Cargo area rattle

[SkyKing]

I would start by removing your roof (if hardtop) and see if that makes a difference. one of my squeaks turned out to be the rear liftgate - which I discovered by driving around with it open and there was no Squeak - so I addressed that with a layer or stick on weather stripping along the top edge of the swing gate. Also, try simply loosening the top and shift it around a bit and let it re-seat itself and tighten. Also try checking to see if it's anything you've put in the rear storage areas. Beyond that, you need to have someone drive you around with you in the back and pinpoint the location.

Sponsored

 

[Dan-O]

I had a bad rattle, mine turned out to be the black plastic grill on interior tailgate. Removed and lined grill edge with felt tape, also there was a little plastic mechanism inside that was rattling too that I insulated with more felt tape. Totally disappeared after reinstalling the grill.

 

[alancorman1]

I’ve brought my vehicle in to Ford four times. Each rime they claim to have fixed it.

I have a 24 badlands sas 4 door, I’ve got a horrible plastic rattle/creeks coming from the cargo area so bad to the point it’s borderline unbearable anybody have any experience possible fixes to try for this? It’s so bad on in town roads if I can’t get it figured out this vehicle will be gone soon

Four trips to the dealer and was told each time they eliminated the noise. Drove off the lot and it is still there. I have heard seatbelt, subwoofer, tailgate, jack, etc. About to trade it in for a Tacoma TRD PRO and call it day.

 

[Acadist]

I had minor rattles too and figured it was part of the experience. Got rear ended and the tailgate was replaced……even worse. I replaced the hinge with the TOR reinforcement that replaces the hinge and takes the weight off the tailgate. Now it has no rattles, the tailgates feels more solid when closing, and even my doors rattle less when closing, I think this is due to the pressure venting correctly now.

 

[Cux211]

I'll gladly offer up my 4 door with no squeaks for a day chasing birds in NE PA !

Honestly if I can’t figure this out I’ll probably just run my truck back and forth to the game lands, the rattling is so bad on shitty town roads I can’t imagine how bad it’ll be on that unmaintained dirt road I might leave the bitch there and hitchhike home with my dog lol

 

[Cux211]

I had a similar "rattle".. driving me crazy.. turned out to be the unused seatbelt buckles rattling against the pillar plastic.

Already checked

 

[Cux211]

I’ve brought my vehicle in to Ford four times. Each rime they claim to have fixed it.

Four trips to the dealer and was told each time they eliminated the noise. Drove off the lot and it is still there. I have heard seatbelt, subwoofer, tailgate, jack, etc. About to trade it in for a Tacoma TRD PRO and call it day.

I may be pushed to that but for a new 4Runner or land cruiser no need for a little pickup I have my 3/4 ton tremor

 

[coachoates]

Had a problem with my tailgate rattling. Finally had a dealer confirm it on a test drive, they replaced the entire tailgate.

I hope you get it resolved. I found my rattle annoying much like your original post described.

 

[BMaze]

I have a 24 badlands sas 4 door, I’ve got a horrible plastic rattle/creeks coming from the cargo area so bad to the point it’s borderline unbearable anybody have any experience possible fixes to try for this? It’s so bad on in town roads if I can’t get it figured out this vehicle will be gone soon

I would check your spare. Confirm that the lug nuts holding it on are tight. When I last had my Bronco at the dealership, apparently there was a rear camera recall they addressed. I had no issues...anyways, point is that when I picked up and was driving, had a horrible squeaking and rattling. I checked it...lug nuts were not tight.
Do not just try to move the tire with your hands. Use a tire wrench and check.

 

[Lucky Nut]

I have a 24 badlands sas 4 door, I’ve got a horrible plastic rattle/creeks coming from the cargo area so bad to the point it’s borderline unbearable anybody have any experience possible fixes to try for this? It’s so bad on in town roads if I can’t get it figured out this vehicle will be gone soon

Had the same issue. Buy a $4 pack of 1/4 inch weather striping from Home Depot and put one strip across the back of the flip up window where it meets the tailgate door. Problem solved.

 

[Laddyaddy19]

If you have a mat in the rear cargo area, check that it hasn’t slid back toward the tailgate. It sounded like a package of water bottles rubbing together, but it was the rear cargo mat rubbing against the tailgate. Just push it forward and problem solved

 

[Cux211]

I would check your spare. Confirm that the lug nuts holding it on are tight. When I last had my Bronco at the dealership, apparently there was a rear camera recall they addressed. I had no issues...anyways, point is that when I picked up and was driving, had a horrible squeaking and rattling. I checked it...lug nuts were not tight.
Do not just try to move the tire with your hands. Use a tire wrench and check.

I will check that thanks , if I remember right those lugs are 66ftlbs ?

 

[Grant3168]

Others have provided great advice, but wanted to provide some insight with my expeirence with cargo area rattling. I dealt with it for months and have finally had it fixed, its been perfect for the last 2-3 months now.

Spraying White Lithium grease on the tailgate. You will want to open your tailgate, carefully pry off the two plastic pieces on the inside of the tailgate and go to town with the white lithium grease. Spray it in every direction, focus on where the hinges attach to your tailgate.

I remember reading that on the forum and thought, "there is no way that will fix it," but it sure did!

Check your lug nut torque for the spare. I dont know what the torque specs are, but I just went around with a wrench and gave them all a nice tightening. This did not fix my issue, but good to make sure its not the cause of your issue.

I have 2023 bronco with the base audio, BUT with the upgraded subwoofer speaker in the rear. It was rattling like crazy on base heavy music. I took off the plastic panel above the subwoofer and there was a 10mm bolt holding the subwoofer housing together that was loose, tightened up and it was fixed. Not sure if thats your issue, but could be.

Do you have a tailgate reinforcement kit on your bronco? If so, I would remove the bolts that go into the hinges of your tailgate and put blue lock tight on them. Someone said this on the forums and I thought there is no way that is the issue, it re-enforces the tailgate! BUT, when I was removing the bolts, they made a loud squeaking noise when I removed them. Put blue lock tight on and tightened it back up and it was silent.

Hope this helps you or someone else with squeaking. Again, I've been squeak free for months now, but was dealing with this for probably 4 months, it was driving me insane and the dealership was extremely unhelpful, had to do it all myself.

 

[NorthShoreBronco]

I'm willing to bet that all you need is to tighten your tailgate hinges. I have two broncos. both had persistent rattles. Tightening the hinges on the tailgate fixed both.

 

[akturbo]

Remove your spare tire, see if that changes anything. My fixes, the soft top was terrible, new Trektop fixed that. Didn't realize a lot of rattles were from the tailgate, Hammer Built brace for the spare tire fixed that. From there, I've lined panels/metal with Dynamat, every little single plastic clip, OEM connector, wire with fabric tape/putty/zip ties etc. Adding a 10" sub uncovered the rest of the rattles. This and everything else others mentioned. The Bronco is super easy to take apart, you have to put in the effort to find the rattles on your own or you're SOL.

Sponsored