How to Replace Tailgate Handle Bezel 1988-2000 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 your vehicle's tailgate handle and bezel assembly.

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Here are the items you'll need for this repair: flat blade screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, 8-13mm sockets, ratchet, socket extension, T40 socket

If your tailgate is stuck closed, remove the bezel by popping it off with a trim tool or a flat blade screwdriver. Ours is missing. All you have to do is these latches usually get a little stretched out, these rods, you just have to pry them over until they release. Remove the six Phillips head screws around the perimeter of the tailgate cover with a Phillips head screwdriver. Now our tailgate liner has two 8mm screws in it. I believe that these are self-tappers that somebody put in here because you can see it's kind of wrinkled up. They probably just did that to help keep it down. If you have some in there, it's not uncommon, just remove them with the appropriate sized socket and ratchet. Ours are 8mm. Remove the two 13mm bolts in the top center of the tailgate cover, do this with a 13mm socket and ratchet, and remove the cover from your tailgate.

Remove the T40 Torx bolt with a T40 Torx socket, ratchet, and extension. You may want to hold the handle in place while you do this. Pop up the plastic clips on the latch rods. You may need a small flat blade screwdriver for this, but ours are moving fairly easily. Should just be able to do them by hand. Then pull the latch rod straight back out of the clip, same thing on the other side, and remove your handle from the tailgate.

Here we have our old tailgate latch that we removed from our truck and our new chrome replacement piece from 1AAuto.com, which also includes a nice new chrome bezel. Our old one is broken off and missing on this vehicle, which is not uncommon of these trucks at all. So in one shot you can replace your old, beat up latch and likely missing bezel with a chrome piece that's going to really enhance the look of your ride. So if you have an old, broken, missing, or damaged latch or just want to get a nice new look to the back of your vehicle, these new parts from 1AAuto will go in direct fit, just like your original equipment, and fix you up right.

Simply pop the top in. Slide the latch rods into their openings and engage the clips. Slide the handle back into place. Start reinstalling your hardware. Now the top two bolts on our handle went through the plastic tailgate cover. If yours don't, install them now. But since ours do, we'll install the top two bolts just a couple of threads to help keep everything aligned while we tighten down our T40 Torx bolt at the bottom. We'll take the bolts out, so now we know that everything is going to line up, and reinstall our plastic cover.

We'll reinstall our two 13mm bolts. Don't forget the washers if yours has them. We'll tighten down our two 13mm bolts with our 13mm socket and ratchet. We'll then reinstall the six Phillips head screws around the perimeter. We had our self-tapping screws that I'll reinstall as well. Open the handle. Slide the bezel up and around. Simply push all four corners to engage the clips. Close your tailgate and you're good to go.

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