Tailgate rattle/knock is driving me nuts

[gwinder]

I tried using the felt pads on the rubber stoppers but they only last a few days and then the rattle is back. What is the permanent fix for this please?
Thanks,

Gary

[rastaFarai]

chilliWilli was jst talking about this yesterday at the Tri State meet - maybe he'll jump on forum and answer. He mentioned the pads - but maybe its all about placement.

[X Foomph]

I'm also keen to hear any more/new advise on this almost at the top of 'Things Currently Pissing Me Off' list. I thought I had it nailed a few months ago, but no it sneeks back up there and rattles & squeeks, sometimes on bumps and when 'angle bending' the X in driveways etc but then again sometimes without. Sheesh, what gives ?? I've done the 'wrap up the tail latch in that sticky felt stuff' plus added the little round tabs on the 2 tail gate stops but no, it's till winning the fight.
Not good enough really, is it ??

To hell with it, let's all just weld the buggers closed.

[X5girl]

I fitted brand new modified stops, greased the locks and catches, top and bottom tailgates and its still there. Even removed the rams and rubber lubed the seal. Still there.

Now I turn the radio up.

X5Girl, xxx

[blueagle]

Count me in as another guy experiencing tailgate problem noise....What is best solution ????

[Weasel]

Mine is not wanting to go away with the normal measures either and I think I noticed why... I felt the bottom of the center catch right where the latch catches, I can feel a ridge/groove situation down there from the latch wearing into the catch. My guess is that the latch clicks into/out of the wear groove while driving due to body flex and the felt pads just held it tighter for a short period of time in these cases, hence the quick return.

I wonder how much the lower catch costs? May be worth a try, or if I remember later maybe remove mine and smooth out the groove to see if it makes a difference.

[Boston X5 4.4]

Dealer replaced my latch a while back and now no rattles....after I tried adding felt to all the usual areas.
Latch was very tight initially but seems to have settled in over time.

[UWtke1489]

I find cranking Britney Spears or The Jonas Brothers on the stereo helps the situation... just my .02

[chilliwilli]

Originally Posted by rastaFarai

chilliWilli was jst talking about this yesterday at the Tri State meet - maybe he'll jump on forum and answer. He mentioned the pads - but maybe its all about placement.

The sound was driving me nuts...even if the music was turned up, just the fact that it exists annoyed me. I tried several methods including the felt pads on the rubber mounts. It worked but not for long so I convinced the CEO to drive one day as i literally sat in the trunk and was able to pinpoint the culprit (at least on my X). Turned out to be the latch. I've heard from several people that this is due to poor factory trunk compartment installation with some of the X5's...some even have their rear hatch mis-aligned.

I set out to find a thick felt pad that i could cut and cover both sides of the latch (upper)...i ended up using the small felt-pad dots. I cleaned the latch with rubbing alcohol and stuck 2 pads on each side. A little extra effort may be required when closing the hatch but it did the trick...been two weeks now and i haven't heard a sound

If anyone wants, i can take some pics but it won't be till this weekend as the truck is garaged during the week.

[sprocket1200]

stealer replaced my oem rubber stoppers, which did the trick