b3352.jsp Hope that helps to get the giggling pin back into the laughing shaft.
I have the same problem with mine except mine will swing out but not down. I'll tear into mine after I get my truck up and running and see what if I have the same problem. But it sounds like the clip is bad.
I appreciate the responses to my question, but the site on Auto Zone only tells how to remove and replace the tailgate. Guess what I'm really going to have to do is get the window out of it so I can reach in there. There has to be a procedure to get the upper and lower locks in and out of the tailgate or at least move them to a point wher you can work on them. Guess I'll have to just get at it, I'll let you know how it comes out. D Berry
Even my manual doesn't have anything. But usually I find the clip is stretched to the point where it doesn't hold or is broken.
Well it appears that my tailgate fix worked the first time and the reason it wouldn't open correctly was because it was locked! I'm probably still going to have to get the window out because it goes up slooowly, not to bad going down though. Is there some kind of lubricant a guy can use to save a lot of trouble, I don't like working on cars as much as I used to. Dave B
Yeah, Lubriplate on the rod connections and a clear beeswax type grease on the main winder levers - check with a dealer. You don't want a grease that dust will stick too. You can use a silicon spray on the vertical felts in the tracks. I'd check the outside of the winder and door lock motors to see if there's any black Brush dust. The lock is probably a solenoid, so it won't have that brush dust, but it may have graphite dust. Under the dust boot seal, put some lubriplate where the shaft comes out. The brush dust on the motor, if its excessive, means new brushes. Under $10.
