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Rattly tailgate

Mastiff

1/2 ton status
 Premium
Joined
Jul 21, 2002
Posts
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Location
Tucson, AZ
Mine's not real bad, but sometimes it bangs around a bit, especially with the window down. Any tricks to snugging it up?
 
I need to do something tonight or tomorrow. I drove it a couple nights ago to a buddies house to do some welding, and the loud chirping, squeaking gate about drove me nuts.
 
Could it be as simple as the weather stripping being old? I noticed mine is pretty brittle and compressed. I'm going to check LMC and seem how much they get for a replacement. As far as I can see, it must be glued in place? Could be a PITA for installation.
 
Yes, I believe it is caused from the old weatherstripping being smashed down for 30 or so years! I deal with this same issue and that's the next step I will take. It rattles extremely bad if I get on the highway. For a temporary fix, I fold up some rags and shove them in the seam.. That typically holds it tight and quiets it down. But definitely not the right way to fix the issue.

Shane
 
I'm in the same boat on this. And my replacement weatherstripping is only 1 year old. Sure enough it doesn't put much force on the gate when closed. So I didn't get much life out of it. Mine was glued in with 3m weatherstrip adhesive. That was pretty easy.

I'm going to try and rig up some screw out adjusters similar to whats used on hoods. I think its about the only solution. The trick is finding a stiff enough rubber piece.
 
Those hood bumpers are a good idea. Never thought of that. They even make some that have a pretty thin head on them.
 
I just installed the new weatherstrip and the difference is huge. It's actually hard to close/open the gate because it's so tight. I can't say whether it will last. I was surprised that the catches for the latch on the body side do not appear to be adjustable. I expected oversized holes for that purpose.
 
Well Chevrolet I'm sure didn't sell these trucks new with rattling tailgates.. And since there aren't any adjustments, its sort of a red flag towards the weatherstripping, but that's just my 2 cents!:surepal: I know for a fact that mine is shot though because it leaks when it rains. So obviously it can't be holding it snug either
 
Agreed about when new, but there is a small amount of adjustment. The bolts are smaller than the holes in the plates.

The latches wear and the latch plates wear along with the weatherstripping.

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