Tailgate cables are stretched??

I searched an only found one thread with no real conclusion. Have you guys found that the cables stretch? I have an 06 and have loaded many bikes- dirt bikes and dual sports on the bed and this leaves the rear wheel riding on the gate.
I've recently built a bed slide and it when I slides it out it becomes really noticeable how
Much lower the top of the gate is than the bed. About 1.5-2"!? I can order replacement cables no problem and maybe I should anyway but wondered if anyone else has had these issues? Thanks.

 

Are you saying when the tail gate is open it hangs at an angle, or that when the tailgate is closed it sits lower than the sides of the bed?

 

Open hangs at an angle.

 

I haven't measured bit I think mine hangs slightly past 90 degrees as well.

 

strange issue - I cant seems to find new ones anywhere online. I figured for $15 or something Id just replace anyway to see if that changed anything. back ordered everywhere. I wonder if another part number/vehicle cable would work?

 

Amazon sells them by length. Need to know how long a factory cable is.

 

I've looked them up at work and we don't sell them either. Can basically make your own if you had to

 

Bringing an old thread back. Attached is a picture of my tailgate. I think mine have stretched also. I don't think my tailgate is bent. I found supposedly OEM cables on eBay for $10. Anybody found legitimate OEM cables?

 

I recently replaced mine, just cuz they were looking ruff. Got em for like 10$ online. When I did the instal I found that the old ones had stretched a bit. Glad I replaced them, fit perfect. Threw a little clear coat on the help with corrosion.

 

Because of where they are placed on the tailgate, they don't need to stretch much to drop it an inch or two. Even a quarter to half an inch would make for a very noticeable difference.