Pop and Lock Tailgate Issue

I installed the OG pop and lock tailgate lock almost immediately when I got my 2019 limited in April 2019.
It worked flawlessly until about a month ago. It made a crunching sound when activated but wasn't moving. Clearly the gears inside had broken.

I reached out to Pop and Lock and got a replacement actuator.
I just installed it and the actuator itself is working.
However, it's not able to fully lock the tailgate. It has no problem unlocking.
But when it locks, it moves the lock about 75% of the way to locked, but it's still unlocked.
The lock mechanism is well lubed and moves freely.
I'll upload a video in a bit, but the bracket and actuator flexes past that 75% mark.
Has anyone encountered this?
Want to do some more troubleshooting before reaching back out to Pop and Lock.
Might end up having to upgrade to the new HD version which integrates the actuator and bracket into one piece.

 

I've had a Pop & Lock on my 2003 Dodge Ram tailgate for about 15 years. When it is working it is great. Unfortunately I've had to replace the actuator twice, and now the latest replacement is no longer functioning.

I'm probably not going to fix it again and will either put in a manual key lock or just leave it unlocked. I have a topper that I can lock securely so that is probably adequate.

Bottom line is the Pop & Lock is a nifty idea. However, this actuator design seems not ready for prime time, so I have not purchased one for my 2020 Tundra.

 

I had an issue with mine for a while. If it’s not perfectly straight straight up and down, it won’t function properly.
Wish I took pictures, but check out my response in this thread.https://www.tundras.com/threads/tailgate-wont-unlock-using-remote.44050/#post-1129619

 

Try a generic actuator from Amazon. I bought 2 of them and I'm still on the first one - install was about 6 years ago.

 

Went through this last week, tailgate was not locking. Making normal clunking sound when lock button pressed. Took panel off and noticed it only travels about 75%. Operated by hand after using PB Blaster on grease and making a mess. Finally freed it up enough for it to slap the mechanism past the break over point and it has been working fine since.

Short story use a thinner lubricant, actuator barely does the job.