To remove the top cap of the tailgate, remove the three screws. Then with the tailgate open, use a rubber hammer (or a regular hammer and block of wood) to gently knock the cap toward the passenger side of the truck. After it moves just an inch or two, it should release from all the gripper pins and come off. To remove the plastic gripper pins from the tailgate, rotate them 45 degrees in any direction. That will align the barbs with the square corners of the holes and they will pull right out without the need to use a tool. You will need to remove all the gripper pins from the tailgate so that they can be put back in place in the top cap prior to reassembly. Also, white lithium grease would be a much better choice as a lubricant over WD-40. WD-40 is NOT a good long term lubricant. It will eventually dry out leaving a gummy residue which causes mechanisms to stick, not slide easily.
I just wanted to say how great your video is! I have had this problem for a couple of years. It would work and then stop working off and on. I took it apart greased everything and still no luck. Just like in the beginning of your video. When you closed the door I said, watch his will work and that’s not what’s causing my problem. But yours didn’t. I knew it had something to do with the latch but I couldn’t figure out how the mechanism in the center worked. Then when you said the green piece should be moving and you moved the rod back and forth that was it! WD40 the hell out of it and now it works great. Thank goodness for you tube and for the fact that you uploaded your video. Saved me a lot of money instead of having a mechanic troubleshoot and charge me for something so simple. Once again thank you.
Ive had my truck for 6 years and I can't wait to do this to the tailgate and finally be able to swing it out!!! I use the trunk ALL the time and it will be great to NOT have to reach over the tailgate. THANK YOU!!! LIKED and SUBSCRIBED!
Adding the screw/nut as an adjuster did the trick. Don’t break off the body clips like I did on the tailgate cover! The cover slides right and poops off easily.
Just did mine and it worked like a charm. Had to go buy the bolt and nut for the green arm, then added the two zip ties and we were back in business. If I'd had the bolt and nut here, total elapsed time would have been about 15 minutes tops. Easy repair. Thank you for the video.
Yeah Video was OK, until you have to remove the top cap of the trail gate. Would have been much better had the method for releasing the plastic clips that hold the top cap of the tailgate in place had been included.......... That was the difficult part! Broke 8 of them trying to figure out how to pop the plastic Gripper Pins. Here Is How: Once the T-40's & screws are removed, lift & close gate. Start from either the outside left or right of the tail gate by pushing a Trim "Wedge" Tool in between the metal and plastic top cap > Look for 1st White plastic pin. > There are 2 rows of Gripper pins, 1 on the inside & 1 on the outside of the gate and they are approx. 4" part, which only provides a very small gap to work with. Moving the Top cap will help to release the pins. **Note: Best to use the proper Panel Trim Tools to prevent damaging the paint. Gripper Pins have a barb on each side that locks into the tailgate. Both Barbs need to be pinched or compressed against the shaft of the pin to release it. Best use the slimmest flat trim tool with V-shaped Groove you have or similar.**
Handle would click, but not release for swing operation. The pink rod end ( between pink cable & red rod end) releases the top righthand latch. Thats the one that was hanging, that needed to release. Bent the rod (to shorten) and lubbed the latch, and main mechanism. 2009, 125k miles
I have the same problem on my 2019. I installed the lock kit, and 2 weeks later, the swinging function stopped. I thought it was related to the lock kit, but it's not. That green rod isn't moving enough, and I think something on the bottom side of the apparatus has popped out and is not engaging. Shortening the cable or lengthening the rods won't work. That little white plastic slider just isn't moving far enough, and I can see how what you did might make the parts work, but the question is why does it stop working suddenly, in the first place. Something else is wrong that we can't see.
I did not see the step where you got the tailgate open when it is stuck shut and will not open. What is the trick to get it open so that you can check or replace the latch assembly?
Honda knows this is a design flaw but does nothing for their customers. After the fiasco with the Takata airbag issue for both our Hondas, I won't buy any more of their products.
To remove the top cap of the tailgate, remove the three screws. Then with the tailgate open, use a rubber hammer (or a regular hammer and block of wood) to gently knock the cap toward the passenger side of the truck. After it moves just an inch or two, it should release from all the gripper pins and come off. To remove the plastic gripper pins from the tailgate, rotate them 45 degrees in any direction. That will align the barbs with the square corners of the holes and they will pull right out without the need to use a tool. You will need to remove all the gripper pins from the tailgate so that they can be put back in place in the top cap prior to reassembly. Also, white lithium grease would be a much better choice as a lubricant over WD-40. WD-40 is NOT a good long term lubricant. It will eventually dry out leaving a gummy residue which causes mechanisms to stick, not slide easily.
I just wanted to say how great your video is! I have had this problem for a couple of years. It would work and then stop working off and on. I took it apart greased everything and still no luck. Just like in the beginning of your video. When you closed the door I said, watch his will work and that’s not what’s causing my problem. But yours didn’t. I knew it had something to do with the latch but I couldn’t figure out how the mechanism in the center worked. Then when you said the green piece should be moving and you moved the rod back and forth that was it! WD40 the hell out of it and now it works great. Thank goodness for you tube and for the fact that you uploaded your video. Saved me a lot of money instead of having a mechanic troubleshoot and charge me for something so simple. Once again thank you.
Ive had my truck for 6 years and I can't wait to do this to the tailgate and finally be able to swing it out!!! I use the trunk ALL the time and it will be great to NOT have to reach over the tailgate. THANK YOU!!! LIKED and SUBSCRIBED!
Helped me out saved me time knowing what it looks like inside the door. Great video
Adding the screw/nut as an adjuster did the trick. Don’t break off the body clips like I did on the tailgate cover! The cover slides right and poops off easily.
Just did mine and it worked like a charm. Had to go buy the bolt and nut for the green arm, then added the two zip ties and we were back in business. If I'd had the bolt and nut here, total elapsed time would have been about 15 minutes tops. Easy repair. Thank you for the video.
Mine has the same problem, you have provided the solution. Muchas gracias.
Thank you for creating this video. I had the same problem. Fixed it in less than 30 after watching this video.
Thanks, I have been battling the door for quite a while. Great Fix! and cheap, even better
I have the same problem, thanks for the video. Big Help.
Thank you very much, I know with your video I will repair my Ridgeline tailgate.
Thank you. My tailgate once again functions.
The zip tie upgrade!!
Thank you for the video. It helps me out.
+Tran imal Awesome!
Yeah Video was OK, until you have to remove the top cap of the trail gate. Would have been much better had the method for releasing the plastic clips that hold the top cap of the tailgate in place had been included.......... That was the difficult part! Broke 8 of them trying to figure out how to pop the plastic Gripper Pins.
Here Is How: Once the T-40's & screws are removed, lift & close gate. Start from either the outside left or right of the tail gate by pushing a Trim "Wedge" Tool in between the metal and plastic top cap > Look for 1st White plastic pin. > There are 2 rows of Gripper pins, 1 on the inside & 1 on the outside of the gate and they are approx. 4" part, which only provides a very small gap to work with. Moving the Top cap will help to release the pins.
**Note: Best to use the proper Panel Trim Tools to prevent damaging the paint. Gripper Pins have a barb on each side that locks into the tailgate. Both Barbs need to be pinched or compressed against the shaft of the pin to release it. Best use the slimmest flat trim tool with V-shaped Groove you have or similar.**
Handle would click, but not release for swing operation. The pink rod end ( between pink cable & red rod end) releases the top righthand latch. Thats the one that was hanging, that needed to release. Bent the rod (to shorten) and lubbed the latch, and main mechanism. 2009, 125k miles
Appreciate the Help!
I have the same problem on my 2019. I installed the lock kit, and 2 weeks later, the swinging function stopped. I thought it was related to the lock kit, but it's not. That green rod isn't moving enough, and I think something on the bottom side of the apparatus has popped out and is not engaging. Shortening the cable or lengthening the rods won't work. That little white plastic slider just isn't moving far enough, and I can see how what you did might make the parts work, but the question is why does it stop working suddenly, in the first place. Something else is wrong that we can't see.
I did not see the step where you got the tailgate open when it is stuck shut and will not open. What is the trick to get it open so that you can check or replace the latch assembly?
How did you get the top of the tailgate off - you skipped that part - just getting the screws out doesn't release it
any answer on this one? I am afraid to just pry it off?
@@jeanetteo4125 slides off toward pass side
Thanks
Brooo THANKSSS
WD40 is not a lubricant, so use it for cleaning and use another high quality lubricant. My personal preference is Sea Foam.
Didn't show exactly how to remove the top piece. Why not?
Honda knows this is a design flaw but does nothing for their customers. After the fiasco with the Takata airbag issue for both our Hondas, I won't buy any more of their products.
Shame on Honda paid 50k an we get plastic on every day moving parts🧌🧟🤱🏻