[happyoldhippy]

our very reliable i30 wagon has now done 110,000 km and now... suddenly... I have an annoying rattle coming from inside the tailgate.  PS it doesn't sound like the latch in need of adjustment. I tried to remove the lining to see what might be happening inside!  result: snapped two of the mongrel tabs, because they wouldn't budge!... and this was just the first section (at the top of the tailgate...) I am not going any further until I hear some wisdom on how to remove the lining from the whole tailgate... without busting any more of thes blue plastic clips... anyone else done this successfully?

[Surferdude]

Before you go any further, even though the rattle may not sound as if it's coming from there, wedge a piece of cloth in the latch and shut  it firmly. If the latch is at fault this will stop the noise, which you can then stop more or less permanently, by wrapping a bit of race tape/ gaffer tape around the hook the latch clips to.

[Surferdude]

Also, make sure the lining/ seal around the hatch is clean. Sometimes a few specks of dust can cause what sounds like a rattle as the body flexes.

[happyoldhippy]

thanks! good tip! (and easy to try...)

[happyoldhippy]

interesting... I live near the beach, regularly load and unload 'beach stuff' (including a surfboard..) so this also is a possibility... even though I would not have imagined such a 'rattly' noise coming from a dirty seal... appreciate your prompt response... I'll post the outcome when it's done!
cheers!

PS if anyone else has ideas, please keep'em coming!... synergy!

[Surferdude]

interesting... I live near the beach, regularly load and unload 'beach stuff' (including a surfboard..) so this also is a possibility... even though I would not have imagined such a 'rattly' noise coming from a dirty seal... appreciate your prompt response... I'll post the outcome when it's done!
cheers!

PS if anyone else has ideas, please keep'em coming!... synergy!

Salt air+sand. 
Could well be.
Check my user name. 

[sundiz]

I had a rattle in my tail gate. Heard it every time I closet the tail gate. The license plate holder is not that firm, which caused the noise from the plate. Small strip of foam between the tail gate and license plate and the noise disappeared.

[guitarized]

Before you go any further, even though the rattle may not sound as if it's coming from there, wedge a piece of cloth in the latch and shut  it firmly. If the latch is at fault this will stop the noise, which you can then stop more or less permanently, by wrapping a bit of race tape/ gaffer tape around the hook the latch clips to.

Worked for me last month thanks to you =) Try thst first  believe me I've searched for hours and it was only because of this tiny thing 

[Dazzler]

  HOH

Don't panic about breaking a few plastic clips, they should be cheap as chips from your dealer or a car accessory place.

Unfortunately these noises can travel quite a way so the e eventual cause might surprise you!

I've had the rattly number plate in a previous car...

[happyoldhippy]

did that years ago, Sundiz... it's not that...

[ibrokeit]

Not going to be too much help re-the actual noise.   However there is a couple of photos I took when I removed the bottom (large) panel from my boot (while trying to figure out another issue - documented elsewhere in the forum).

There are two screws, the rest that hold it in should just pop out without breaking - from memory though I did use a large screw driver as a gentle lever at points.   Note there are two clip like pieces above where the screws are, basically where the inside side trim for the rear-window gets secured (at the bottom of the side trim to door - concealed under the large panel).

[eye30]

Check under the car i,e. Exhaust firm etc

Check the spare wheel comparment to make sue no loose things etc

Check the rubber bungs which you can screw up or down to make sure firm shut

 If all fails to remove noise, turn volume up on the radio 

[guitarized]

 

[beerman]

My rear number plate would rattle on occasions. I just bent it up a bit, and the noise went away 

[happyoldhippy]

Not going to be too much help re-the actual noise.   However there is a couple of photos I took when I removed the bottom (large) panel from my boot (while trying to figure out another issue - documented elsewhere in the forum).

There are two screws, the rest that hold it in should just pop out without breaking - from memory though I did use a large screw driver as a gentle lever at points.   Note there are two clip like pieces above where the screws are, basically where the inside side trim for the rear-window gets secured (at the bottom of the side trim to door - concealed under the large panel).

Helpful photos! thanks, ibrokeit!

[guitarized]

When I read your post I thougt you actually broke it 

[ibrokeit]

When I read your post I thougt you actually broke it