Liftgate Creaking

[-JD-]

So in the past two or three days my T4R has developed a terrible 'creaking' sound, that sounds like its coming from the rear liftgate. Whenever I'm on a bumpy surface or even on a paved road if I take an uphill turn (or any situation where there is a bit of flex) I get an abundance of creaking from the back.

Not sure exactly whats causing it, almost seems like the whole liftgate has somehow come loose. This is not a subtle noise either, its quite loud and quite annoying. I really dont intend to drive it around like this much longer so it will probably be at the dealer in the next couple days, but thought I would see if anyone here had any advice. If this is not fixable its definitely a dealbreaker as it drives me nuts just driving it for two days like this! I would compare it to the sound your finger makes rubbing on a freshly washed, but still wet, plate.

 

[harper7]

So in the past two or three days my T4R has developed a terrible 'creaking' sound, that sounds like its coming from the rear liftgate. Whenever I'm on a bumpy surface or even on a paved road if I take an uphill turn (or any situation where there is a bit of flex) I get an abundance of creaking from the back.

Not sure exactly whats causing it, almost seems like the whole liftgate has somehow come loose. This is not a subtle noise either, its quite loud and quite annoying. I really dont intend to drive it around like this much longer so it will probably be at the dealer in the next couple days, but thought I would see if anyone here had any advice. If this is not fixable its definitely a dealbreaker as it drives me nuts just driving it for two days like this! I would compare it to the sound your finger makes rubbing on a freshly washed, but still wet, plate.

One thing to check is your spare tire and mine was making a mysterious creaking noise last year.I thought it was the liftgate too as it's hard to track down since the noise transmits up thru the truck as the tire is rubbing on the body underneath. It's only held up by a chain.

When the temperatures start dropping, the tire pressure goes down just enough that the tire can move a little and make noise. Dropping the spare a few inches and winding it back up tight again fixed mine.......twice now.

 

[-JD-]

Hmmmmm. I went and checked and was pushing on the tire hard enough to rock the vehicle and it didn't budge....
I've heard the chain before, but its a very different sound. Maybe its related to the sliding tray??


Also, does anyone else get a different more chirp like rattle from their rear seats? My old 4runners used to do this as well if the seats had been folded down and weren't slammed back in place quite firmly, but I'm not sure what exactly is making the sound in my 5th gen. Is it the seat backs or the bottom cushions? or is it related to the recline mechanism....

 

[-JD-]

So I went to the dealer after having this problem and they put some lithium grease on the rubber contacts for the rear liftgate. Seemed to solve the problem but now its back with avengeance.

Am i really the only one having this problem? If so this worries me.

Even just driving down an alley I can hear it creaking away on every bump.

 

[NHinAK]

Buy a can of lithium grease (its cheap!!!!)and grease the rubber, lock mechanism, struts and hinges every oil change. I do that to all my doors and stay "creak" free.

 

[thirstyturtle]

So I went to the dealer after having this problem and they put some lithium grease on the rubber contacts for the rear liftgate. Seemed to solve the problem but now its back with avengeance.

Am i really the only one having this problem? If so this worries me.

Even just driving down an alley I can hear it creaking away on every bump.

You're not the only one! I've had this off and on for a year and just recently considered that it could be the liftgate. After really paying attention lately I'm 95% sure it is. I'm going to try some different things with the rubber contacts but in the end I'm damn near certain that's the sound.

Try something other than grease...any way to get some cloth in between the rubber and metal? I'll come up with something, I've fixed many a squeal in my time...

 

[Egstyle]

I also have some creaking coming from somewhere back there. I found that the rear interior plastic molded panel on the passenger side could be jiggled and gave off a squeak if I pushed and pulled on it. It is the panel that would hold the JBL subwoofer if you got that option, I did not.

I will try lowering and raising my spare to see if that was the issue.

 

[BigE]

Creaking in 5th 2011 Limited

I got the creaking too! Anyone have any luck? Seems to be when humidity/rain is present it's louder. Occurs when bumps/vehicle turning. Any help much appreciated cause it sucks! 19000 miles and had it for like the last 4000. Thanks

 

[1000MPH]

I sometimes get a creaky liftgate after a lot of trail use. It goes away after a good wash. I dunno maybe sand and dust under the rubber liftgate bumpers. also check the jack and tools.

 

[Etremo04]

I also got "that noise" long time ago. The dealer also put grease on the rubber contacts but didn't work, later they put some electrical tape arround the door striker and the sound has never come back. I don't know if they did something else but I doubt it.

...So put some electrical tape arround the door striker (image from google) making sure the door can lock properly (only where the lock assembly makes contact is enough).

Hope this help.

 

[BigE]

Thanks 1000MPH but have recently tried your solutions ie. white grease on tailgate stops. It actually sounds like a part of the frame or one of the body panels squeaking.

 

[BigE]

Extremo04 cool thanks! Gonna go try that right now! Will report back later!

 

[BigE]

Electrical tape worked! Thanks

 

[Reata]

All rattles, squeaks and sonic booms can be cured with a loud case of "Life in the Fast Lane" or AC/DC "Highway to Hell" at full blast. Of course after a while, your neighbors will look at you funny just like mine do....

P.S. JD, that's a fine looking truck BTW.

 

[Etremo04]

Electrical tape worked! Thanks

:bravo: Glad it worked out.