Creaking sound from rear hatch

[jlam86]

Wow! Job well done! Any tips before someone tackles the job as well or just trial and error?

[seattle]

Originally Posted by jlam86

Wow! Job well done! Any tips before someone tackles the job as well or just trial and error?

Thanks.

Yes, I had to go low-tech way to fix the lower tailgate being too low vertically, and thus misaligned with body.

I have looked carefully, and there's no other way to lift the tailgate but to insert a 1-mm spacer (washer cut in half) as in the picture.
It props up the taigate nicely. The spacer can be adjusted as needed - pushing it in further will prop tailgate higher.

[seattle]

The picture is showing how to adjust bottom half of lower tailgate inward and outward. My vehicle had the bottom portion misaligned (sticking out too much). The adjustment had to be done a few times, as the top portion of lower tailgate has to be adjusted inward/outward as well. Pushing the top portion inward too much results in bottom portion coming out outward. You would have to balance them to move the whole tailgate inward or outward.

After adjusting, the tailgate does not need to be slammed to be closed, as had to be done before. Left and right locks close almost simultaneously with a push.

P.S. I wonder how many people have their tailgates misaligned. Post pictures

[fireroasted]

Originally Posted by seattle

The picture is showing how to adjust bottom half of lower tailgate inward and outward. My vehicle had the bottom portion misaligned (sticking out too much). The adjustment had to be done a few times, as the top portion of lower tailgate has to be adjusted inward/outward as well. Pushing the top portion inward too much results in bottom portion coming out outward. You would have to balance them to move the whole tailgate inward or outward.

After adjusting, the tailgate does not need to be slammed to be closed, as had to be done before. Left and right locks close almost simultaneously with a push.

P.S. I wonder how many people have their tailgates misaligned. Post pictures

Great info. I have this dreaded creak, and its half way down my list of jobs with this X5 I bought last summer. In my case the lower tailgate is inward too far on the passenger side only. Oddly it still requires a good bit of slam to get it to latch.

I think I need to get the lower gate outward on that side. I couldn't tell from your pic how those two bolts would do anything but loosen/remove the lower gate. I did try the washer trick, and it did lift the lower tailgate well. however, I didn't need that. I was just trying everything. Could you give some more detail on how I should be the lower gate outward and flush with the body, and then I suspect the trick on getting the latches adjust. I would assume once I get the first part done it won't latch anymore, and I will need to move the latches.

Then I suppose the rubber seal will leave a gap too........

Thanks!

[grey]

I've had soooooo many rattles in the rear trunk. Have fixed them all after 3years. I should be working for BMW. We should all get together and sue BMW. Every e70 has trunk rattle issues at some stage in their life. It's. Design fault.

[seattle]

Originally Posted by grey

I've had soooooo many rattles in the rear trunk. Have fixed them all after 3years. I should be working for BMW. We should all get together and sue BMW. Every e70 has trunk rattle issues at some stage in their life. It's. Design fault.

I have read people on this forum mention that switching to non RFT tires relieved many rattles. Also Adaptive Drive does the same.

While I think there are some design issues, the rattles occur due to stiff suspension and most of all, the dreaded RFTs.. Just too much shaking and vibration that otherwise gets absorbed by normal tires/suspension.

[grey]

Originally Posted by seattle

I have read people on this forum mention that switching to non RFT tires relieved many rattles. Also Adaptive Drive does the same.

While I think there are some design issues, the rattles occur due to stiff suspension and most of all, the dreaded RFTs.. Just too much shaking and vibration that otherwise gets absorbed by normal tires/suspension.

Thanks for your advice. Absolutely makes sense. I'm waiting until my tires wear off and then to normal tires. Also I'm not a fan of low profile tires for this reason, I'm on stock standard 18"

[jlam86]

bringing this thread back from the dead. I am still trying to tackle squeaks and rattles throughout my x5 and came across this site that may help some of you solve some of your issues.

I am having occasional plastic type creaking noises coming - JustAnswer

[rdham]

Originally Posted by jlam86

bringing this thread back from the dead. I am still trying to tackle squeaks and rattles throughout my x5 and came across this site that may help some of you solve some of your issues.

I am having occasional plastic type creaking noises coming - JustAnswer

Thanks...this solved it for me...upper tailgate striker was off a few mm. This also corrected the hatch door not being flush with the body when closed.

EDIT: The post#33 from seattle was the finishing touch....thanks

[iconoclast]

^Excellent find. Thanks.

The solution on my original X5 was applying felt tape in the cargo cover receptacle. It held the cover in place and no longer rocked back and forth. Hopefully it is that easy for some of the others on here and thankfully I have not had any issues like this on the X5M (yet?).