2017 3rd Gen Tail Gate "Soft Open" Repair

Over the Fathers day weekend camping trip I kept hearing my tail gate slamming down when the wife and kids were monkeying around my truck.

Googled it today and all the results I found led to replacing the bushing on the right rear hinge. Called the local dealer and they had it in stock. P/N 6614304021.

Installed the bushing by slightly raising the tail gate (from the lowered position) than you can pull the tail gate out of the right side hinge. Replacement is simply releasing the tab, shimmy it out and pop in the new unit.

Well, it didn't fix the problem.

Make a long story short, the Tail gate hinge actually has a dampener that is filled with hydraulic fluid. Mine was leaking.

P/N 6728904010

Remove the bumper. (Don't forget to unplug your Trailer Plug and Rear Camera Plug located behind the bumper.)

After all the bolts are removed there are 2 positioning pins. Shine a flash light up there and you'll see what movement you need to make in order for it to release. This is a royal pain but it'll come off.

Then remove the 3 black plastic tabs that secure a black protective cover and you'll have access to the dampener.

It's held in with one nut.

I wasn't sure if I was suppose to pre-tension it so I gambled and just stuck it on the same way the old unit came off and it works great.

Just thought I'd share this in case anyone is trying to figure it out.

 

interesting