Spare Tire Mount Problem

[eppoh]

The spare tire mount on my 97 Rodeo is making noise. I took a look at it and observed a couple things.

1. The lock on the spare mount gate that latches to the tail gate doesn't line up properly. There is a nylon cam shaped guide that the latch is supposed to ride up on, but the latch rides next to it just on the little metal post- so it will move back and forth with the accelerate/ decelerate of the car. There is no apparent vertical adjustment on either the tire side mount latch or the one on the tail gate. Only vertical.

2. the big rubbber bumpers are not touching the swing gate when it is closed so i know it is not pulled close enought to the tail gate to keep tight.

As far as I can tell, there is no way to replace that little nylon rail or bumper ( whatever it is called) without changing the entire mount. It looks like it is riveted on there.
Anyone hav e this problem or know of a fix?