Tailgate Spare Tire Latch

[ScottBarnes]

I removed the Spare Tire Latch on my tail gate and I guess the genius engineers at Ford decided it was too much trouble to have permanent nuts on the inside. So whatever was on the backside of the attaching bolts are in Narnia. What's the secret to getting to these things so I can put the bolts back in to fill the holes, and not have stuff rattling around in my tailgate?

[landshark]

You will need to take the handle assembly off and reach in there and reposition it to screw back in. You could also just pull it out and put some rubber grommets in the holes painted white?

[mickphatmac]

Aaaaaaannnddd... You are probably going to take the tailgate off and turn it upside down to use gravity so that little booger falls out of the handle/latch hole....Maybey you can use a stick while the tailgate is down to maneuver it to the hole??? Good luck!

[ScottBarnes]

Well, that was fun[emoji22]. Any tips on how to hold this monster back in there to put the bolts back in? Wish I had a trained lizard right about now!

[mickphatmac]

Tailgate down, put it in the grove and slide it over until the holes match up...Cross your fingers.
I think I used a hole punch on the 1 I wasn't working on so if it slid a little bit, at least it wasn't lost...again!

[ScottBarnes]

Unless someone has a better idea, I think I’m going to go buy a cheap pair of long forceps like these and cut one the thumb holds off, which should allow me to reach inside. Also going to put some adhesive on the face that meets the inside of the tailgate so the next guy won’t have to deal with this nonsense.

[ScottBarnes]

Tailgate down, put it in the grove and slide it over until the holes match up...Cross your fingers.
I think I used a hole punch on the 1 I wasn't working on so if it slid a little bit, at least it wasn't lost...again!

I didn’t see this before I had my idea - yours sounds good - I’ll give it a shot before I make a Cabelas run. Thx!

[mickphatmac]

Please put me Down for DIBS on being the "Next Guy"

[ScottBarnes]

Ok - custom tool worked like a boss! Cabela’s $5.99! Lol Cut off a piece so it would sit flush, added a bunch of silicone for bonding and it went right in. Now just need to see if some rubbing compound can help with a few of the marks.

[B.O.B.]

A little late on the subject but used a telescoping pen magnet to retrieve/relocate mine.

[ScottBarnes]

A little late on the subject but used a telescoping pen magnet to retrieve/relocate mine.

Thanks -- I tried that, but mine wouldn't hold that backing plate. It was sort of wedged in the where the inside of the tailgate sort of comes to a "V". Ended up using a coat hanger to get it out, which worked pretty good.