Tailgate check aka. Retaining arm

[easymoneybobby]

Anyone having issues with the tailgate check? Mine was fine until I put 35’s on the carrier. Now, when I open teh tailgate, especially off-camber, the retaining arm pops out and inhibits the tailgate from closing. It does not appear to be strong enough to “retain or restrain the tailgate.” I have already replaced it once and am looking for an alternative…Thoughts?

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[jax501]

I’ve also heard that arm called: “detent assembly”.
Mine could also use a stronger solution.
Here’s a new one, but I need stronger one:

https://www.extremeterrain.com/jeep-wrangler-tailgate-retainer-strap-1181702.html

 

[cafecito820]

Did you install a reinforcement bracket or anything where you would have loosened the outside hinge bolts? Apart from changing the swing arc of the tailgate significantly, there's no reason the factory one should fail. Is your checkstrap still attached too?

 

[easymoneybobby]

Great question. I replaced stock hinge with a TerraFlex HD. I realigned the tailgate and torqued all backdown. The tailgate swings and opens, but, if off-camber, the “check-strap” pops out and wont go back in. My solution…removed the retainer arm, installed short cable to “stop” tailgate.

 

[BDinTX]

Keep in mind there are wires for the camera, brake, and door locks inside that nylon webbing strap thing. I think it’s there more to protect the wires than act as a backup to the detent arm. I’d try to avoid letting the swing gate pull too hard on it.

@easymoneybobby did you use the new detent arm that came with the Teraflex hinges?

 

[cafecito820]

Great question. I replaced stock hinge with a TerraFlex HD. I realigned the tailgate and torqued all backdown. The tailgate swings and opens, but, if off-camber, the “check-strap” pops out and wont go back in. My solution…removed the retainer arm, installed short cable to “stop” tailgate.

Oh dude, the Teraflex carrier has a separate swing arm that comes with it (assuming you mean the Alpha HD Carrier):



We have that same carrier on ours, and yea the factory swing arm does not work with it. Teraflex customer service is great if you need one.

 

[Upnover]

Need some help. Swapped over my hinge to a new Jeep. But the swing army isn’t long enough and the tailgate only opens to about 70•. I am not sure what the deal is as the tailgate closes nicely. The Teraflex detent is the same length as the stock one.

 

[Sublime]

Need some help. Swapped over my hinge to a new Jeep. But the swing army isn’t long enough and the tailgate only opens to about 70•. I am not sure what the deal is as the tailgate closes nicely. The Teraflex detent is the same length as the stock one.

It is not the same. Did you buy it new?

 

[Upnover]

It is not the same. Did you buy it new?

I was a dumbass and got it to work.

 

[Cstevens7]

Check to see if the tub side of the assembly (the side with the rollers) is adjustable.
I also have the Teraflex HD carrier (holding an 37” tire). Also had the exact same problem you are describing.
Long story short, my tailgate retainer “got broken” while at my dealer. I spoke to the service advisor and his manager about it. After some discussion, I told the manager I had sourced the replacement arm from Teraflex. They offered to install it and detail my jeep to make things right.
They installed it and I haven’t had any issues with it pulling out of the detent rollers. It feels solid, and tight. It even holds at the first and second detent. I can only assume there may be some sort of adjustment on the (tub side) rollers that would compensate for the new arc in the retaining arm.
Just my 2 cents…. Hope this helps.

 

[Terrymo]

I was a dumbass and got it to work.

Great. Let us know what the solution was. It will help someone in the future here.

 

[Upnover]

Great. Let us know what the solution was. It will help someone in the future here.

I just installed it to see what would happen and it worked fine. Lol. I don’t know if being a little thinner than the stock one in width helped it out. But I can open fully with no issues.

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