The latch on my '16 RAM 1500 Laramie was stiff, so I tried to remedy that by opening and closing the tail gate a few times, thinking that the hinge was just stiff from lack of use. I did that a few times and now the latch is frozen in place and won't move at all. Tried using the key in he keyhole, but that doesn't help. Any ideas as to HOW I open the tail gate and fix the problem without breaking the handle??

 

Can you get access to the screws/bolts/whatever that hold the handle in? Or get access to the mechanism itself? If you can, drown it with some good penetrating lubricant. (I like PB blaster personally.) WD 40 won't cut it. Once you have it moving, spray it some more, till it moves freely, then hit it with some spray white grease (lithium grease) to make sure it stays functional.

 

the box side of the tailgate should have an access panel retained by torx bolts. get that off and you can access everything.

 

Hi Barbablanca,
We certainly understand why this may be concerning. Before trying to open the tail gate yourself; we kindly recommend having your dealer inspect this concern for you as they are in the best position to assist. If you do work with your dealer, we would be more than happy to provide you with additional support.
Rob
DodgeCares

 

Finally managed to lift the handle and open the tail gate. I don't often access the box, so lack of use could be part of the problem why the tail gate is sometimes difficult to open. Seems to work fine for a few cycles, then needs to have the key fob lock release applied for the latch to release (the factory update re: electronic tail gate lock was just done BTW) Temperatures are around -13 C here right now and I don't have a heated shop to look at the mechanism, so I'll just sit on this until things warm up a bit (hopefully some day when it climbs above freezing)

 

the tailgate recall is just to install a stop block.

the mechanism can stick so remove the cover, blow the dirt out and apply penetrating fluid to the linkages. you can't reach them thru the handle...remove the cover.

 

i am replacing a crashed rear gate with a salvage gate at the body shop where i work.
here is a pic of what the latch looks like on the inside of the gate.
the latch has the power lock and back up camera options.
.you will need to use a T-30 to remove the screws holding on the access cover. the latch is held on by the 2 nuts threaded to the handle studs. to remove the handle i found it easiest to remove 2 T-20 screws holding the back up camera to the handle first.

 

another angle. you need to use some penetrating lube on the pivot holding the bracket with the pink clips on it and the handle body. basically where you can see the spring in the top part of the handle in this pic.

 

what year you working on? if its a 2013 to 2018 it needs the recall. pull the rubber boot back. it should have a black stop block wedged in the white plastic linkage

 

the pics i posted are from a latch out of a 2017 gate.