Tailgate rattles

My X5 rattles & clunks when I hit a bump or go over uneven ground. It's done this from new, and my dealer has only been able to improve the problem, but not get rid of it entirely. I now find that I'm tensed up waiting for the rattle to happen, and it's spoiling a great car for me. Do they all do this, or is there some amazing fix that I can suggest to my dealer. Any other experiences out there?

Thanks

this is a late reply to your posting but I just starting driving the X5 on a regualr basis and came to the forum to look for solutions for the noisy tailgate problem. I think the noise is from that narrow plastic piece that runs across the base of the gate. I'm thinking of just adding some pieces of foam between the piece and the gate. Have you heard of better solutions?

I have a 2002 X5 and it has gone back to the dealer 5 times for tailgate rattles. They have always fixed the rattles only to come back days later. In my opinion this is due to poor design of the tailgate and excessive body flex. Adjusting the rubber bump stops helps, as is greasing contact points and hinges. Otherwise it has been a great car and I'm just trying to learn to live with this minor irritant.

I purchased a used 02 X5 last fall and went nuts over this tailgate rattle issue, love the vehicle, so much more fun to drive than my prior Lexus SUV, but this rattle was making me crazy...went to every forum I could find, no real solution...then, couple weeks ago I hauled a storm door to my father-in-laws house, and when I left the hatch was not latched cause I had a bungee in the latch, tripped latch, slammed it shut, and voila, no rattles or squeaks... I was afraid to open the tailgate in case the rattle would start again...when I do close it now, SLAM IT, and no rattle or squeak... but then I remembered a comment on this site that was buried in the archives about closing it hard...try it, maybe it's just mine, but don't be afraid to slam it shut...the slamming noise drives my wife crazy when she's in the vehcicle, but it sure solved my problem...no more foam shoved in wierd places, or towels in the plastic trim, who woulda thought!!!!!

I have tried the slamming hard approach with mixed success. Sometimes it helps and sometimes it makes no difference. In any case I don't think that this is the answer. The frustrating part for me it that every time that I took the car to the dealer the problem got fixed, only to come back days later!

I have a 03 X5 and I have the same problem.I have always been good in finding those pesky rattles and squeeks.I was able to remedy this problem.It seems the latch mechanism on the lower tailgate loosens up and gets little play in it. So when it is closed it rattles.To remedy this locate the two stationary rods the latch connects to when it is closed.Wrap some electrical tape around the rods.Not two much or the door will not open and close.Keep testing it until you have it just right.I hope this helps.It helped me

This IS a known problem. I say this because we bought an 02 X5 brand new and the salesman even said to slam it shut everytime or it will rattle.

Is there an award for who can dig up the oldest post?

That was random.

I have a 2002 X5 and have spent many hours on this problem including a trip to the factory in So. Carolina. Here's the scoop. The problem is flexing of the top rear door when moving over uneven roads but not necessarily bumps. The fix is the adjustment of the two pads the door fits in on either side. Buy the tool to adjust them and then find the sweet spot by 1/4 turn increments in and out. If you go too far either way the noise will continue. It does come out of adjustment from time to time for some reason. Just having the tool in my glove compartment gives me peace of mind. Once you teach yourself how to adjust it the psychological relief is amazing. The newer models have a self closing part to solve this problem but as you have read that has problems too.
Hope this helps.

My X5 rattles & clunks when I hit a bump or go over uneven ground. It's done this from new, and my dealer has only been able to improve the problem, but not get rid of it entirely. I now find that I'm tensed up waiting for the rattle to happen, and it's spoiling a great car for me. Do they all do this, or is there some amazing fix that I can suggest to my dealer. Any other experiences out there?

Thanks


I'm not sure this is the case but you might check the license plate frame. On another X5 board some people were having the same problem and it turned out to be the license plate frame on the rear of the car. BMW is to cheap and supplies only 2 of the four screws needed for the frame. So when the car goes over rough roads or when you close the tail gate it always rattles.

Just thought you might want to check this out first.

Yeah BMW X5 i have a low tech way to fix the sounds coming from the rear upper door that knocking noise you here, whenever your driving or pass over a bump in the road....Know Open the rear upper swing up door, looking down to the lower door you will see the cross lock, now take black electracal tape RAP IT 3-4 times around the lower cross lock, which the upper lock catch into, after that open and close your upper swing door 1-2 times. make share the lock still locks and open as normal..... that it no more noise from the rear,...enjoy

X5 tailgate rattles can be from many different areas. Don't assume its the tailgate. First empty all the non BMW items from the vehicle from the rear seat to the tailgate.Take a helper to a quiet bumpy road and have him locate the noise you hear by sitting back there.Common areas of noises are the rear seat backrest latches,spare tires loose,tools loose etc. make sure there are no loose items in those rear 1/4 panel secret compartments,empty them and then listen for the noise. The rear plastic covers can also make a rattle if they are loose. If its the tailgate adjust the lower tailgate tighter on both sides{mark the original position with a marker on the body,its under the cover anyway.Move them in small increments equally.If you tighten too much you will have to lower the upper rubber stops that the upper hatch contacts.Lube the rubber with some petroleum jelly and drive it again. Use the rubber stops to put tension on the upper hatch but keep them even or lid will be crooked. You can use black felt tape to insulate any plastic cover that rattles or creaks.Go to a Mercedes dealer and you can buy a roll for about 5 bucks. It can be cut into narrow strips and put on contact areas. Its geat stuff and one roll will be plenty!