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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: Tazman on April 27, 2016, 09:30:38 pm

Title: Tailgate noise
Post by: Tazman on April 27, 2016, 09:30:38 pm

I do a lot of driving with my rear slider open enjoying our weather before it heats up. I have noticed my tailgate makes its share of rattling noise. Just wondering if anyone had any ideas on making it a little less nosier.Thanks

Title: Re: Tailgate noise
Post by: LTZ C20 on April 28, 2016, 01:06:23 am

Does it rattle when you go over bumps? Like it's jumping up vertically just a little bit, enough to make a rattling noise? Or is there some type of other behavior that causes it to make a rattle?

Describe the rattle. Light and thin, like a bottle cab rattling around inside an empty glass bottle? Heavy and solid, like a loose heavy steel item being shaken or throw around? Somewhere in the middle? Use common objects and sounds to describe it's sound and the situation when it occurs.

Title: Re: Tailgate noise
Post by: K20Detroit on April 28, 2016, 04:21:51 pm

Your best bet, in my opinion, is to start by simply tightening up all the screws.
Some are security bits, some are standard phillips. If you have the top tailgate trim, it's a standard slotted driver.
I can say that many of mine were loose, or completely missing, after all these years.

After that, try shaking the tailgate around. With the tailgate closed, hold it on the top and shake it in and out. This will allow you to test the upper locks for excess play.
If your lowers are in very bad shape, you may have them rattling when you do that.
To test the lowers, I find it easiest (since you can see them and their movement) to open the tailgate to some degree, and lift the tailgate a bit. It shouldn't move much, if any, on the left. The right is slotted for removal and may have more play.

I can say that my lower locks/hinges/etc are trash. The tailgate makes one heck of a racket.

Title: Re: Tailgate noise
Post by: Tazman on April 28, 2016, 09:55:55 pm

It does most of the rattling when just sitting still. I did find that I opened it and shut it with some force and it has been better since. Then again I can just sing louder but I would probably get a ticket for that.

Title: Re: Tailgate noise
Post by: LTZ C20 on April 28, 2016, 10:07:15 pm

Try some silicone lubricant on all of the moving parts.

Title: Re: Tailgate noise
Post by: Irish_Alley on April 29, 2016, 03:19:03 pm

sometimes only one side will lock. make sure both locks are working

Title: Re: Tailgate noise
Post by: VileZambonie on April 29, 2016, 08:05:15 pm

I believe I have a post on here somewhere showing how I remedied mine on. I'll look for it

Title: Re: Tailgate noise
Post by: VileZambonie on April 29, 2016, 08:23:42 pm

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=14147.msg108276#msg108276

Title: Re: Tailgate noise
Post by: philo_beddoe on May 26, 2016, 09:45:38 pm

Vile thanks, as LTZ posted in #2, mine has a clunk when going over a raised bump in the road, gonna try those rubber bumpers. If i can find some...
I just posted this problem somewhere else, something about tailgate trunnions and shims..

Title: Re: Tailgate noise
Post by: VileZambonie on May 27, 2016, 07:29:10 pm

I just used GM hardware and rubber stoppers. You can get them online or at the swap meet cheap

Title: Re: Tailgate noise
Post by: mjreynolds928 on May 28, 2016, 01:38:39 am

My support brackets rattle when the tailgate is closed. Just worn out over time. Doesn't make noise with the gate open.


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Title: Re: Tailgate noise
Post by: philo_beddoe on May 28, 2016, 10:23:20 pm

I still have those factory rubber blocks and i tightened/adjusted the hinge latches.  Seems ok