tailgate rattle

[cavx5]

hi everyone just a question my tailgate/rear hatch is rattling and i think part of the problem are the 2 red reflectors on the tailgate...does anyone know how they come out..do you just pry them out it appears that you do just wnat to make sure..i think that is part of problem..thanks rob

[bcb1]

They pop right out, but that's not what is causing your tailgate rattle. Trust me, most (if not all) X5 owners have had, or will have the tailgate rattle issue. It's common. There are a couple ways to handle it:

1. The easy, simple way is to get the 3/4" self-adhesive felt discs (like the ones that you put on the bottom of chairs to keep them from scratching the floor). Put one felt disc on each of the rubber stoppers - there is a rubber stopper on each side of your tailgate where the tailgate hatch contacts the body. The felt disc will cure the rattle.

2. The other way is to adjust the rubber stoppers. There is a torx head bolt in the center of the rubber stopper, it's a T-20 size I think. Loosen it, and you can screw in or screw out the rubber stopper to make it fit tighter with the tailgate hatch. You'll probably have to adjust it twice a year, once in the warmer months and once in the cold months due to expansion/contraction.

I think the felt fix is much easier! You'll have to replace the felt discs once every few months because they'll get worn from being compressed and opening/closing the hatch. No big deal, they pop right off, and they're cheap too. You can get a whole pack of them for $2 or $3 at Home Depot or Lowes.

[Bimmer4125]

Correct

[cavx5]

thanks will do it immediately..noise is driving me f;;; nuts

[ccarney]

Had my X for 4 days now and the rattle was really bothering me. Going to pick up so felt on the way home.

Thanks!

[chilliwilli]

The felt pads and a combination of adjusting the stoppers should do the trick. However, i've done this and another popping/rattle sound appeared. I had someone drive the X while i actually sat in the truck so i could drill down on the exact culprit. Turned out to be the tailgate latch. I added a couple felt pads on both sides of the latch and i haven't heard anything since. Only catch is you have to close the trunk slightly harder.