Tailgate Rattle / Tick Issue Fix -- TSB 23-2163

[Ramble_Offroad]

So I’ve been chasing a “click” coming from my tailgate. I was thinking it was my Goose Gear table but now I’m starting to think it’s the tailgate itself.

This is different from the window seal creaking, which is a separate annoyance. (I may add a low profile bulb seal on the tailgate in the attempt to remedy this)

So question for the group please. Is your tailgate noise a sharp / small “click” or more like a clunky heavier rattle?

cheers.
Lars

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[Graham1911]

I sprayed about a third of a can of WD/Lithium in every direction, through every hole I could get the straw through about two weeks ago. It dripped out around small bottom rectangle plugs for a couple of days. The irritating popping is gone. For how long I don't know. If it reappears I will do it again. I cannot stand that noise. It drives me absolutely bats.

Update, still no rattle. The WD Lithium is worth it's weight in gold.

 

[ToddGreen]

The sound this TSB addresses is a metal

So I’ve been chasing a “click” coming from my tailgate. I was thinking it was my Goose Gear table but now I’m starting to think it’s the tailgate itself.

This is different from the window seal creaking, which is a separate annoyance. (I may add a low profile bulb seal on the tailgate in the attempt to remedy this)

So question for the group please. Is your tailgate noise a sharp / small “click” or more like a clunky heavier rattle?

cheers.
Lars

The sound this TSB addresses is a metal on metal ticking or clicking sound. Not a heavier rattle.

 

[ToddGreen]

Sorry - messed up formatting in my last post. The sound this TSB addresses is a metal on metal ticking or clicking sound. Not a heavier rattle.: 48650"]
The sound this TSB addresses is a metal
[/QUOTE]

 

[IWDesertGuy]

So I’ve been chasing a “click” coming from my tailgate. I was thinking it was my Goose Gear table but now I’m starting to think it’s the tailgate itself.

This is different from the window seal creaking, which is a separate annoyance. (I may add a low profile bulb seal on the tailgate in the attempt to remedy this)

So question for the group please. Is your tailgate noise a sharp / small “click” or more like a clunky heavier rattle?

cheers.
Lars

I can best describe my 22 Badlands/Sas tailgate sound as "an old metal coffee can half full of loose nuts and bolts rattling around in the can like crazy throughout my drive - no matter what quality of road I am on".

 

[Ford Motor Company]

So I’ve been chasing a “click” coming from my tailgate. I was thinking it was my Goose Gear table but now I’m starting to think it’s the tailgate itself.

This is different from the window seal creaking, which is a separate annoyance. (I may add a low profile bulb seal on the tailgate in the attempt to remedy this)

So question for the group please. Is your tailgate noise a sharp / small “click” or more like a clunky heavier rattle?

cheers.
Lars

Hi there! Will you send us a message with your VIN and your local Ford dealer? I can look into things on my end.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I can best describe my 22 Badlands/Sas tailgate sound as "an old metal coffee can half full of loose nuts and bolts rattling around in the can like crazy throughout my drive - no matter what quality of road I am on".

Hi there, Mike. This rattling concern doesn’t sound like something we want you to experience with your Bronco. Could you please send us a PM with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer? To send a private message, just click on our username and select "Start Conversation". I'd be happy to look into how I can assist you on my end.

 

[SIMPLEGRINN]

I have a later 2022 production, so out of the window for the tailgate TSB. I sprayed wd-40 all over despite feeling like the noise was coming from the latch side of the tailgate rather than the hinge side. The plastic/rubber block pictured above could be made to "click" as it stuck and moved, so i hosed it down with lube and haven't had any noise other than the occasional sound of the weather seals shifting slightly.

What about the paint wearing off!
I had same issue ford covered it under warranty and now the paint has rubbed off again and now Ford doesn't want to address the damage and problem that is causing it. Keep after them. Try having a algorithm done on the internet to see how many Bronco's are having this issue.

 

[Strizzo]

What about the paint wearing off!
I had same issue ford covered it under warranty and now the paint has rubbed off again and now Ford doesn't want to address the damage and problem that is causing it. Keep after them. Try having a algorithm done on the internet to see how many Bronco's are having this issue.

My plan is to have ford cover it and repaint and then put ppf over the edge to protect the paint. On our big bend trip in January it got through to the primer in a few spots. I have a jeep TJ as well that has the same issue where the hardtop window seal rubs on the tailgate

 

[sonofhammer]

I got my tick fixed when the car behind me got rear-ended and bumped into my tire.

No visible damage, but the tick is gone.

 

[CanadaBaseBronco]

Hey guys,

So I had this same issue. Damn annoying but thankfully I have managed to 100% remove the sound. With the help of this forum ofcourse.

To save you time from all the reading, basically getting the replacement tailgate may or may not help. It seems to be more of a design flaw and some people have got a replaced tailgate with the problem persisting.

For me personally, I am living in the UAE and this whole tailgate replacement thing is a massive massive hassle. Specially when I too have custom tailgate support bracket similar to the hammer built one and PPF on the car. I have to go to several difference garages to fix everthing so essentially going to the dealer is out of the question.

- First step is to go to local DIY/Hardware store and buy some lithium grease as well as a window gasket or seal. Any basic hardware store should have these.

- Second, open the tailgate and fit the gasket in the position shown in the photo(Blue arrow) This will stop the rubber to rubber contact creaking sounds.

- Third step, get your lithium grease with the straw and spray it in the marked locations (Red crosses). You will need to remove the black plastic piece, fairly easy. The marked locations are the main bolts that are causing the metal to metail ticking sounds. Some of them you will be able to see, the others are not so visable, but you can sort of figure out where they are by looking at the outside of your tailgate and just following the pattern.

- Fourth step is to check and see if your spare wheel has enough support, because if you are running a minus offset on your rims, it is likely the spare wheel will be sticking out a bit, and the lower bumpstop supports are not enough to keep it in place. This means spare wheel will flex and cause all the tailgate bolts to flex and this just makes the noise worse. I managed to find a rubber peice used to put under chairs or something in the DIY store, seemed to fit perfect. You can also look at a little PVC pipe, anything that just extends the bump stop to keep that spare tire secure and limit movement. (Picture attached with green arrow pointing to it)

Then you may enjoy... perfect silence

How were you able to spray the bottom 4 bolts? There is an insulation material inside those 2 slots on the inside of the tailgate so I cannot see the bolts and the insulation is blocking them. Thanks.

 

[Hashlak]

How were you able to spray the bottom 4 bolts? There is an insulation material inside those 2 slots on the inside of the tailgate so I cannot see the bolts and the insulation is blocking them. Thanks.

Yes, the bottom bolts are not visable. You just need to spray all around that area, it will seep into the cracks by itself after a few days of driving.

 

[CanadaBaseBronco]

Yes, the bottom bolts are not visable. You just need to spray all around that area, it will seep into the cracks by itself after a few days of driving.

Thank you. I will do this.

 

[itsjeffreyab]

I am having the same issue. It's a sharp metal ticking sound coming from the tailgate and it keeps getting worse. It started very rare but now it's literally every bump now. I cannot figure out exactly what it is. It kinda sounds like it's coming from inside.

 

[FastTimesFord]

Reviving this thread because my August 2024 Black Diamond Sasquatch has this annoying issue now at 5k miles.

I’m a former Lexus/Toyota tech and have had to deal with my fair share of squeaks, rattles and knocks. I know my noise is coming from inside the tailgate closest to the hinges.

White lithium grease helped but the noise came back after one day.

I’m considering going to Home Depot and picking up some spray insulation. If anyone has tried it already please let me know your results.

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