The tailgate cable broke on the left side of my Ram. How can I take it off & replace it?

 

It just pops off the bed and has a bolt that holds it to the tailgate.
You can get it at Advance or O'Reilleys.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...tailgate+cable

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Tailgate-Support-Cable-Motormite_89012446-P_744_R|GRP60004_1080638389___

 

Well, I already bought the cable, Im just having trouble taking off the old one. Cuz of that bolt thing that keeps it on.

 

Use penetrating fluid. CRC Knock'er Loose, AeroKroil and Cyclo Breakaway are the best. If you don't have any of those available then liquid wrench will work, PB Blaster won't (not very well anyway).
Don't use much and hold a paper towel under the bolt so you don't get the fluid on the paint because it can (probably will) eat it.

That's about all I can tell ya.

 

It should just pop right off. If you dont feel like buying a new one get one at a junk yard for like $2 or steal it.

 

Steal it? Erm. I don't think advocating that kind of thing is really a good idea.

 

lol I was just kidding

 

the bolt is a big torx, something like T45 or T55. if you don't have a set of those, you can get a set in 3/8 or 1/4 inch drive at any auto parts store for not too much money.

 

You can get the individual socket style torx bits at the parts stores if you don't want to buy a whole set. It is a t-47.
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_3-8%22-Drive-Torx&174;-Bit-Socket-T-47-Gear-Wrench_25984143-P_N3405_T|GRP2057____

 

Reviving an older thread instead of starting a new one...

Just want to confirm a part number on the tailgate cable. I know, I know... seems simple enough.

Went to a parts store on the weekend and picked up 2 tailgate cables to replace mine that did an Olympics worthy simultaneous snap in the winter. They gave me "Help! Dorman 38522 Dodge RAM Trucks 2002-94" (ignore the fact that something says 2002-94 instead of the other way around... just kind of annoys me).

I tossed them on... but the tailgate doesn't go level. The cable is too short. I noticed the one in the link on the FIRST page is a different number. So... assuming mine are labelled for our trucks, but not built for our trucks?

Also, I tossed these on and I noticed that the part that connects to the bed with the small metal tong likes to slide out along the bolt it connects to (stud I guess really) and thus impede the tailgate closing. Anyone else run into this?

Thanks,
InfO.