Anyone having issues with a rattle in the rear hatch?

2012-370Z · 11-24-2012, 11:10 AM

I have a rattle coming from the window frame in the rear hatch. It's driving me crazy! I've had it to the dealer twice and it's still not fixed. Most recently I took it to the dealer they said it was fixed which it was not. They said they "took it for a spin to test it", when I checked the odometer I noticed they drove it 22 miles for their "test" and it's still not fixed. I'm thinking all they did was joy ride my car and never fixed anything. Ticked! Anyone else have this issue and a solution for fixing it?

scottIN · 11-24-2012, 12:01 PM

What kind of rattle? metal-metal? metal-plastic? plastic-plastic? certain RPM's? rattle? buzz?

I've got buzz or two-definitely plastic to plastic. Think it's from uninstalling & reinstalling my rear plastics + my exhaust. This winter I'm going to strip it all out & put some electrical tape anywhere there is plastic to plastic contact. And didn't have any issues until I put in my FI exhaust and cats - they just shake the crap out of everything.

2012-370Z · 11-24-2012, 12:28 PM

Sounds like plastic on plastic. The rattle is coming from the top of the window frame in the rear hatch. I can reach back while sitting in the driver seat and tap on the top of the window frame to recreate the rattle. It happens when certain low frequency bass comes out of the stereo or when driving over rough road surfaces. The dealer said they put some padded tape in the area but it clearly hasn't improved the issue.

280z/300zx · 11-24-2012, 12:55 PM

Common problem unfortunately with the Z. Common culprits are the rear latch for the trunk, loose body panel, or sometimes there is a missing rubber grommet. If you open your trunk and look at the sides there are two clear quarter size grommets. In some cases one was missing causing the hatch to not close fully. You can adjust the latch (although kind of a pain to do) to make the trunk close more snug. Lastly, check all the body panels for loose or broken fittings.

Honestly, my 2010 Nismo has a bit of a rattle and has since near the time I bought it. Only happens in the winter when it's cold. In the summer when things expand a bit it's not there. Same with a shifter rattle. Considering it's only cold here 3 months out of the year I just deal with it.

Trips · 11-24-2012, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2012-370Z

Sounds like plastic on plastic. The rattle is coming from the top of the window frame in the rear hatch. I can reach back while sitting in the driver seat and tap on the top of the window frame to recreate the rattle. It happens when certain low frequency bass comes out of the stereo or when driving over rough road surfaces. The dealer said they put some padded tape in the area but it clearly hasn't improved the issue.

I would remove the plastic trim around the hatch and see if by removing the top part of trim is causing it. Yea I know the dealer should be doing it since its under warranty and all but at least you could just narrow it down, it maybe something rubbing the inside of the trim

Here's a DiY on how to remove it but keep in mind if you have to remove the two 10mm bolts to pop it off, there is one bolt on each side once it pops off? The two side pieces as well as the center piece pop of also. Not a complicated thing to do just reverse the process when your all done. I hope it helps

DIY installation of genuine factory rear spoiler....

SouthArk370Z · 11-24-2012, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2012-370Z

Sounds like plastic on plastic. The rattle is coming from the top of the window frame in the rear hatch. I can reach back while sitting in the driver seat and tap on the top of the window frame to recreate the rattle. It happens when certain low frequency bass comes out of the stereo or when driving over rough road surfaces. The dealer said they put some padded tape in the area but it clearly hasn't improved the issue.

Try using small pieces of foam, folded paper, &c to put a slight "bind" on the panel in different spots. Slip it between the plastic and metal. That should help you locate the problem area and just maybe (don't hold your breath) the dealer will actually fix it.

PS: Your warranty is with Nissan, not the dealer. Find a more cooperative dealer if you keep having problems with the current one. I fired the dealer I bought my Z from and now use another.

2012-370Z · 11-24-2012, 02:05 PM

Thanks for the suggestions guys. At this point I think I'll try to fix it myself. If not I'll try another dealer.

SPOHN · 11-24-2012, 02:33 PM

Take hatch off then you will have a Del Sol.

cinellipro · 05-03-2014, 07:39 PM

I am also having the rattle problem in the hatch. It seems to be emanating from the latch and it only happens over bumps in the road. I have removed the jack tools and spare to rule out other possibilities and it's still happening.
One thing I noticed from outside is that I press the hatch and it can be pushed down about a half an inch bouncing back up. When I try this on my wife's VW there's no play or bounciness. I'm thinking that the rubber weatherstripping is the culprit. My weatherstripping is not cracked, but it is squishy. Should it be stiffer? Has anyone had this problem?
Not sure if I should just replace the hatch weatherstripping or add an additional weatherstripping running next to the OEM along the back.
Thanks.
Cheers.

SouthArk370Z · 05-03-2014, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cinellipro

... It seems to be emanating from the latch and it only happens over bumps in the road. ...

Do you have to push the hatch release button more than once or have to pull up on the hatch while pushing on the button to get past the catch? If so, you may fall under the TSB that was issued for the two hatch springs. I forget what Nissan calls them but it's the two black "nubs" on the bottom side of the hatch, about halfway down each side.

cinellipro · 05-03-2014, 08:04 PM

I removed the weight from the hatch a couple of years ago. This noise has become apparent in the last few months. The hatch pops up as soon as I press the button once. I then have to manually lift the hatch from there.
I see the two springs (nubs) on the sides of the hatch just behind the gas liftgate shocks, and I'm sure the springs affect the play on the hatch. I can press them, but not sure how stiff they should be.

I'm also wondering if the hatch itself should have weatherstripping. The weatherstripping on mine is on the body, not the hatch.

kenchan · 05-03-2014, 08:17 PM

No noise on mine. Adjust striker possible?

Zerocool · 05-03-2014, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPOHN

Take hatch off then you will have a Del Sol.

great idea!

cinellipro · 05-03-2014, 09:09 PM

Just did the penny insert recommendation on the two hatch spring. However, I used a nickel and rubber washer. Hatch pops up a little quicker, but it did not eliminate the noise.
Then started tapping on the black part of the bumper that meets with the weatherstripping and noticed it rattles a bit on the metal it touches. Put a strip of Dynamat between the two. Will need to take it for a quickie test drive to see if it worked.

cinellipro · 05-03-2014, 09:11 PM

The Dynamat helped but did not cure the problem. Although improved, there's still a plastic rattle that occurs over bumps.

11-24-2012, 11:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
2012-370Z Base Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 20 Drives: 2012 Red 370Z Rep Power: 13	Anyone having issues with a rattle in the rear hatch? I have a rattle coming from the window frame in the rear hatch. It's driving me crazy! I've had it to the dealer twice and it's still not fixed. Most recently I took it to the dealer they said it was fixed which it was not. They said they "took it for a spin to test it", when I checked the odometer I noticed they drove it 22 miles for their "test" and it's still not fixed. I'm thinking all they did was joy ride my car and never fixed anything. Ticked! Anyone else have this issue and a solution for fixing it?

11-24-2012, 02:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 46 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 222	Take hatch off then you will have a Del Sol. SouthArk370Z, Super Werty, Ghostvette and 1 others like this. __________________

05-03-2014, 09:11 PM	#15 (permalink)
cinellipro Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: florida Posts: 102 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 14	The Dynamat helped but did not cure the problem. Although improved, there's still a plastic rattle that occurs over bumps. Last edited by cinellipro; 05-03-2014 at 09:45 PM.

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11-24-2012, 12:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
scottIN Track Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Castle, Indiana Posts: 764 Drives: '12 370Z Rep Power: 55	What kind of rattle? metal-metal? metal-plastic? plastic-plastic? certain RPM's? rattle? buzz? I've got buzz or two-definitely plastic to plastic. Think it's from uninstalling & reinstalling my rear plastics + my exhaust. This winter I'm going to strip it all out & put some electrical tape anywhere there is plastic to plastic contact. And didn't have any issues until I put in my FI exhaust and cats - they just shake the crap out of everything.

11-24-2012, 12:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
2012-370Z Base Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 20 Drives: 2012 Red 370Z Rep Power: 13	Sounds like plastic on plastic. The rattle is coming from the top of the window frame in the rear hatch. I can reach back while sitting in the driver seat and tap on the top of the window frame to recreate the rattle. It happens when certain low frequency bass comes out of the stereo or when driving over rough road surfaces. The dealer said they put some padded tape in the area but it clearly hasn't improved the issue.

11-24-2012, 12:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
280z/300zx Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Nevada Posts: 689 Drives: 280z, 300zx, Vette Rep Power: 273	Common problem unfortunately with the Z. Common culprits are the rear latch for the trunk, loose body panel, or sometimes there is a missing rubber grommet. If you open your trunk and look at the sides there are two clear quarter size grommets. In some cases one was missing causing the hatch to not close fully. You can adjust the latch (although kind of a pain to do) to make the trunk close more snug. Lastly, check all the body panels for loose or broken fittings. Honestly, my 2010 Nismo has a bit of a rattle and has since near the time I bought it. Only happens in the winter when it's cold. In the summer when things expand a bit it's not there. Same with a shifter rattle. Considering it's only cold here 3 months out of the year I just deal with it.

11-24-2012, 02:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
2012-370Z Base Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 20 Drives: 2012 Red 370Z Rep Power: 13	Thanks for the suggestions guys. At this point I think I'll try to fix it myself. If not I'll try another dealer.

05-03-2014, 07:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
cinellipro Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: florida Posts: 102 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 14	I am also having the rattle problem in the hatch. It seems to be emanating from the latch and it only happens over bumps in the road. I have removed the jack tools and spare to rule out other possibilities and it's still happening. One thing I noticed from outside is that I press the hatch and it can be pushed down about a half an inch bouncing back up. When I try this on my wife's VW there's no play or bounciness. I'm thinking that the rubber weatherstripping is the culprit. My weatherstripping is not cracked, but it is squishy. Should it be stiffer? Has anyone had this problem? Not sure if I should just replace the hatch weatherstripping or add an additional weatherstripping running next to the OEM along the back. Thanks. Cheers.

05-03-2014, 08:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
cinellipro Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: florida Posts: 102 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 14	I removed the weight from the hatch a couple of years ago. This noise has become apparent in the last few months. The hatch pops up as soon as I press the button once. I then have to manually lift the hatch from there. I see the two springs (nubs) on the sides of the hatch just behind the gas liftgate shocks, and I'm sure the springs affect the play on the hatch. I can press them, but not sure how stiff they should be. I'm also wondering if the hatch itself should have weatherstripping. The weatherstripping on mine is on the body, not the hatch.

05-03-2014, 08:17 PM	#12 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	No noise on mine. Adjust striker possible?

05-03-2014, 09:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
cinellipro Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: florida Posts: 102 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 14	Just did the penny insert recommendation on the two hatch spring. However, I used a nickel and rubber washer. Hatch pops up a little quicker, but it did not eliminate the noise. Then started tapping on the black part of the bumper that meets with the weatherstripping and noticed it rattles a bit on the metal it touches. Put a strip of Dynamat between the two. Will need to take it for a quickie test drive to see if it worked.