Repair And Fix it

Some Chevy S-10 pickup trucks have problems with the tailgates. The tailgate cables ensure the tailgate stays at the correct level when it is in the down position. Weak cables may result in personal injury and damage to the truck.

History

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration completed a defect investigation (EA05008) which details that owners of select Chevy S-10 trucks are authorized to have the cables replaced free of charge. The investigation also recommended that owners of Chevy S-10 trucks periodically inspect the cables for signs of wear and tear.

Warning

Cables that are worn or frayed can break unexpectedly. Moisture interacting with the cable reduces the strength of the cable. When the cable breaks, the tailgate can come down and hit the bumper. This can damage the bumper and tailgate cosmetically. A person may be injured if he is near or on the tailgate when the cable breaks.

Recommendation

Cables that appear to be worn, frayed or bulging should be brought to the attention of General Motors. A trained technician will be able to determine if the cables need to be replaced. Cables may be replaced free of charge if they are included in a warranty, safety notice or recall.

A properly working door handle makes for an important part of your Chevy S-10 if you do not want to get into your truck like a "Dukes of Hazzard" television star. The metal used to manufacturer the brackets on the door handle, known as "pop steel," is a relatively soft metal usually used on low-wear items. Over time, however, the brackets can become weak and eventually break.

Instructions

1

Open the door, and remove the screws that secure the inner door panel to the sheet metal on the inner door with a screwdriver.

2

Pull on the upper left corner of the door to loosen the door panel from the sheet metal. Small plastic tabs connect the door panel with the sheet metal about every 10 inches. As you pull on the panel, pull the tabs out of the sheet metal.

3

Locate the back of the door handle by looking through the upper holes in the sheet metal. On the left side of the door handle, youll see a long bar connected to a piece of metal on the side of the handle. The bar moves when you lift up on the handle and opens the door latch.

4

Remove the metal bar from the left side of the handle by pulling the bar to the left. (The bar is not attached with bolts.)

5

Lift up on the handle from the outside door, and remove the two bolts located under the handle with wrenches. The bolts secure the handle to the sheet metal on the outside of the door.

6

Pull the handle out of the door.