Tail Gate rattles

[Riznitch]

Need to figure out if im missing something. every time i hit a bump, it sounded like the tail gate wasnt closed all the way. As i investigated a notice that the left lower end of the gate that pivots off the body moves. The right side is snug and looks to have a bushing of somesort in the tail gate itself. Am i missing something on the left side or is it suppose to be like that for removal. If i am missing something, what is it called so i can find the part. Thanks for your help.

V/R
Rich

[Riznitch]

hmmm, pivot bushing? think i answered my own question.

[Ducky's Dad]

It's been about eight years since I had my tailgate off and the PW is not here right now, but my recollection is that the gate is loose in the pivots so that you can shift it sideways to remove it without tools. I have a torsion spring assist in it now and no rattles. You might just add another gasket around the gate where it bears against the body, and that should snug everything up when it compresses. Both of my trucks have shells on them and I drive a lot of dry dirt roads, so dust infiltration can be a problem. Don't remember the name, but there is a company that makes an extra thick tailgate gasket/weatherstrip designed to keep dust out. Probably available from Tractor Supply or 4WP. Have it on the GMC and it works like a champ.

[silver13]

Could it be your trailer hitch rattling around in your receiver? I know mine rattles sometimes over bumps.

[Stickman]

Yea, silver had the same idea as me. I thought the same thing when I left my hitch in the receiver the first time, then I realized the hitch has a lot of play in It when it sits in there. I'm thinking about wrapping a bunch of electrical tape around the front of it to keep it from rattling so much. Sounds the trucks falling apart over the wash board bumps I have on my road.

[azracer]

I have one in my wifes jeep not the truck but it works well and serves as a lock too.

Anti rattle hitch pin
http://www.amazon.com/Tow-Ready-63232-L ... +hitch+pin

I hear these work too although they are not a security lock.
http://www.amazon.com/TMS-Rocking-Stabi ... +hitch+pin

[Juday]

My last truck had a tailgate rattle. I remember taking electrical tape and wrapping it a few times around the latches. That snugged everything up nice and tight and I never heard a rattle again....