tailgate rattle issue

is there a solution anyone has found to stopping the tailgate rattle?

there is nothing that I cam see that actually touches the tailgate except the latch so how can you "pad" it to stop the rattle? do you have to buy new tailgate latches or can they be adjusted somehow to hold it tight?

 

Are you sure it's the tail gate rattling due to the latch and latch plate?

The supports in between the two body panels of the tailgate have really poor tack welds. One of mine is broken off in the tailgate and tends to rattle around.

You can take the access panel off and see if that's what it is.

 

Here's a picture.

You can see the first one's welds are busted. That thing is rattling around in my tail gate.



It should look like this:

 

I have a 4 cylinder and it idles rough for no apparent reason so the tailgate latches rattle at times, if I touch one side it stops and the other side rattles, if I put masking tape over the latch it stops rattling until the tape wears off (about a day).

it opens and closes fine and functions correctly but the tailgate latch catch is not held tight in the hook so it has some room to move and the engine vibrations cause it to rattle. its not from inside the tailgate, its on the side latch that locks the tailgate closed that rattles

 

are those little rubber pads inside the strike plate worn out?

 

the pads you are talking about is not missing but could it be worn and that's my problem?

is there a way to adjust it or replace just the pad or would I need to replace the whole catch?

 

Not sure if you still need the help, had the same issue. Welds broke, rattle rattle rattle....... Went to NAPA and bought 1/4" x 1" x 10' grey foam universal weatherstripping tape. Opened the panel and stuck a 4 inch long piece under every broken weld, any other pace that looked like it would make noise, and all along the openings where the panel would close on the tailgate. Since nearly all the plastic washers for the screws discntegrated. Go strip happy! Anyways. Have never heard a peep out of my tailgate ever since then. Good luck!

 

thanks but I put shims behind the rubbers and they hold tight now, they just got worn and I guess a little stiff and weren't pressing solid against the latches