Tailgate help

The tailgate on my 2007 is hard to open and close. It goes down halfway and then I have to push on it hard to go the rest of the way. It takes a lot of strength to get it to close back up completely. I know there are shocks/assist but can I just spray some lubrication oil, spray, or good ole WD40 to help loosen it up? Thanks!!

 

Maybe something is bent? You'll just have to inspect it. But replacing the strut is necessary at this age and makes a big difference in tailgate function. It's $15 and takes about 10 minutes. It's inside the driver's side taillight.

https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/2007/toyota/tundra/body_mechanical_-ar-_trim/tailgate_strut.html

 

The strut only prevents the tailgate from "falling" open. But agree that there's something bent, most likely at the hinges or there is debris stuck in the gap between the tailgate and bed that makes it hard to close.

 

Have you ever taken it off? Just unhook the cables and rotate. It comes out the RH side first
IIRC, slides over post on LH side. That way you can see of maybe the pivot points are crammed with gravel and crap or maybe one of them has been dented.