Tailgate knock/rattle eliminated!
 

We bought our 2003 4.4i in October and knew of the knocking/tapping/tocking coming from the rear tailgate area as we signed the paperwork. We took it back into the dealer (CarMax) to have it addressed a few days later. They fixed it, but a few days later, the sound returned.

I searched Xoutpost for the remedy and considered a couple of possible fixes. I carefully removed the plastic covers from the inside of the lower gate, removed the insulation and made sure there was nothing rattling around in there. Satisfied, I put that back together and began removing the upper tailgate hatch inner panels and trim. There are a number of wires running along the top, behind the 3rd brake light, some of which hang somewhat loosely and could be a source of some noise. I used a few pieces of electrical tape to secure these, just as I did with the wires hanging near the windshield wiper motor. I think this may prevent some more high frequency tapping I've been hearing.

What really fixed it, though, was adjusting the two stops that the upper gate closes against. The dealer had applied grease to the stops, each having a T25 Torx bolt through the center. I unscrewed the Torx bolts, removed them and cleaned them. The rubber stops have a threaded steel insert that allows them to be threaded onto the body. I imagine that these can be adjusted, using the Torx bolt to hold them in the desired position. They have a 6mm hex pattern hole visible after you remove the Torx bolt. I removed them completely and cleaned the grease off of them, then spun them back onto the threaded posts attached to the body, tightening them all the way down. I then replaced the Torx bolt, shut the hatch, checking for anything abnormal. After driving the car for a few hours today, I am VERY happy to say, it is fixed!! The car is drum tight and the tailgate closes just like it should.

These cars are too awesome to have such a simple problem detract from the driving experience. It's an easy fix.

I hope this long post will help someone with the same problem.

Cheers!

Nice! That's comforting to hear. I'm on month two with my 4.8 and was just getting to the point of diagnosing noises from back there. 10yrs ago I had an S-10 Tahoe edition Blazer with a pop-window/tailgate combo. Similar issue fixed those noises.

I am about to replace that bump stop too. You mentioned you have 2 of those? I am asking because I seem to have only one, maybe the other one dropped. Just to make sure, are we talking about 38 in this diagram: RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 3.0d TRUNK LID/REAR WINDOW

Not to be a negative nancy...but it will come back once the weather changes. I've come to terms with adjusting the bump stops each time the temperature changes significantly.

Pay attention Chas3!My turn to catch you out:D
Read again what he says!He is referring to parts 35....;)
"What really fixed it, though, was adjusting the two stops that the upper gate closes against"

Oh well.. he then said rubber, so I thought it was the 38 :)

The OP was lucky,I adjusted those bump stops and tailgate still rattles:(

The fatal flaw of a two piece hatch/tailgate.. it seems they're always the weak point for flexing.

Sorry this is only my second post but I just saw this thread and thought it might be worth adding my thoughts as I believe I have actually found the cause of the rattle.

I had an annoying occasional rattle from the boot latch since I bought the X5 last year and read a few posts on the net including on Xoutpost about fixes with rubber pads, adjustments, grease, adjusting bump stops etc.. etc..

Sure enough after adjusting the stoppers, tightening up the latches and generally having a good look eventually I found one of the two tiny plastic caps on the rubber blocks of the central boot striker missing.

It had obviously somehow been knocked off or was never there and as it "clamps" the latch, was an obvious culprit.

So £12 later for a complete new striker from BMW (can't buy just the cap of course http://www.xdrivers.co.uk/forum/imag...s/original.gif ) and sure enough, NO RATTLE!! Car is so much better to drive now, completely solid and tight and I am chuffed. http://www.xdrivers.co.uk/forum/imag...es/biggrin.gif

The part is number 18 on this diagram. It is listed in the upper tailgate for some reason but is definitely the lower central striker.
Adjust it right down when you fit it too as it pulls the boot down better.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...91&hg=41&fg=60

A few people have been out to look at their strikers here on the Xdrivers forum since I found this issue and found exactly the same part missing and solved the boot rattle by replacing it. Still rattle free a few months on too. :)

Hope this helps at least one of you.

Jay

Yep, Powers1 is right. It's the assembly referenced in the diagram you link to as number 35. There is one per side and it looks like the replacement rubber stopper is $37! Ouch!

I'll post some pictures tonight as I want to be as clear as possible as to what parts these are. In searching for a remedy, I found there was a lack of clarity on certain fixes and I'd like to help people out as best I can.