Unfortunately, GM doesn't put an access panel
on the back of the tailgate so I will have to remove the plastic fascia around the handle and get access that way. Going to wait until Monday in case I break anything. Shot a bunch of oil up into it to see if it loosens things up. May have to get a new latch and install that. Tired of slamming the tailgate to have it fall down when I hit the first bump.
Thanks for the recommendations, at least it got me working on it.