Read tail gate hinge rattle

[Dfisher81]

Hello. First post! I’ve owned by JLU for 2 months and now have discovered a strange rattle on the rear tail gate. It comes from near the right top hinge on the bottom door (tire carrier). Dealership thought it was spare tire fitment and made a few adjustments to no avail. I have removed spare tire, lubed top and bottom hinges and mounts on the tail gate and still get the noise.

I drove down the road with glass up, and that seemed to be a bit better, but could’ve been due to some increased road noise with the glass open.

Going back in on Monday. Any thoughts? This noise is prevalent near the top tailgate hinge, even if the car is in drive or reverse, and is not moving (someone holding brake in gear).

It sounds like a jack is loose, sort of rattling plastic against a tub or metal. I’ve removed the jack, tire iron, and the rear tub and bolt caddy (holding the top and door bolts). Nothing seems to fix this.

It is 100% from the right rear near the brake light or hinge.

Appreciate anyone’s idea here to try to save a trip back to CDJ.

Thanks!

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[Dfisher81]

FYI - Dealer traced this noise, after 3 days, to a bad muffler and is ordering a replacement. Will post if this is a true fix.

Here is link to a video of the noise. Please disregard the blue painters tape, that was just a troubleshooting technique to rule out interior plastic. My issue is clearly metal and is coming from outside and under the vehicle.

 

[dudemind]

FYI - Dealer traced this noise, after 3 days, to a bad muffler and is ordering a replacement. Will post if this is a true fix.

Here is link to a video of the noise. Please disregard the blue painters tape, that was just a troubleshooting technique to rule out interior plastic. My issue is clearly metal and is coming from outside and under the vehicle.

Your noise sounds very similar to mine, but seems more consistent. Did yours start of making noise only over bumps at first? Or did it always make the noise at idle? Mine went from a very quiet noise here and there over bumps to a very steady rubbing/creaking/rattle with the slightest body movement over the course of a couple weeks. Wasn't as steady as yours though, at least not at idle.

Mine's at the dealership right now as well. I forwarded them the comments about the muffler based on this thread. Hopefully that resolves my issue too. Thanks!

 

[JeepCares]

Hello. First post! I’ve owned by JLU for 2 months and now have discovered a strange rattle on the rear tail gate. It comes from near the right top hinge on the bottom door (tire carrier). Dealership thought it was spare tire fitment and made a few adjustments to no avail. I have removed spare tire, lubed top and bottom hinges and mounts on the tail gate and still get the noise.

I drove down the road with glass up, and that seemed to be a bit better, but could’ve been due to some increased road noise with the glass open.

Going back in on Monday. Any thoughts? This noise is prevalent near the top tailgate hinge, even if the car is in drive or reverse, and is not moving (someone holding brake in gear).

It sounds like a jack is loose, sort of rattling plastic against a tub or metal. I’ve removed the jack, tire iron, and the rear tub and bolt caddy (holding the top and door bolts). Nothing seems to fix this.

It is 100% from the right rear near the brake light or hinge.

Appreciate anyone’s idea here to try to save a trip back to CDJ.

Thanks!

Hi Dfisher81,

We're sorry that you are having this concern with your new JL. We are glad to hear that you are working with your dealer to have this concern addressed. If you need additional assistance while your vehicle is in service, please feel free to message us.

Darlene
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[dudemind]

Update for me.

My dealer determined that the glass on the hard top wasn't quite sitting correctly, so they ended up removing and reinstalling that. They said they actually ended up going through nearly the entire rear end of the car and tightening things back to spec. Evidently they found three other odd noises that might have translated to the sound I was hearing in the cabin, which is somewhat concerning; but they addressed all three of those as well so all is okay. The noise is gone!

 

[Dfisher81]

Update for me.

My dealer determined that the glass on the hard top wasn't quite sitting correctly, so they ended up removing and reinstalling that. They said they actually ended up going through nearly the entire rear end of the car and tightening things back to spec. Evidently they found three other odd noises that might have translated to the sound I was hearing in the cabin, which is somewhat concerning; but they addressed all three of those as well so all is okay. The noise is gone!

Thanks for your update. Mine turned out not to be the muffler. Further rides pointed to the hard top glass like you mentioned. A little adjustment and grease on the seals and the impact rattle is gone (over bumps).

The constant rattle shown in my video seems to have disappeared for now, too... but I will take note about tightening up things in the rear end. I was convinced that it would be something loose like a heat shield or some other issue, but that resonating sound could have definitely been coming through the glass.

Would you mind sharing some details on what they checked/tightened that cleared up your noise? Thanks!

 

[JIMBOX]

We have had troubles with "LOOSE" heat shields--exhaust headers/cats/exhaust pipes and PREVELANT--THE BIG ONE ABOVE THE MUFFLER-

THIS HASN'T CHAMGED A BIT SINCE 2007--SO ROLL YOUR SLEEVES UP AND START TROUBLESHOOTING-they're usually held in place by sheetmetal nuts--5mm-I think-and these always work loose-so HIGH TEMP LOCKTITE !

Whatever

JIMBO

 

[dudemind]

Thanks for your update. Mine turned out not to be the muffler. Further rides pointed to the hard top glass like you mentioned. A little adjustment and grease on the seals and the impact rattle is gone (over bumps).

The constant rattle shown in my video seems to have disappeared for now, too... but I will take note about tightening up things in the rear end. I was convinced that it would be something loose like a heat shield or some other issue, but that resonating sound could have definitely been coming through the glass.

Would you mind sharing some details on what they checked/tightened that cleared up your noise? Thanks!

I don't have the notes in front of but they did say something about the rear glass. I would dig up my dealer papers, but unfortunately there's no point; a week later, my noise was back. Luckily it hasn't developed into a constant rattle/creak just yet, so we'll see if it gets worse like last time. I might just loosen up the hardtop bolts and move it slightly again and again until it fits "just right".

 

[Dfisher81]

I don't have the notes in front of but they did say something about the rear glass. I would dig up my dealer papers, but unfortunately there's no point; a week later, my noise was back. Luckily it hasn't developed into a constant rattle/creak just yet, so we'll see if it gets worse like last time. I might just loosen up the hardtop bolts and move it slightly again and again until it fits "just right".

This is a good idea. I’ll try it! Thanks.

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