tailgate rattle fix- solved.

[KRS_SN]

for the past 2.5 years i had a rattle from the tailgate that was driving me nuts.
Applying felt tape to various places never really fixed it.
This guys video was helpful as the solution worked!
Thought I would share for any fellow sufferers benefit

[ScottC25]

Going to try this tonight. I have an almost permanent creaking coming from somewhere in the back of the car, and haven't been able to figure out where it was coming from.

Fingers crossed this is the problem.

[The Libertine]

Good to know - thanks for posting and including the video link.

[Florida-X3]

Bravo! Worked like a champ .... rattle was driving me nuts, this fixed it! However I found the electrical tape doesn't stick that well (even after cleaning) so my guess is it won't last that long. Next attempt will be Gorilla Duct Tape.

[Neuera09]

I used an automotive wiring harness tape I bought from Amazon.

[hufington]

I did what was suggested in the posted video and it did not help at all. I used electrical tape, felt tape and vinyl wrap and none did solve the rattling noise that has been there since the day two after I took delivery at 2 miles on the odometer.

I had to bring the car to the service and leave there twice. Once for 2 days and once for 3 days. First time, they claimed that they could not hear the rattles all the time and therefore could not locate the source. Second time, I have insisted on having an experienced person to work on the car and at the end, they have confirmed the noises and fixed them...well, sort of.

It is 80% better in comparison to how it was before but it still is making some rattle noises over some specific bumps and on uneven pavement.

That's what has been done at the dealer. I hope it helps:

[KRS_SN]

i hear you...i also had rattle from the trim panels in the past and i sprayed a liberal quantity(1 litre) of WD40 over all trim panels on (non rubber) on the tailgate and around the back of the car and the parcel shelf trims etc. I also put electral tape around any removable panels such as the emergency kit/fusebox panel etc and it helped settle that then.
The last remaining rattle was fixed with the method above in the video. Now the x5 is fully rattle free! Too bad 2.5 yrs of ownership too late.

[Neuera09]

After I taped the above trim pieces, these buggers were the next source of the annoying rattles. These were an easy fix.

[pits200]

Originally Posted by Neuera09

After I taped the above trim pieces, these buggers were the next source of the annoying rattles. These were an easy fix.

What did you do with those

[Neuera09]

took em off. Lol

[dak1511]

@KRS_SN

This fixed my issue right away. Awesome video!

[NJDJ]

I also have this creaking noise when the chassis is flexing. I was so hopeful that this would address it but it has not. I wrapped both sides multiple times and I have not had it make a difference. I'm still looking for a solution as the creaking really bothers me whenever I go over a bump.

[KRS_SN]

Keep the faith. A fix is around the corner mate. you just haven't discovered it yet. both my x5 and 3 series had rattles. i doggedly worked hard and am rattle free now. but boy was it hard to get here.

[TheUltimateDrivingManiac]

Originally Posted by NJDJ

I also have this creaking noise when the chassis is flexing. I was so hopeful that this would address it but it has not. I wrapped both sides multiple times and I have not had it make a difference. I'm still looking for a solution as the creaking really bothers me whenever I go over a bump.

The solution is to do an alignment of the trunk door. Not covered by warranty and costs about $200.

[maDjzo]

Originally Posted by TheUltimateDrivingManiac

The solution is to do an alignment of the trunk door. Not covered by warranty and costs about $200.

+1

Had my dealer realign mine, rattle solved.

[timothyhugh]

I’ve had 2 trips to the dealership and each time, they remove the cargo cover and leave it on the floor of the back seat footwell. The noise is completely gone when the cargo cover is removed but once installed, the creaks are back. I explained this but they still removed it the 2nd time and wasted my time, another week at the dealership only to leave frustrated again.

If any of you remove your cargo cover, does this resolve the issue?

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by timothyhugh

I’ve had 2 trips to the dealership and each time, they remove the cargo cover and leave it on the floor of the back seat footwell. The noise is completely gone when the cargo cover is removed but once installed, the creaks are back. I explained this but they still removed it the 2nd time and wasted my time, another week at the dealership only to leave frustrated again.

If any of you remove your cargo cover, does this resolve the issue?

Define cargo cover? You mean the floor?

[Alos]

Originally Posted by ScottC25

Going to try this tonight. I have an almost permanent creaking coming from somewhere in the back of the car, and haven't been able to figure out where it was coming from.

Fingers crossed this is the problem.

Mine was from the hatch that opens the rear where the tire is. It's the plastic locking piece. So makes sure it's not there before you do above.

[maDjzo]

Originally Posted by timothyhugh

I’ve had 2 trips to the dealership and each time, they remove the cargo cover and leave it on the floor of the back seat footwell. The noise is completely gone when the cargo cover is removed but once installed, the creaks are back. I explained this but they still removed it the 2nd time and wasted my time, another week at the dealership only to leave frustrated again.

If any of you remove your cargo cover, does this resolve the issue?

Depends on the source of your creaking. Mine for example originated from the trunk panel area, thus re alignment solved it. Others had sounds and creaks come from other areas including cargo cover.

[timothyhugh]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Define cargo cover? You mean the floor?

Sorry for not replying quicker, been super busy. I mean the removable cargo cover, that clicks in behind the back seats. If you press the button on the right side and take it out, the noise is completely gone.

[timothyhugh]

Originally Posted by maDjzo

Depends on the source of your creaking. Mine for example originated from the trunk panel area, thus re alignment solved it. Others had sounds and creaks come from other areas including cargo cover.

Interesting, when you say trunk panel area, do you mean the bottom trunk door plastic cover on the inside of the car? If I press on that, I do hear creaking sounds and showed this to the dealer but they didn’t resolve that, instead they removed the cargo cover and that stopped the creaking. To me, it seems like that beefy cargo cover stiffens the body of the car in the back and then makes the plastic panels in the back creak, it acts like a sway bar on the inside of the car.

I had a 2019 X5 loaner and the cargo cover is much thinner than the one on my 2016, maybe half the thickness, seems like maybe they improved the design on the latest model.

[acbrunton]

New to the forum.
I have a 2020 CPO X5 G05. Going over certain bumps and dips I hear noise from the rear that's more of a clunk and creak, like a door isn't fully closed, or a rear seat isn't fully locked back. I'm going to see if adjusting the lift gate bumpers helps, or trying this tape idea.
If anyone has other thoughts before I cave in and give it to the dealer to work on and tell me they can't find anything, let me know