Tailgate cables

[Michael Cole]

I installed a Dee Zee assist on my tailgate and it works great. BUT .... The cable on the drivers side ( Dee Zee side ) was slack and tailgate may have been held by assist. Ordered and replaced cables on both sides and drivers side cable still is slack? Anyone else have this issue. Is this a problem?

 

[FriedDumpling]

I installed a Dee Zee assist on my tailgate and it works great. BUT .... The cable on the drivers side ( Dee Zee side ) was slack and tailgate may have been held by assist. Ordered and replaced cables on both sides and drivers side cable still is slack? Anyone else have this issue. Is this a problem?

How slack was it?


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[Michael Cole]

This is a pic with new cables without the Dee Zee attached. New cables with the Dee Zee attached is the same. Anyone have an idea as to what can cause this. Truck has never been damaged and tailgate gaps are fine. Passenger side is full stretch.

 

[Jrod]

Mine does the same thing, I've driven my JD riding mower onto the bed using ramps on my tailgate and my Dee Zee still works fine.

 

[FriedDumpling]

I’ve just spent the last 30 mins looking at mine.

Mine has a little slack, and I think that is the nature of having the shock installed changing the where the weight falls slightly.

I suspect that the driver side cable remains in case the shock ever pops, your tailgate won’t fall.

The other factor, and I can’t tell from your picture, is that the installation calls for the limiter to be removed. I did not do that, and don’t think it’s necessary, but with it removed the cable might have a little more tug on that side.




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[Michael Cole]

I was wondering why there was no limiter on the drivers side. Although the cable does the same thing with or without the limiter or with or without the shock. Will just live with it.
Thanks for the info.

 

[crash68]

The cable "slack" happens when you remove that limiting bracket while installing the tailgate damper.
There is probably 10s of thousands of this DeeZee of the tailgate assists in use and they're probably all like this.

 

[FriedDumpling]

I have seen on some forums that people have suggested removing the limiter compensates for the slack and pulls the cable a hair tighter.

They’ve also suggested that the movement without the limiter causes a rub on the paint.

I don’t see a good reason to remove the limiter - anyone have thoughts on why to remove?

 

[78Staff]

View attachment 143838 This is a pic with new cables without the Dee Zee attached. New cables with the Dee Zee attached is the same. Anyone have an idea as to what can cause this. Truck has never been damaged and tailgate gaps are fine. Passenger side is full stretch.

Mine is the same except opposite - drivers side is tight, passenger side has a bit of slack. With or without the DZ

 

[FriedDumpling]

To put a finer endpoint on the topic, this morning I called DeeZee.

He told me it’s natural for the driver’s side to be a little more slack once the piston is installed. The piston supports the weight if the tailgate on the driver side, cable becomes a backup safety precaution.

Also, no need to remove the limiter according to the rep I spoke with despite the install instructions and video.




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[Michael Cole]

Well there you go. Thank you.

 

[mpress2570]

Mine has slack on one side without the struts


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[Jamerson]

Check your tailgate bushing on the opposite side. Mine was worn out at only 30k miles. It caused the drivers side cable to have slack. Replaced bushing and both cables are tight now. Ordered from Rockauto - Dorman part# 38713.

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