Tailgate Rattle

[daharleyrdr]

Hey everyone I'm new to the forum I love it very Informative hope you guys can help. I have a 2002 Liberty Freedom Edition and it has about 23K on it. Anyways I get a rattle inside the tailgate when driving and even hitting the slightest bumps. It seems to be inside the tailgate because if I open it and hit the gate near the spare tire mount or inside it rattlles but sounds like something is losse inside a bouncy type of rattle. Anyone know how to take off the rear plastic panel on the tailgate so I can look inside. I think truck is out of warranty it's 3 yrs old.Thanks Bill

 

[billforde]

http://www.jeepkj.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=412&highlight=tailgate
I think this has been discuss before, check the above link. Its easy to remove the plastic panel. All you need is a flat-wide tool that you slide between the panel and the door and pull. The panel is held on by several plastic inserts.

 

[jarvis]

All you need is a flat-wide tool that you slide between the panel and the door and pull.

Try a plastic kitchen spatula. Works like a champ.

 

[daharleyrdr]

Tailgate rattle fix

Thamks guys I'll try the rubber bump top adjustment first if not I'll pull off the pamel and have a look! Thanks again Bill

 

[daharleyrdr]

Re Tailgate rattle Dear Jarvis

Just to let you guys know I fixed the rattle in lmy Liberty's tailgate the spatula worked great by the way to get off the tailgate plastic housing like a charm. Come to find out it was the spare mounted on the tailgate that was rattling. I took it off put a pad between the spare tire and the mount then put the lugs and lock holding it and it worked, after I took off the tailgate's plastic housing oh well LOL!! thanks guys appreciate the help, Bill.

 

[billforde]

Glad to hear that u found your problem.

 

[desert rat]

Glad to hear you found the solution to your rattle. I had the same problem with an annoying rattle coming from my rear gate, and it was driving me crazy. Every little flex in the road, I heard that door groan. Turns out the rear gate door clasp needed to be adjusted so the door fit closer to the body. While I had it in at the dealer, found out two other Liberty's came in with the same problem. The fix is pretty simple and just involves a few simple tools to loosen up the adjustment plate and moving it back until the door closes a tad closer to the body of the vehicle. Open the rear hatch and you'll see on the right side two areas that can be adjusted -- one is where the latch catches and below that is another set of plates. In my case, both had to be adjusted for the door to close tighter. No more rattles !!!