Tailgate noise

[Tazman]

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

[LTZ C20]

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.

[K20Detroit]

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.

[Tazman]

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.

[LTZ C20]

Try some silicone lubricant on all of the moving parts.

[Irish_Alley]

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

[VileZambonie]

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

[VileZambonie]

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

[philo_beddoe]

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..

[VileZambonie]

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

[mjreynolds928]

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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[philo_beddoe]

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