I FIXED the Annoying RATTLE/CREAKING from rear hatch!!
 

Hello people,

I finally fixed that annoying rattling/squeal/squeek noise coming from the rear hatch area. I been adjusting that rubber feet things on the D-pillar that meets the rear top hatch to no success whatsoever.

so, I got my friend to ride in the back today and he actually found the source of the noise.

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/9...urcemn7.th.jpg

hope you can see the yellow arrows on the TAILGATE. Yeah, that's right! Much to my surprise, it is actually the tailgate interior plastic covers being squeezed together when it is closed that's causing the noise. With the tailgate closed, try grabbing the tailgate and squeezing the interior plastic panels right at the corners where the arrows are pointing (not while being open like that, but when it's closed.. the picture is misleading but it's to show the location).

The picture is just to show where the area is, but when you close the tailgate, the bottom piece (piece toward the front of the car) slides over the second top piece (on the tailgate itself) and covers it completely. The two corners of the pieces-while the tailgate is in closed position- that's when the squeak/rattle is produced, especially while driving slowly.

I just put some felt/foam in between the two tailgate plastic pieces (the interior panel spring loaded) at the corners (arrows, but when closed, not open) where they meet, and the noise is GONE!

Man I really need to get a camera...

well, I hope this works for those who have the same problem

That's very interesting! Thanks for the tip :thumbup:

Going to have to try that to see if it helps me too. From the sound that I hear, I could imagine it being something like that. I just wish it was easier to recreate :(

thx, will definitely try it. the value of this forum continues to grow ....

Nice suggestion! I've heard that occasionally, and I always thought that was the cargo cover, which caused a rattle in my ML. I'll definitely take a look.

Thanks Y5choi! I spent the best part of a couple of weekends adjusting the rear hatch and taking everything out of the back area, to see if I could find the crackling noise. The plastic spring loaded piece that slide over the rear lower hatch was the culprit. There is only a thin felt piece that seperates the two pieces. I laid a piece of foam insulating tape over the entire piece of felt and the noise is gone! I'll swap this with something more permanent as this was just an experiment to see if this was the problem. BMWNA, if you're reading, replacing this piece with a thicker insulator will save your customers much time and effort, and will save you $$$ by keeping the vehicle out of the dealer to fix under warranty!!!

haha, you are exactly right- the piece is attached by a few springs and the thin felt (maybe half an inch or so) doesn't quite cover the corners.

Yeah people seem to think that it's the hatch but no.. its the tailgate.

glad it worked out for you too

The pic is gone.... Can you re-post it ?

:confused: The pic is still there. You're talking about the OP's pic, right?

yeah I can repost but I clicked the pic and the link is still alive

Rufusdedog, You da man! That's an awesome fix.

I've been driving myself nuts (and that doesn't take much, believe me) narrowing down the damn rear rattle noise. Putting felt pads on the rubber bumper stops helped, but hasn't completely cured it. I still get it sometimes, and you are so right - it's hard to recreate the noise!

First thing I'm going to do when I get home is put foam in that space. Hell, I'd even remove the plastic covers if that means it would never rattle again!