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57 wagon tailgate problems

3345 Views 10 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  Carmine2, 
5
hi, I was wondering if any-one could tell me how to fix my tailgate, the retractable straps that pull the cable back in are broken . I can not locate where these retractable parts sit in the car i think they are above the rear wheel. but i can not get to them. does anyone have any ideas.
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pistoncan
There are two parts to your cables, The retractors, which look and act sorta like a big tape measure, and the cables, You access the retractors by removing a rectangular plate located right where the rear seat latch back to the wheel wells. The cables attach to the retractors, then fish back over the wheel wells to the tailgate.
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Wedwagon
I have to replace the retractor the, glad I read this post.....Thanks Pistoncan for the retractor location.....

David
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sshamu
tailgate mod

The actual retractors are just forward of the back seat latch you mentioned. If you were seated in the back seat and put your arm out the side window (Nomad), the retractor is located just below where your elbow would be. I just removed one of mine (rusted shut) and that's where I found mine.

I'm about to order new retractors and cables for my project too but I'm wondering if there is a better solution for this old technology.

Has anyone considered modifying the tailgate to accomodate the tailgate straps similar to a pickup truck tailgate? If so, I'd like to learn more details. Below is a picture to illustrate what I'm thinking.


There certainly is enough room on both sides to handle this modification. Thoughts anyone??
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pistoncan
Seems like a step backwards in technology to me. I grant that the retractors and cables are a little involved but I would prefer that to folding tailgate cable.
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bighunter6969
same as truck

:tuhmm i was thinking the same i have extra 1959 elcamino latches and put them up to area for my wagon they will work with little effort im definitly converting!!!!
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hatesuserid
Wagon tailgate

Hi, when I replaced by tailgate cables and related items I thought that chevy engineers had lost there minds when they devised this system. I went ahead and replaced them anyway. As a side note, there are guide posts for the cables towards the end of the quarter that you must make sure to get threaded thru or the installation will be a problem! There have been posts on this site that goes into this in more detail. The earlier wagons in 53, 54 were more like the pick-up tailgate pictured and work very simply. But------part of the real difference (charm) the tri five wagons have is the cables and reals. I'm glad I retained them now. Thanks, Steve
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Chrome Lugnut
This Is for 55 but the set up the same. Should be access panel on inside you can take off.

1955 Fisher Service News - Body Information Station Wagons & Sedan Delivery
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/bulletins/55fsn050849.htm
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rj57
Chrome Lugnut said:
This Is for 55 but the set up the same. Should be access panel on inside you can take off.

1955 Fisher Service News - Body Information Station Wagons & Sedan Delivery
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/bulletins/55fsn050849.htm
Click to expand...
SEDAN DELIVERY? They don't have retractable cables on the rear door.

Hi, when I replaced by tailgate cables and related items I thought that chevy engineers had lost there minds when they devised this system. I went ahead and replaced them anyway. As a side note, there are guide posts for the cables towards the end of the quarter that you must make sure to get threaded thru or the installation will be a problem! There have been posts on this site that goes into this in more detail. The earlier wagons in 53, 54 were more like the pick-up tailgate pictured and work very simply. But------part of the real difference (charm) the tri five wagons have is the cables and reals. I'm glad I retained them now. Thanks, Steve
Click to expand...
Steve is correct about these guide/fingers up in the quarter panels. You can access them by laying on your garage floor and reaching up in the quarters behind the rear wheel house.
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devveldogg
Whats the max weight the cables will hold?
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C
This is all very good information. If you want, go to the trifive nomad section and do a search on this issue. Alot of good info there too. I used them in putting my '56 tailgate together.
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