Minivan tailgate won't latch

[Fatter than Joey]

I have an older mini-van and the tailgate won't latch -- you just slam the tailgate and it thuds and doesn't latch.

 

Is there a fix for this? -- I went to autozone and couldn't find a part

[bullox]

Check the mechanism on the door itself - the 'receiver' for lack of a better word is probably stuck closed. See if you can get it loose. It will most likely be pretty grimy with grease so watch for that.

[Fatter than Joey]

Upon closer inspection -- there is a piece of metal that seems to be yosting the latching procedure -- blocking the opening.

 

OOPS: -- Thanks Bullox -- thats exactly the problem -- how do I loosen it?

[Fatter than Joey]

fixed -- thanks man

[bullox]

No problem, glad I could help.