Squeak coming from Cargo Area - Fixed ✅

[Patriotic]

^ Thank you for your contributions to this issue, I credit you directly for the Krytox fix. I’ve posted extensively in the ‘gnarly tailgate rattle’ thread about the efficacy of WD-40 Lithium for the infamous tailgate rattle/tic-tic noise.

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[Ksjrb03]

^ Thank you for your contributions to this issue, I credit you directly for the Krytox fix. I’ve posted extensively in the ‘gnarly tailgate rattle’ thread about the efficacy of WD-40 for the famous tailgate rattle/tic-tic noise.

Ah yes! Your details on that fix kept me from selling the Bronco, I was ready to get rid of it over the stupid tick from hell!

 

[Usdmmark]

I have the ‘case of water bottles’ squeak and thoroughly cleaning the rubber seal and rectangular blocks in the pictures attached eliminated the squeak. For good measure I ordered the tube of Krytox from Amazon (also in picture) and will apply today as a preventative. The takeaway is these fixes work - this is not how Ford designed the Bronco and it is not normal.

What did you use to clean before you apply the krytox?

 

[Ksjrb03]

What did you use to clean before you apply the krytox?

When I reapply the Krytox I clean with a cloth soaked in alcohol. Cleans the grime off real good.

 

[Usdmmark]

When I reapply the Krytox I clean with a cloth soaked in alcohol. Cleans the grime off real good.

going to try right now. wont know how it worked til im off work though.

 

[Patriotic]

Here's what I did and my 'case of water bottles' squeak from the rear cargo area is completely gone:

1. I had an empty Adams Polishes Spray Bottle in my garage so I labeled it Dawn Liquid, added 4-5 drops of Dawn dishwashing detergent and some regular tap water. Shook it to mix it up.

2. Opened the tailgate and sprayed the bottom rubber seal (see my picture above) of the tailgate liberally with the Dawn spray, holding a cheap microfiber underneath to catch excess and lube your towel.

3. Wipe that thoroughly and let it dry. I took a 15 minute drive after steps 1 & 2 and the squeak was gone, but by the end of that trip, it had returned.

4. Snip off the end of the small Krytox tube and squeeze onto an applicator like a shoe polish/creme dauber. Rub into the entire seal, right to left, overlapping the application. Also to the vertical end points of the seal that touch the hard plastic/rubber stops at each end of the tailgate. Apply to the stops also. See picture above.

5. After about a 10 minute drive back to work, I can happily report the noise is gone!!! All I hear is my awesome B&O stereo.

For tips how to eliminate the dreaded tic-tic sound from the tailgate see my posts in the 'gnarly tailgate' rattle thread. https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/gnarly-tailgate-rattle.20393/page-12#post-1420014

Thank you all.

 

[Patriotic]

^^^2 Days later noise still gone. Quiet as a church mouse.

 

[Usdmmark]

^^^2 Days later noise still gone. Quiet as a church mouse.

Ordered my krytox this morning. Hopefully the squeaking will end!

 

[Patriotic]

Ordered my krytox this morning. Hopefully the squeaking will end!

If the squeaking goes away while driving down the road with the upper tailgate glass open, it will.

 

[Agrod]

I fixed my "water bottle squeak" in the rear with help from this post. I used Ameriseal 15160 that I got at AutoZone. I applied it from end to end to make it look more OEM and I must admit that no one is going to notice it.

 

[Ksjrb03]

I fixed my "water bottle squeak" in the rear with help from this post. I used Ameriseal 15160 that I got at AutoZone. I applied it from end to end to make it look more OEM and I must admit that no one is going to notice it.

Just watch it for leaks. I started with some weather stripping I bought on amazon, and it leaked a bit the first small rain we had. Took it off and just lube the seals every 5-6 months.

 

[Agrod]

Huh, interesting. I have an excuse to wash it over the weekend to check for leaks. Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[breezyxm]

this thread is a GOD SEND. i have a soft top and it just recently started out of no where. i took everything i can think of our of the cargo to see whats causing the issue. i even drove around with the hatch up and still happening.

has anyone done the weather stripping on the bottom?

im also going to look into the screws by the lights to.

 

[Nomadik]

That ameriseal 15160 looks really thick. ..I used Universal Self Adhesive Auto Rubber Weather Draft Seal Strip 51/100 Inch Wide X 1/5 Inch Thick,Weatherstrip for Car Window and Door,Engine Cover that I got an Amazon and it did the trick... Haven't seen any leaks and I did it right along the edge of the top of the tailgate... Though I had to cut it back a slight bit cause it was catching on the rear glass seal on the hardtop when opening it...... The krytox will work if the squeak is the same squeak we had which due to the metal rubbing on the dry weather seal of the hard top back glass. My squeak went away when I drove with the rear glass open..... It is a similar squeak (like a case of water bottles Josseling around) maybe it is a seal rubbing somewhere with the soft top... Maybe check the bolts? I don't have a soft top so just guessing. Especially if you emptied the bronco and still had squeak. I remember some others had posted about having the back quarter panel being ever so slightly off alignment so they were able to correct the squeak by undoing a bolt or two and fixing the alignment.

I also saw this post.
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/gnarly-tailgate-rattle.20393/page-12#post-1420014

 

[roddyrides]

Worked for me! This is my 2nd Bronco that started squeeking from the cargo area. Both started at around 5000 miles. Could not figure it out. I bought the Krytox and lubed all the seals around the cargo door and window (2 door Badlands). No go!! AH HA!! The simple line where the bottom of the window touches the top tip of the cargo door. THAT horizontal line. Thats the one!! IT WORKED!! NO MORE SQUEEK!!! THANK YOU!!! I no longer have to shoot my brains out. Phew. What a relief!

Can you take a picture of where it is? I too the top down for the first time last week. Soft top 4 door. I also just hit 5k. All of a sudden I have squeak that is driving me CRAZY. Like this all started the week after I paid the fucking thing off. It's maddening.

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