Review on High-Quality Rear Hatch Lift Gate Lock Actuator Motor for Chevorlet Suburban Tahoe GMC Yukon Cadillac Escalade (00-06) by Kyle Merriman

You are most likely reading this because your current latch actuator has failed. If, like some others, you want to avoid premature failure of your new part, read on. This product has failed me after only 8 months of light to moderate use. At first I thought it was just an inferior product compared to the OEM part, like some other reviewers. However, I paused to wonder if it was possible that this part failed for the same reason as the OEM part. Eventually I found the reason. The clue that something was wrong was so obvious, but I slipped it because I thought it was normal. That clue was the level of noise the locking mechanism made during the normal locking and unlocking process. KA-CHUNK, KA-CHUNK! Having owned the car for many years, the noise level increased so gradually that I never paid any attention. Now that the locking mechanism locks and unlocks with a barely audible click, it's clear that something has gone wrong. So what is the reason behind the noisy locking and unlocking? The fact of the matter is that all of the parts involved in locking and unlocking have endured tens of thousands of cycles and many seasons of extreme heat and cold. The lubricant that lubricates all moving parts wears out over time. "So what?" you might say. Having little to no lubricant to lubricate all moving parts increases the force required to engage the latch. This increasing force puts more stress on the plastic gears within the locking drive and eventually wears out the gears and the gear teeth chip and eventually break. Yes. Those are plastic gears (I opened one up) and it sucks, but that's it AND there are enough of them IF all the friction points involved in locking and unlocking are properly lubricated. Also. I personally use Super Lube multipurpose lube. Just a little goes a long way. Maybe I'll post a video on installation and lubrication points in the future. Until then, there are already several assembly videos showing how to remove the panels to reveal the latch and the entire locking mechanism. Once your new latch actuator is installed and the tailgate trims are still removed, manually move the actuator "arm" back and forth to visually identify the friction points and apply some lubricant to the friction points. Also, work with the tailgate latch handle and/or knob while looking at the latch mechanism in the tailgate to find any friction points. Reapply some grease to the friction points while continuing to work on the sunroof latch knob. Move the latch operating lever back and forth to ensure the grease flows over the friction points and do the same with the tailgate latch. and/or button. You will be surprised how quiet the locking mechanism is. With this simple step, your new latch actuator will last for years to come. Hope that helps. I wish you success!