My latest X5 Mod aka one more solution for X5 rear hatch rattle

[antonnyc]

OMG....I love you guys for helping me get rid of that rattle!!!!!! I couldnt take it anymore....I live in manhattan and there's a pothole every 6 inches so I would hear that rattle all day even over the radio....

I stuck on 7/8" on the door rubber part and at first it said door open. I slammed the door one time and have yet to get the messageo n the dash trunklid open..

Once again thank you! GREAT IDEA!

[Batm4n]

Ah, I checked my bumpstops which were replaced by the dealer because i complained about the noise. It looks like they retrofit the new spring loaded lower bumpers.

Still have the rattling since on put the '87's on for Summer
I guess i'll try to adjust the stops higher.

[jaap]

Hi,

Sorry for my abuse of the English languish. I am a native of the Netherlands.

Unfortunately my X5 had the discussed hatch rattle problem too. I seriously doubtwhether the upper hatch can cause rattles. I simply can’t see how that would be possible. Next to that I believe that adjusting the discussed two upper hatch stoppers outward will cause more outward tension on the lower hatch. This is exactly what you shouldn’t want to do, because that will increase the problem. It’s slack between the lower hatch and the car body that causes rattle. C-S-S pointed at this before:

“The main source of the rattle was movement between the upper and lower gates. I removed the covers to the lower gate striker bolts, closed the lower gate, loosened the bolts, then pushed in firmly at the upper corners of the lower gate while I tightened the bolts. Now the lower gate is seated tight, and the upper gate latches tight against it. All rattles are gone!”

My only remark is that the lower hatch is not the “main source”, but the only source.

[X5Kid]

The felt solution works for me very well and this is very useful information as it fixed my rattle straight away. However I found that the interior lights wouldn't go off until I pressed the middle of the felt down to make them thinner. I suppose the hatch sensor was assuming the door was not closed properly because there are now "aliens" in the way....

[Weasel]

With the latch and bump stops properly adjusted (where they are supposed to be, not too tight or loose) you can also rub a little vasoline on the rubber contact points. I have found this to work as good or better than the felt, and is easily reapplied if it dries after time.

[GmX5]

Originally Posted by Kaefer

I have a stupid question... I hear a rattle, but it sounds as though it is coming from my sunroof. Is this the hatchback rattling? (Again, I know this sounds stupid, but I am just wondering if the sound of the rattle "travel" up the car's ceiling to make it sound as though it is coming from the sunroof.) OR... is there a known issue with the sunroof rattling?

thanks, and great tip Kewl

Juan

I can almost 100% tell you that it is not coming from your sunroof, but from your parking brake. I had the SAME issue an I even went as far as removing the front upper console area (where the sunglass holder is) to find something bouncing around in there. I searched for hours and could not find anything, even after driving. I had enough and went to the dealer for a one hour diagnostic and they found that it was parking brake What a relief!

[Weasel]

To test that theory maybe pull the ebrake handle one click to see if the rattle ceases... just don't drive with it pulled for long obviously. But that would pull the slack out of the linkage if that is what needs adjusting.

Crazy how sound can travel like that though.

[faxman14]

What are the ashtray mod and the rear center console mods?

[J.Belknap]

Originally Posted by jaap

Hi,

Sorry for my abuse of the English languish. I am a native of the Netherlands.

Unfortunately my X5 had the discussed hatch rattle problem too. I seriously doubtwhether the upper hatch can cause rattles. I simply can’t see how that would be possible. Next to that I believe that adjusting the discussed two upper hatch stoppers outward will cause more outward tension on the lower hatch. This is exactly what you shouldn’t want to do, because that will increase the problem. It’s slack between the lower hatch and the car body that causes rattle. C-S-S pointed at this before:

“The main source of the rattle was movement between the upper and lower gates. I removed the covers to the lower gate striker bolts, closed the lower gate, loosened the bolts, then pushed in firmly at the upper corners of the lower gate while I tightened the bolts. Now the lower gate is seated tight, and the upper gate latches tight against it. All rattles are gone!”

My only remark is that the lower hatch is not the “main source”, but the only source.

Thank you.

Bumping an old thread to say that this method works. No felt thingys or adjustment of stoppers needed.

[faxman14]

What do you mean by the lower gate striker bolts?

Do you need a special tool to loosen and tighten them?