Tailgate rattle issue problems with warranty repair, any suggestions or help appreciated

[flip]

I agree, the hinge problem is not the dealership’s fault. My only complaint with the dealership was they tried to return the vehicle with a new tailgate that the paint obviously didn’t match and was missing the emblems. They promised to make it right, so I am giving them the opportunity.

I did try lowering the rear seats and removing the top after the first set of hinges was replaced. They also replaced the latch at that time. I still had a really bad rattle. I do expect some noise, but this is a very loud rattle and the tailgate sounded like it was coming off. I now have a new tailgate, so I am hopeful after the hinges are replaced it will be better.

Do you know if a dealership is able to check inventory at other dealerships? I could definitely ask them to look around.

Since the part number didn't change, someone would really need to know the date the new style went into service and try to find a part with an earlier date marking (should be printed on the part sticker attached to the hinge or box). I don't have any in stock to check so the easiest thing would be just to have the top strap filled and smoothed to try and match the lower.

Does the dealer have their own body shop on site or do they sublet to one of the local collision centers? If they just sublet it and the painters just went by paint code instead of scanning that could be where your shade match is coming from. Best to scan adjacent panels and do some spray outs to make sure the match is close. Unless tuxedo black or Wimbledon white, it's almost a given shooting color, especially tri-coats, will lead to fail if you don't scan and spray out.

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[Tonka Bronka]

Based on the upper and lower hinge price difference my guess is there was a supplier change (part numbers did not supersede) or the equipment used to cast/forge/machine the straps was changed.

Here's my rattle spiel. Now that you've heard it, you will never unhear it or be satisfied unless it's completely gone. The part no one likes to hear....Sometimes there are noises or other "characteristics" baked into the cake the dealer nor Ford can completely "fix". If the entire gate and hinges were replaced and the noise is exactly the same type and intensity, it probably isn't the gate. My assumption is they gutted it to the point the latch, plastic trim, tire carrier, etc was eliminated and the only thing left was the shell and hinges?

Not sitting in the vehicle to hear the noise and being able to reliably duplicate it makes opining on this specific problem. It's entire possible I could drive it, hear the noise and say it's normal which is likely not the answer anyone wants to hear. Where this has become problematic is by not comparing to one or more like vehicles to see if it's just a "characteristic", they've essentially made the determination it's abnormal by attempting a repair.

I agree that the vehicle has been in or out of service for too long but once you dig into something like this there really isn't a stop until it's repaired or the determination is made by management or Ford there is no fix. Short of the dealer being completely incompetent, I believe they've gone further than most would in search of a noise based on the first post. It's kind of a big deal to make a case for body part replacement and have Ford pay the claim so they've stuck their necks out already. If this were mine I think I'd accept the reality of the situation and either try to live with it or if it's become that unbearable, move on to another vehicle if in a position to do so.

Noises and intermittent problems are the absolute worst complaint that can walk in the door. I'd say overall, the percentage of noises/rattles that can actually be fixed and aren't just an annoying "characteristic", is in the 50% range.

Only other thing they could throw at it if not already done is the latch mechanism and strikers.

They also forgot to put the little rubber bumpers in the hinges.
W721479-S300

Hi Flip, just wanted to say thank you for all of the time you spend helping folks figure out issues and answering questions, myself included. You are an asset to the forum, your dealership, and the brand. Happy Memorial Day, you deserve it!

 

[flip]

Hi Flip, just wanted to say thank you for all of the time you spend helping folks figure out issues and answering questions, myself included. You are an asset to the forum, your dealership, and the brand. Happy Memorial Day, you deserve it!

I appreciate that. It's not as much of an imposition as some may believe. Even though I oversee our fixed ops, it's not as time consuming as if I were at the desk taking care of customers. Got all of this info sitting in front of me all day so copy and pasting or pulling part numbers for folks is part of good customer service whether it's one of my customer's for a mutual customer of Ford.

 

[Aspeer]

Hi Flip, just wanted to say thank you for all of the time you spend helping folks figure out issues and answering questions, myself included. You are an asset to the forum, your dealership, and the brand. Happy Memorial Day, you deserve it!

I couldn’t agree more. I sincerely appreciate the insight.

 

[RimrockPaul]

Seems like didn't care, not didn't notice...

Did it make noise with spare off? How about with window open?

 

[Aspeer]

Did it make noise with spare off? How about with window open?

It made the same noise with the spare off, all the window down, top removed, and the back seats down, even after the hinges and the latch were replaced.

 

[Dontc4re]

Put a Flowmaster exhaust under my tailgate then I hung a kicker sub on the tailgate subsequently ripped off all of the plastic rattle trim and now I can’t hear any rattle if I had one

 

[C6ZZGT]

I have considered that, but I love the Bronco and would hate to change over something as stupid as the tailgate and hinge. At this rate, it may end up being my only option.

We just finished fixing one today that has been at our shop since Oct.

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