57 Country Squire tailgate stuck

[57pack]

Hello All wagon owners out there. I have a 1957 Ford Country Squire station wagon.
The lower tail gate is stuck, it does partly open then jams. Is there a way to release the side latches? Thinking the adjustment is off and I cannot get it to release enough to open.

[1930artdeco]

If the door unlatches and then moves I don't think it is the latches. It sounds like the hinges are rusted up and need to be lubed. So either spray some lube oil on them from inside when you open the door or you will have to open the door up and remove the central latch mechanism. The latches themselves unscrew from the outside. Hope this helps.

Mike

[abe_lugo]

I would go from the inside and push with your legs

[Ford Blue blood]

Don't push!  The rusty hinges on wagons and Rancheros are infamous.  The bottom of the gate is not very strong.  Forcing the gate will bend the crap out of the bottom! Spray in "nut buster from inside, let it set a day, respray after wobbling it back and forth as much as you can without using force.  You'll need to repeat multiple times to get it to move freely.  I say all this with the assumption the latches release.

[57pack]

Thanks for all the helpful hints!
I've been able to "spring" the gate a little bit then it stops with an audible clink like it's catching on something in the side latches. Is there a way to insert a thin screwdriver or other type of thing device to release the latch?