How to Replace Tailgate Cables 1988-99 GMC Sierra K1500

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In this video, we're going to be working with our 1996 GMC Sierra K1500. We're going to show you how to remove and replace the tailgate cables, which often rot out or break, making the tailgates hang too low and not support what they're supposed to. If you like this video, please click Subscribe. We have a ton more information on this truck, as well as many other makes and models. If you need these parts for your vehicle, you can follow the link down in the description over to 1AAuto.com. The only items you'll need for this repair are a T40 Torx socket ratchet and extension and maybe a flat head screwdriver.

Open your tailgate. Lift up on your tailgate slightly. Lift up on the little metal safety here so you can slide the cable forward into the larger opening and pop it out. Remove the T40 Torx for the cable.

Here we have our old tailgate cable that we removed from our truck and our new part from 1AAuto.com. As you can see these parts are exactly the same. We have the same length and the same cable ends. Our new one actually comes with this nice little plastic insulator to help keep the rust and corrosion off of there. These tailgate cables tend to fray and get rusted and eventually break. Or these little safeties break and fall off, meaning that sometimes you'll go to open your tailgate, it will come up, fall loose, your tailgate will open too far, or even worse, drop on you. Fortunately, it only takes one bolt and a few minutes to replace these. You can get a nice new pair of tailgate cables from 1AAuto.com that are going to go in direct fit, just like the original equipment, get your tailgate opening safely and securely, and fix you up right.

Install the T40 Torx bolt at the bottom of the cable. Make sure the hook at the top is facing the correct direction so the tab faces in toward the middle of the truck and will lock back over the stud. This bolt is shouldered so it's going to bottom out before it's completely clamped, so this still has room to move around. Lift up on your tailgate, slide the larger part of the cable over the tab and then lock it into place. If you're replacing these parts as a pair repeat these steps on the opposite side.

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