Rattle in the back

[hawker800mech]

I seem to have some sort of rattle from the back when going over bumps that is driving me crazy. It sounds like something loose in the storage trays. I don't have anything back there, though. It seems to occur more when it is cold outside. I saw that there is a service bulletin for rear hatch rattle but I can't open it. Anyone know anything about this?

[Peaty]

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7231

That's for the 06 but maybe you have a similar problem?

[hawker800mech]

Thanks. I had removed the "tool kit" from the back and listened to it better on the way to work this morning. It does sound more like rubber/hard foam rubbing on metal. Although, as per the bulletin, mine should be incorporated. I may try a dry lube on the seal or cover it with tape to see it it goes away.

[Rburks]

I seem to have some sort of rattle from the back when going over bumps that is driving me crazy. It sounds like something loose in the storage trays. I don't have anything back there, though.

Same issue here. I tracked it down to the middle seat belt that retracts into the roof when not in use. It does not seat tightly, so rattles, and that is our source. Check it out, it might be your issue.

Good luck, lets us know what you find.

[hawker800mech]

I found it. I road in the back and saw the hatch just bouncing around over all the bumps. It was coming from the left side, mid window area. Maybe it needs the hatch latch adjusted to bring it into the seal more. I just wonder if it is the bigger seal (tech SB) or not? Should be since it is an 07. They could have done a better job on installing the seal. It is bunched up (not seated well on the body) in the upper corners. I'm considering doing the adjustments myself since I hear such bad things from the dealers service dept in my area.

[hawker800mech]

I think I figured out what was making the noise today. It was the two rubber guide stoppers on both sides (mostly the left one) on the lift gate frame towards the bottom. On the lift gate are plastic tabs the wedge into the rubber pieces. Those two rubbing from the door moving/vibrating over bumps caused the noise. I put some talc on the rubber pieces and the noise went away.

I looked into rear lift gate adjustments in my service manual and it doesn't really seem like there are any.

[DubyaSTI]

Looks like my GF's Tribeca has developed this noise as well. We'll have to have that looked at during the next oil change.

[hawker800mech]

Looks like my GF's Tribeca has developed this noise as well. We'll have to have that looked at during the next oil change.

Bummer. I'm still trying to narrow it down to what is exactly causing the noise. I had my gas struts for the hatch replaced. Figured that they were not holding the hatch tight enough. Got better, but not gone. Was looking around it today and noticed that the left rubber bumper and plastic peice on the side of the hatch were not touching. The right side was. You have to get a flashlight and look through the gap. It's visible. I trimmed a large rubber washer to act as a shim for the plastic piece. They are touching each other now. I'll have to see if that does anything on the way to work in the morning. Let me know if yours aren't touching, either.

[hawker800mech]

Still had the noise in the back this morning, but it is reduced and a little less loud.

[hawker800mech]

Could the rattle be gone? Time will tell. After reading the rattle/noise problems with the LOB lift gate on another board got me back out into the garage. Their issue is different, though. Here are the details I've found so far:

-Only does it when it is cold outside - below 50F degrees.
-When the sun hits it and warms it up (even when cold) it goes away.
-Precipitation does not affect it.
-Silicone and talc powder on seals did nothing.
-New gas struts did not change it.
-Adjusted lift gate tighter to the body made it less noticable. You can hear it just shake around over bumps. It could use the two rubber cone bumpers that the Legacy's do.
-Shimmed plastic guide bumper on gate helped a little. Reduced lift gate movement.

I started lightly shaking the hatch with it just open and was getting the noise. I narrowed it down to plastic trim. I removed the side trim on the lift gate and shook it. Still noise. I removed the plastic screw from the top of the bottom trim and shook it. No noise. Reinstalled screw and shook it. No noise. So I thought that the screw was not holding the trim real tight and allowed it move a little over bumps and when the hatch would shake. So I had some adheasive backed 1/8" thick closed cell foam strips that I installed on the lift gate under the tab of the bottom trim where the screw go through. That should get it off the metal frame and help reduce the vibration, plus tighten it up. Put it all back together, took it out for a drive and it was very quiet in the back. I tried to do the other side as preventative maintenance, but found that the side trim refused to come off even after heating it up (it's in the 20's outside). So it will have to wait until it's warmer outside. I'll report back if it starts making noise again.

[JimHam]

I had (have) the same problem with my '08 7 passenger Tribeca. It was driving me NUTS! A brand new vehicle that costs this much shouldn't have rattles like this (unless it's a GM product...ouch!).

I tried everything...took the tool box lid out, took the tool box out, rode with the third row seats up, hooked up all the seat belts in the 3rd row...but no matter what I tried, it continued to rattle.

I hear the same kind of squeaking you mention when slowly closing the gate. I was thinking it might be the struts rubbing a bit, but it doesn't appear to be. I'm not sure if it's temperature related, as I've only owned the car since mid October and it's been relatively cool / cold since then.

I took it to the dealer to have them look at it and they've ordered a replacment seat belt housing for the middle seat in the second row (goes in the ceiling). They also ordered a new interior panel for the rear gate.

Since having it in for service, I did some more testing and was able to resolve the problem by putting a folded towel on the driver side floor of the rear tailgate area, so that when the door closes, the towel is wedged between the bottom of the tailgate panel and the bottom sill of the gate area. It's not pretty, but it's worked and I can now drive my new vehicle without going batty.

I take it to the dealer on Monday to have the new parts installed, so I'll let you know how it goes.

[hawker800mech]

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[JimHam]

The beat goes on...or should I say rattle?

The dealer replaced the housing for the second row, middle seat, seat belt. They also replaced all of the clips that attach the plastic interior to the tail gate. Much to my dismay, it's still rattling - and I'm not talking about just when I hit a pot hole. The rattling happens on all but the smoothest roads. The slightest undulation in the road will cause it to happen. I also hear it now when I'm making a turn.

I think it's an issue with the way the door and/or striker were installed. Something just isn't sitting properly. Does anyone have any info on how to adjust the tail gate or the striker? I have another appointment with the dealer for next Monday, but I may have time to this weekend to try and tweak it myself.

Any thoughts, insights, suggestions are much appreciated.

[hawker800mech]

The beat goes on...or should I say rattle?

The dealer replaced the housing for the second row, middle seat, seat belt. They also replaced all of the clips that attach the plastic interior to the tail gate. Much to my dismay, it's still rattling - and I'm not talking about just when I hit a pot hole. The rattling happens on all but the smoothest roads. The slightest undulation in the road will cause it to happen. I also hear it now when I'm making a turn.

I think it's an issue with the way the door and/or striker were installed. Something just isn't sitting properly. Does anyone have any info on how to adjust the tail gate or the striker? I have another appointment with the dealer for next Monday, but I may have time to this weekend to try and tweak it myself.

Any thoughts, insights, suggestions are much appreciated.

You will have to pull up the plastic trim on the bottom of the door frame. There are a couple bolts to loosen and move the striker. I would suggest making a few marks before adjustment in case you want to put it back in the original position. I adjusted mine to pull the hatch in a little tighter. It slightly improved. I, also, put in a few shims under the two plastic wedges on the side of the door so they would make contact with the rubber bumpers on the frame.

Does the noise go away as it gets warmer? Outside or inside. If it were cold outside, once I got it nice and toasty inside the noise would go away. If it does, it is probably the plastic trim rubbing on the door ever so slightly as I think I expained above.

[JimHam]

Thanks for the info and the suggestion to mark the original placement of the striker!

It was in the 60's here the past few days and I still heard the noise, so I don't think it's temperature related. It really sounds as if the door is loose on the striker and jiggling up and down as a result. Hopefully I'll get it sorted out soon, but it's driving me nuts that it's a brand new $32K vehicle and I'm headed to the dealer for the third time to have them fix it.

[hawker800mech]

it's driving me nuts that it's a brand new $32K vehicle and I'm headed to the dealer for the third time to have them fix it.

I know! That's what I kept saying. Good luck!

[JimHam]

Just returned from a 3 hour visit to the dealer and it looks like "problem solved" ... at least as far as my journey from the dealer back to work. While I waited, I watched the tech come and go about a 10 times, trying to get to the bottom of things and eventually, it seems that he did.

It turned out to be an issue with one of the housings for the lights inside the driver's side tail light unit. The service manager told me that they had to put some insulation / padding around one of the lights that make up the tail light unit.

Maybe the guy who was putting together may car was having a bad day and forgot a couple pieces. ;-)

Hopefully this will resolve things once and for all and if I can get my heater situation figured out, I'll be a happy Subaru owner once again.

[bbell5]

Guys, I am also victim to the rattle at the hatch. It is driving me and my wife bonkers!!!! I took it in to the dealer and they said the striker needed to be re-aligned, but it hasn't improved. I am going to sit back there and observe while my wife drives, and borrow my neighbor's (doctor) stethoscope.

I am very frustrated that I spent that amount of money on a vehicle that rattles. Our other vehicle is a Toyota Tacoma that rattles like crazy, and I thought I would have some peace with this Tribeca. I am disappointed so far. The front half of the car is so quiet and enjoyable! Someone please tell me there is a fix to this!!! I will try the shims and possible DIY striker re-alignment that is noted in posts above, but am looking for more suggestions.

Has anyone tried removing all of the interior trim from the hatch to see if that is what is causing the problems?

[hawker800mech]

Guys, I am also victim to the rattle at the hatch. It is driving me and my wife bonkers!!!! I took it in to the dealer and they said the striker needed to be re-aligned, but it hasn't improved. I am going to sit back there and observe while my wife drives, and borrow my neighbor's (doctor) stethoscope.

I am very frustrated that I spent that amount of money on a vehicle that rattles. Our other vehicle is a Toyota Tacoma that rattles like crazy, and I thought I would have some peace with this Tribeca. I am disappointed so far. The front half of the car is so quiet and enjoyable! Someone please tell me there is a fix to this!!! I will try the shims and possible DIY striker re-alignment that is noted in posts above, but am looking for more suggestions.

Has anyone tried removing all of the interior trim from the hatch to see if that is what is causing the problems?

Mine was due to the plastic trim. It is described in post #10 above.

[JimHam]

I had the same issue and it was driving me nuts. I tried to remedy it myself, but with no luck. So, after multiple visits to the dealer - including a three hour stint - I'm happy to say it has been fixed. According to the service manager, it turned out to be a loose housing on one of the tail lights that is in the lift gate assembly (Post #17). So, if you want to try and take care of it yourself (assuming it's the same issue), you have to pull off the interior panel of the lift gate and figure out which light is rattling. They told me that there was a piece of insulation missing around one of the light housings. I'm happy to report that it solved my problem and I'm not going crazy driving my new, $32K, Tribeca. Hope that helps.

[thebluedream]

:eek: :eek: :wave: Well for on my 06 I had a rattle noise in the rear, it turned out that the rear door actuators and some components had a recall. Took it to the dealer had the actuators replaced and havent heard any noise since.

[bbell5]

An update on my rattle- I found that 75% of the noise was coming from the tire jack rod that raises/ lowers the jack. It is not seated well in the tray under the rear floor board. My tailgate still rattles a bit, and I am going to take it in to see what they dealership can do...

[Magic Marker]

:eek: :eek: :wave: Well for on my 06 I had a rattle noise in the rear, it turned out that the rear door actuators and some components had a recall. Took it to the dealer had the actuators replaced and havent heard any noise since.
Was this recall for 06 AND 07?

[hawker800mech]

Was this recall for 06 AND 07?

It was for the 06's. But they honered it on my 07, but it didn't improve much. Still very weak in cold weather with the new ones.

[bbell5]

JimHam- looks to be the same issue you experienced. I took the Tribeca to the dealership on Friday during a day off and dropped it off. They looked at it and called me to say it was the spare tire. I knew that wasn't the problem, so when I went back up there at 5pm the mechanics were gone, so I took my salesman and another savvy employee out for a spin. They did agree that is was still rattling, and one of the guys must have read this posting because he went in the office and got some towels and laid one on each side of the lift gate. Closed the lift gate on the towels creating some compression- and PROBLEM SOLVED! So it sounds like it may be the same issue you are experiencing. Now that we know where the problem is coming from I have to take it back in next week and they have to find a solution. I am going to print out these postings, and hopefully they will find that it is a tail light in the lift gate as you have noted. JimHam- do you mind telling me the name of the dealer that serviced yours and the name of the technician if you have it so my dealership can call them if they need to? You can send me a private message on this site or email me at bbell5@bellsouth.net (bbell5@bellsouth.net) if you don’t want to post publicly. Thanks again for your help!

[agam]

JimHam- looks to be the same issue you experienced. I took the Tribeca to the dealership on Friday during a day off and dropped it off. They looked at it and called me to say it was the spare tire. I knew that wasn't the problem, so when I went back up there at 5pm the mechanics were gone, so I took my salesman and another savvy employee out for a spin. They did agree that is was still rattling, and one of the guys must have read this posting because he went in the office and got some towels and laid one on each side of the lift gate. Closed the lift gate on the towels creating some compression- and PROBLEM SOLVED! So it sounds like it may be the same issue you are experiencing. Now that we know where the problem is coming from I have to take it back in next week and they have to find a solution. I am going to print out these postings, and hopefully they will find that it is a tail light in the lift gate as you have noted. JimHam- do you mind telling me the name of the dealer that serviced yours and the name of the technician if you have it so my dealership can call them if they need to? You can send me a private message on this site or email me at bbell5@bellsouth.net (bbell5@bellsouth.net) if you don’t want to post publicly. Thanks again for your help!
hey i know you :) haha
well i thought I'd post here about the trunk rattle as well.. the dad's 08 tribeca has been perfect, but its also plagued with the infamous hatch rattle AND since its a seven passenger, it also has the 2nd row rattle :mad:.

22Bkeeper on NASIOC posted this for the 2nd row vibration

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20793614&postcount=8

can anyone explain this for us "visual learner" out there?:confused: the tribeca is simply an awesome car, but after noticing these little rattles on a 37k car, its annoying as hell. Does anyone know if SOA is working on a TSB for the hatch rattle and the 2nd row vibration in the 7 pax 08 tribecas?

[bbell5]

Agam! That is funny, I figured you had stumbled upon this forum at some point or another.

Maybe the dealership can petition SOA for a TSB on these issues? Just think- you could be the reason they release a bulletin! I am going to try to take it in this week, but it may be early next week. Are you going to get the dealership to work on your father's hatch rattle? Maybe you can be the guinea pig and then I can get mine fixed next ;)!

I just went to the SOA website and sent a message about the issue. I will let you know if I get a response.

[newskates]

Nothing posted since January. Did these solutions work, I hate rattles in cars thats why i buy Subarus. I have had my car to the dealer 7 times for this problem, they have replaced everything. Is everyone here fixed or did you get rid of the car

[JimHam]

Yep, my rattle was fixed. As I recall, it was a problem with the insulation in one of the tail light housings. The service tech spent over three hours (on my third visit to have it fixed) and finally figured it out.

[newskates]

Jim

What is the name of the dealer in Jersey. I am in PA and would like to take my car there for this problem

[McGurk]

I too am suffering from an annoying rattle inside the liftgate. I had the rubber strip put on the bottom on one of my last routine trips in ('06) and it has been quiet until about 2 months ago. I am going to check the light housings after I get my wife to drive while I site in the hatch area and try to pinpoint which side it is coming from. Will post results if they are helpful.