Squeaks in the back

[ed_freeman]

2023 Black Diamond, hard top, 315 x 12.50 tires, aftermarket KMC wheels

I’ve had it for almost 2 months and 1700 miles… there’s a squeak somewhere in the rear that’s driving me insane. If I hadn’t heard it once, i probably wouldn’t ever notice. But now that I’ve heard it, it’s all I can hear and I’m about to lose my mind.

In researching tailgate reinforcements for the bigger than stock tires, I read that squeak is commonly associated with the weight of the bigger tire on the tailgate. Seems logical at least.

After removing the spare tire, the squeak did go away significantly… but not entirely. Is anyone aware of any adjustments or things to tighten on the tailgate that might help eliminate the squeak? Any other common things that squeak and can be adjusted back there?

Many thanks ahead of time

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[Warhorn]

I've had this squeak as well. After some searching on the forums and tinkering around with my tailgate area, I found a few different fixes.

1) If you've recently had any service, while you're checking torque on your wheels afterwards, also torque the spare (41 ft-lbs instead of the 100 for the actual wheels). After my PPF was installed, my spare was loose and it squeaked like crazy until I found it.
2) Make sure there is no debris or dust between where the tailgate meets the window seal. I'm not kidding, a slight dusting caused mine to squeak for a few days until I wiped that clean. I also applied some lubricant that Ford recommends to keep it from coming back.
3) I still havent fixed this, but some of my trim up near my driver side airbag next to my head touches over bumps and squeaks ever so softly about 3 inches from my ear. Likely just needs a small piece of foam or something to stop touching.

The Bronco is a loud vehicle. The squeaks and road noise will never completely go away and I'm trying to be okay with that, and for the most part I am. I do, however, notice squeaks a single time and like you it then becomes all I hear and all I think about.

I'll wish us both luck with our (hopefully) lengthy futures with our Broncos, haha.

 

[ed_freeman]

I've had this squeak as well. After some searching on the forums and tinkering around with my tailgate area, I found a few different fixes.

1) If you've recently had any service, while you're checking torque on your wheels afterwards, also torque the spare (41 ft-lbs instead of the 100 for the actual wheels). After my PPF was installed, my spare was loose and it squeaked like crazy until I found it.
2) Make sure there is no debris or dust between where the tailgate meets the window seal. I'm not kidding, a slight dusting caused mine to squeak for a few days until I wiped that clean. I also applied some lubricant that Ford recommends to keep it from coming back.
3) I still havent fixed this, but some of my trim up near my driver side airbag next to my head touches over bumps and squeaks ever so softly about 3 inches from my ear. Likely just needs a small piece of foam or something to stop touching.

The Bronco is a loud vehicle. The squeaks and road noise will never completely go away and I'm trying to be okay with that, and for the most part I am. I do, however, notice squeaks a single time and like you it then becomes all I hear and all I think about.

I'll wish us both luck with our (hopefully) lengthy futures with our Broncos, haha.

Thanks for the advice, I’ll be checking all those things today for certain. And yeah, we don’t drive a car or truck, we drive a Bronco… road and wind noise are part of the game. But that squeak has got to go! Ha ha ha, thanks again

 

[JohnnyBronco]

My first thought is wheel torque, being much higher than what some of us are used to especially since you have non stock wheels. As a safety precaution I would check that first. Then lubricate all rubber trim around the tailgate.

You could try adding some a/c foam tape all around the tailgate as a temp measure. And like all latches the one for the tailgate is adjustable

 

[TXBronco1313]

Spray WD-40 white lithium inside the tailgate hinges and apply sil glyde around the rubber frame of the tailgate

 

[zyglyrox]

Spray WD-40 white lithium inside the tailgate hinges and apply sil glyde around the rubber frame of the tailgate

^ Completely eliminated any noises i had.

 

[vbrad26]

Yeah as others have said just lube it all up.
Mine was coming primarily from there the lower portion of the glass meets the upper portion of the tailgate.
It still comes and goes.
For me, just KNOWING where a squeak/rattle is ACTUALLY coming from solves half my problem lol.
Once I know what the cause is...It does not drive me nearly as crazy.

 

[TXBronco1313]

^ Completely eliminated any noises i had.

Yep same here!

 

[hozer]

For me, just KNOWING where a squeak/rattle is ACTUALLY coming from solves half my problem lol.
Once I know what the cause is...It does not drive me nearly as crazy.

Hello fellow ADHD haver

 

[Flurry]

After lubing all of the seals, I found that my squeak was coming from my daughter’s child seat.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

2023 Black Diamond, hard top, 315 x 12.50 tires, aftermarket KMC wheels

I’ve had it for almost 2 months and 1700 miles… there’s a squeak somewhere in the rear that’s driving me insane. If I hadn’t heard it once, i probably wouldn’t ever notice. But now that I’ve heard it, it’s all I can hear and I’m about to lose my mind.

In researching tailgate reinforcements for the bigger than stock tires, I read that squeak is commonly associated with the weight of the bigger tire on the tailgate. Seems logical at least.

After removing the spare tire, the squeak did go away significantly… but not entirely. Is anyone aware of any adjustments or things to tighten on the tailgate that might help eliminate the squeak? Any other common things that squeak and can be adjusted back there?

Many thanks ahead of time

Hi Ed! I can look into your Bronco's noise concern on my end. To get started, could you please send a private message over with the name/location of your local Ford dealer and your Bronco's VIN?

 

[vbrad26]

Hello fellow ADHD haver

 

[userdude]

Just get some really aggressive M/T's, you won't hear anything!

 

[drewski]

I hate squeaks. I had the guide pins rubbing against the hole they were in. It was a loud sharp squeak. I adjusted them to the center of their elongated holes. Next the hard top bottom against the body. I put rubber fender washers between the hard top and the body where the attaching bolts are. Then the lid that opens to access the spare tire Jack. I haven’t really found a way to fix that yet. Right now I have a blanket tucked under the lid to keep it from shutting til I do.

 

[nwGTS]

No

I've had this squeak as well. After some searching on the forums and tinkering around with my tailgate area, I found a few different fixes.


2) Make sure there is no debris or dust between where the tailgate meets the window seal. I'm not kidding, a slight dusting caused mine to squeak for a few days until I wiped that clean. I also applied some lubricant that Ford recommends to keep it from coming back.

I just read this, ran to the garage, did a lap around my block to ID the rear squeak I've been suffering from, cleaned and lubed the window seal, did a second lap and the squeak was GONE!
I have a quiet Bronco again. I love this forum. Thank you.

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