Tailgate hinge issue

I’m not sure what happened but my tailgate doesn’t open like it used to. I feel like it used to have a smoother, somewhat assisted drop when opening it. On the passenger side the there’s a plastic piece, almost like a sleeve on the hinge that appears to be damaged which I’m guessing is the culprit. Anyone deal with this before and if so what is this piece is called or what is the part number?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tailgate-just-dropped-on-me.843602/page-2


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-replacment-bushing-66143-04020.452351/page-8


https://youtu.be/YOdBHPOmFUI?si=t6FPXxWKgtH8ecAp

 

Thank you!

 

Interesting watch, wouldn't have thought that little piece of plastic is what controlled the soft close. Seems like it should be made of metal lol. Thanks for posting!

 

I think what causes the failure is dirt or debris getting in there.

 

Mine is the opposite. It doesn't CLOSE like it used to. Put the tailgate up, and it only catches on the first part of the latching mechanism, and doesn't fully "lock" into lace. Have to really give it a shove to completely close. Just started happening about a month or two ago. Everything looks fine, but I'm sure someone smart has had this and fixed it.

 

This is what did mine in…. Hurricane debris, tons of dirt and muck