Gnarly tailgate rattle

[bcb1]

I have the tailgate rattle, 2 door Outer Banks with only 350 miles. I installed the rough country tailgate reinforcement bracket, and it’s still there. Not bad, only on rough bumps and washboard type concrete/asphalt. Really annoying on a brand new $50+k vehicle.

Mine is not a squeak, it’s definitely more of a rattle, and it’s not constant. I can go over one bump and it’s fine, and the next bump might make the noise.

I’ve sprayed the holes in the tailgate with lubricant, though perhaps not enough. It really sounds like it might be spare tire related, but it’s on tight and touching the bumpers at the bottom of the tire.

Has anyone resolved this tailgate rattle? If I was a better welder and not a hack, I’d be tempted to cut a hole in the tailgate, line it with dynamat, and weld the access hole back up, lol.

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[Function_7]

I have the tailgate rattle, 2 door Outer Banks with only 350 miles. I installed the rough country tailgate reinforcement bracket, and it’s still there. Not bad, only on rough bumps and washboard type concrete/asphalt. Really annoying on a brand new $50+k vehicle.

Mine is not a squeak, it’s definitely more of a rattle, and it’s not constant. I can go over one bump and it’s fine, and the next bump might make the noise.

I’ve sprayed the holes in the tailgate with lubricant, though perhaps not enough. It really sounds like it might be spare tire related, but it’s on tight and touching the bumpers at the bottom of the tire.

Has anyone resolved this tailgate rattle? If I was a better welder and not a hack, I’d be tempted to cut a hole in the tailgate, line it with dynamat, and weld the access hole back up, lol.

Try riding in your cargo area while someone drives to see where the noise is coming from exactly.
I found mine was from the window meeting the tailgate. A quick rub to clean some dirt, and a little rubber moisturizer on the window gasket and problem solved.

 

[charkey18]

Just an FYI: A gentleman in another thread took his to a dealer and they found a crack in a spot weld upon disassembling. Looks like they are replacing the entire tailgate assembly. Seems like Ford under-engineered these.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...-rattle-and-excessive-wind-noise.57495/page-2

 

[bcb1]

I sent a message to the Ford account rep on this site. Hopefully they can set me up with a dealer that has experience fixing this issue.

I looked at it a few minutes ago on lunch break, and I swear I think it’s coming from the 3rd brake light. Maybe I’ll try isolating that with some thin foam

 

[Destination Bigfoot Bronc]

I used blue loctite on all of the bolts on my tailgate spare tire bracket and it solved all my issues. the small amount of play that the bolts had was creating a tick. I have the hammerbuilt support.

 

[RaceRedOBX]

I used blue loctite on all of the bolts on my tailgate spare tire bracket and it solved all my issues. the small amount of play that the bolts had was creating a tick. I have the hammerbuilt support.

I may have to try this. I would describe my sound as a "tick" as well.

 

[bcb1]

Mine is more of a minor clunk. Like if you shut the tailgate you’ll hear it just a little bit. I’m now 100% certain it’s related to the spare tire or carrier. I guess I’ll pull off the spare, the rough country bracket and the carrier, check everything, maybe even try to wedge some foam acoustic blocks in the tailgate while I’m at it, and reassemble.

 

[bcb1]

I pinned down the source of my rattle. It was in the lower left corner of the tailgate near the Ford emblem. By banging my hand against the spare tire, I could definitely hear the faint rattle. I kept trying to narrow it down, finally moved to the lower corner area, and that’s where it was from. I pulled off the plastic panel just inside the tailgate door, sprayed lower corner with lube since you can’t really access down there too well, there’s a large plastic reinforcement “block” there. After that dried, I stuffed a towel and some poly stuffing, fresh from an old pillow I had in the garage . Talk about high tech.

put the plastic grill panel back on, went for a drive, 99% gone. I’m posting this as a potential fix since I’ve seen a lot of recommended things to check, but never in this particular area.

 

[bcb1]

I sent a message to the Ford account rep on this site. Hopefully they can set me up with a dealer that has experience fixing this issue.

I looked at it a few minutes ago on lunch break, and I swear I think it’s coming from the 3rd brake light. Maybe I’ll try isolating that with some thin foam

An update on the Ford rep. They put in a case number and have someone reach out. But basically all that person does is say “take it to your dealer”. So while the outreach is nice, I think all of us can figure out how to take a problem issue to our dealer. I was thinking, maybe a Bronco specialist with all these weird issues would have some insight. Nope. “Take it to your dealer”

 

[bloms83]

I pinned down the source of my rattle. It was in the lower left corner of the tailgate near the Ford emblem. By banging my hand against the spare tire, I could definitely hear the faint rattle. I kept trying to narrow it down, finally moved to the lower corner area, and that’s where it was from. I pulled off the plastic panel just inside the tailgate door, sprayed lower corner with lube since you can’t really access down there too well, there’s a large plastic reinforcement “block” there. After that dried, I stuffed a towel and some poly stuffing, fresh from an old pillow I had in the garage . Talk about high tech.

put the plastic grill panel back on, went for a drive, 99% gone. I’m posting this as a potential fix since I’ve seen a lot of recommended things to check, but never in this particular area.

Yup. That plastic piece (of shit) was making all sorts of noise on mine. This was very helpful. Thank you for posting.

 

[Geo2]

I am sad to report that the rattle has come back….the dealer has replaced my tailgate twice now (that’s 3 tailgates in total) and the tic / rattle / pop is back with vengeance. This current tailgate is the worst one so far. I am so disappointed in @Ford Motor Company. At this point I don’t feel that this problem is being addressed. Something is wrong with the design and execution! I have avoided the DIY route as I am fearful of voiding any warranties, but I may try some moving forward. I will keep you all posted.

 

[bcb1]

I am sad to report that the rattle has come back….the dealer has replaced my tailgate twice now (that’s 3 tailgates in total) and the tic / rattle / pop is back with vengeance. This current tailgate is the worst one so far. I am so disappointed in @Ford Motor Company. At this point I don’t feel that this problem is being addressed. Something is wrong with the design and execution! I have avoided the DIY route as I am fearful of voiding any warranties, but I may try some moving forward. I will keep you all posted.

The DIY route is the ONLY way I have ever been able to solve squeaks and rattles. I'm a squeak and rattle fanatic, every single vehicle I've owned in the last 15 years has had something I've had to chase down myself. I'm not saying that techs don't care - but honestly, squeaks and rattles are hard to chase down. They're usually easy and cheap to fix, once you find them. Spray lube, or felt tape, or foam insulation...stuff like that. It's just tracing them down that can be tricky.

Don't be the least bit intimidated to fix this yourself, as it's likely the only way it's going to get fixed. Start with the easy stuff so many of us have tried. Pull off the plastic panels on the tailgate, and use spray lube on every hole, in every direction you can possibly shoot it. Spray the heck out of the big plastic block in the lower left corner of the tailgate (the left corner if you are standing behind the vehicle). Soak that POS plastic block with lube. Then stuff some good ol' pillow stuffing in that cavity. Put the black plastic panels back in. You'll never see anything. And take a drive, and - hopefully - enjoy the quiet

 

[bcb1]

I am sad to report that the rattle has come back….the dealer has replaced my tailgate twice now (that’s 3 tailgates in total) and the tic / rattle / pop is back with vengeance. This current tailgate is the worst one so far. I am so disappointed in @Ford Motor Company. At this point I don’t feel that this problem is being addressed. Something is wrong with the design and execution! I have avoided the DIY route as I am fearful of voiding any warranties, but I may try some moving forward. I will keep you all posted.

If it makes you feel any better - (and it probably won't) - my brand new X5, back in 2017, which was much more expensive than my 2023 Bronco, was plagued with three different rattles/squeaks. Driving home from the Performance Center in Spartanburg, SC (500+ miles) with a brand new vehicle with an annoying rattle in the back...yeah, that was fun. But, like I said previously - easy fix, once I identified it. And in fact, when you fix this stuff yourself, it actually makes you feel good, like you accomplished something!

 

[Robb]

Finally took mine in today, dealer called at 5 saying they need it overnight. So they said they can hear it, it’s not supposed to be there, and they are taking apart the tailgate tomorrow. Pretty much same story as what I’ve read on this forum about the tailgate rattle. Not too optimistic as I have not read about any permanent fix.

I’ll update after I hear from the dealer tomorrow.

 

[bcb1]

My rattle in the lower left corner by the Ford emblem is starting to come back. I sprayed the inside liberally with lube and stuffed the cavity with poly fill stuffing. Lasted for a while but I’m guessing the lube dried out and now I’m hearing rattle over bumps again.

So, next step - 3M NVH Foam. $50 for a tube, and you need the special dual plunger “caulking gun” to apply it. Plan is to squirt it down in that cavity where that plastic block is located, and also drill a hole underneath, and squirt some up through the hole, then seal hole with a rubber body plug.

I will report back, with photos of the process, after I complete. I want a reasonably nice day to apply the foam, at least in the 60’s or 70’s.

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