I just fixed a serious rattle from my tailgate. I started by opening the gate and then lifted it up and down to try to recreate the sound but could not (indicating to me that the squeek is from the latching area of the gate). I noticed that below the latch bar on the inside of the cargo area (latch bar=looks like the front door latch bars) is a piece of metal about the size of my palm held in place by two hex bolts. That (black) piece of metal had a worn spot on the top. I loosend the two bolts and tapped both the top and bottom until the piece of metal moved forward 1/4 inch or so (forward being toward the tailgate opening). Then I gently closed the gate, reopened the gate and tightened the hex bolts back down. Next trip and NO tailgate rattle! Actually surprised myself as it's so easy and takes maybe 2 minutes to do.

 

I saw the exact same wear on that piece that you mention and I think I'm going to have to try that. Do you have the tailgate shock strut thing I can't think of the name for it the gas strut thing ? I'm having a senior moment. Oh by the way TheQuiet1 I didn't think you were trying to take the topic over but I appreciate the help. I don't have the top on right now I have the duster cover on with the sun bonnet on too. Love the combo and the noise is n't as loud as when I do have the hardtop on. I think it is probably the echo. Who knows. I will report the what I come up with when I adjust that block.

 

Yes, I have a strut to keep the tailgate open. Have you tried to recreate the noise by opening the tailgate and lifting it up and down (gently I suppose a gorilla could rip it off completely)? Mine didn't rattle at all so I assumed (correctly) that spot welds were good and that it just needed an adjustment on the part shoiwng wear. Before I adjusted it though I took some good old duct tape and covered the wear area on top and on bottom first. This worked for like 2 days but it (the rattle) came back and I could see the tape had already worn through.

 

I have tailgate shaking the tailgate up and down but I got no movement on that end, but I am going to give your fix a shot and see what pans out.

 

I found another problem. I sarted hearing another rattle, different from the squeek the first time. Closer inspection revealed that the "saddle" used to pull the AEV tire carrier into the gate had broken in half. AEV replaced it (immediately and cheerfully). I did do a minor adjustment to level the tire carrier and this put less strain on the saddle which had lasted for 9 months basically incorrectly installed.

 

Well the problem found is the hinges, they freakin suck. They are covered by the extended warranty to a degree. But I still have to file a warranty claim with the original then wait for chrysler to approve it via pics showing my hinges rusting and paint that's curling on my hood hinges. What a piece of junk.

 

Well fellas turns out its the hinges on my tailgate that are bad. I've contacted the dealership and they have started the now new procedures of filing claims such as these to the claims dept at I'm assuming chrysler. I have also brought to their attention the peeling of the hood hinges, the rust that is bunking up on both driver and passenger hinges. I'm awaiting for their answer to are whether or not I'm going to get them replaced, repainted, and last but not least the paint on my passenger front fender that something is happening under the paint and is coming up through color and coat? No explanation. I will keep you guys posted what the out come will be. I spoke to the service writer at the dealership a couple of days later and he told me the following day after I was there someone came in with the same identical problems with their hinges and well we will see if they get the same response as myself or?

 

Well I want to bring you members up to speed on this matter and it is very good. The supervisors name is Elise and she was an absolute pleasure to deal with, she helped move this situation very well and I'll be writing a letter thanking her. But here's how it goes they are covering all my hinges and painting all of them. As far as the tailgate hinges go they are replacing them repainting and blending all of it to match the jk, along with new covers too. Along with a rental car provision also. If any one has the rusty bubbling paint situation on their jk looks like 2007-08 so far are ones that have it I haven't seen 2009 with that problem. But their is one slight catch and that is the vehicle has to be still under the 3 year 36k oem warranty to get it to be covered along with or if you have brought this issue/issues to the dealer/dealerships in the past before you had reached your 3/36k warranty.