Slack on left tailgate cable

Recently saw there was slack in the left (driver side) tailgate cable. The cable was bent at some point and I think it was rusted on the inside.

Thinking this was the problem, I bought 2 OEM tailgate cables and to my surprise, after installing them, the left cable still has some slack.

I did notice that the bolt where the right (passenger side) cable attaches to the tailgate was very loose before I changed the cables and after installing the new cable, I couldn't tighten it too much because the cable won't move.

I'm thinking maybe it bent the thread on the tailgate when it was loose; and maybe that side hangs a little bit lower that creates the slack on the driver's side.

Any other ideas?

 

Since no one else has responded in any way -- I'll be a Taco owner to say that I just realized my 21 SR5 has the same issue! I noticed my left side cable has slack, but the right side essentially holds up the tailgate. We'll wait on some insight together...

 

At least we're not alone

 

To rule out a new part problem, you could try swapping them, right to left & left to right, see what happens

 

I also noticed it on my truck the driver side at tailgate strap has some slack in it. While the right side is taught, it's not a pressing issue. So when I take my truck in for the 20k complimentary service, I'll just ask them about it then. I don't think the threads within the tailgate are messed up . I think it just might be the the pen that the tailgate cable attaches to on the bed side has bent down a bit

 

I have the same issue I removed the bolt holding the cable on the tailgate to check the threads and the threads are fine , I think it just might be the cable it's self