help: tailgate latch, bushing?

[BerniniCaCO3]

Hi!

So there aren't any workable bushings for sale in the parts stores for my wagon tailgate.
Someone else had the brilliant suggestion of wrapping electrical tape. Firm, and you can make it *just* the right size.

On the tailgate I'm still having trouble, though.
It seems to close, but, I cannot lock it.
Right now I've got the post/striker out as far as it can go, which as it happens, was the position it started in.

Previously the lock actuator itself was frozen. I simply removed it, and then oiled every part of the latch mechanism while I had the plastic panel off.
So, probably, the latch itself is performing fine now. Why won't it secure around the striker?
Is my tape too thick? (I tried to match diameters with another original door striker)

[marquisman]

its possible that you got too much tape. good way to check, is with the tailgate open, set the latches in the closed position. then lock the tailgate. now try to pull the handle. if the latches click open, you have an issue with a latch. if you pull on the handle and the latches remain closed/locked, you need to adjust the strikers. or in your case, adjust the tape. it takes some time to get it right where you need it. thing is, if your tape is too much/thick, the latch wont close all the way. this will keep the lock lever from going to full lock position. and it dont take much. if you look inside the bottom latch, you will see that the "lock tab", moves very little. thats why its important that the latches are sync'd together, via the strikers. hope i dident confuse you too much lol.