1997 965

On the way to work tonight, I noticed a rattle coming from the rear of the car. I think it is the tailgate. I will look further in the AM. Just curious if anyone has had this problem.

Volvo didn't plan on tailgate slammers. To compensate, drive sheet rock screws or self-tapping sheet metal screws (c. 1-1/4" to 1-3/4"), through the lower part of the tailgate's interior plastic panel covered by rug-like material. First, remove the interior panel and locate metal pillars inside the tailgate. Put small washers onto screw heads (for improved bearing on inside panel) and then drive them into the metal pillars. This secures the flimsy interior plastic panel if you drive 2-3 screws near the bottom. You looked inside first to avoid any wiring and mechanical parts, right?

And don't forget to remove this "enhancement" when you next need to get into the tailgate for wiring or rear wiper issues.

Chris in NE FL, 1994 945

Pursued an annoying rattle in my 940 estate tail gate for many years and eliminated all the nominated suspects with no luck. Our poor Aussie roads provided a constant reminder and constantly spoiled an otherwise relaxing drive.

Riding in the back and pushing with my feet against the tailgate, with my wife driving, helped solve the problem.

The tail gate closes into a 'V' shape receiver on both sides. This plastic receiver wears and becomes less snug. My solution was to make it a tighter fit.

Using an adhesive rubberised tape attached to the'V' solved my problem. To help adhesion it was necessary to lightly abrade the inside and outside of the 'V' and then wipe with a spirit.
I placed the tape so it formed an 'M', ie inside an outside surfaces of the 'V'.
Increased resistance will be felt when closing the tailgate.

Another potential source for a rattle, which I have not seen mentioned, is the wiper motor.Even when all is tight, it sits very close to the outside tailgate skin. The use of a plastic tie feed behind the motor eliminated this source.

Hope this is of help.
John H from Downunder

Heed Spook's caution about closing tailgates gently. Same goes for engine hood and doors. That said, a persistent rattle in the rear of my 945 turned out to be two loosened wiper motor mounting bolts. In your case, you might also look for loose components on the underside, e.g. exhaust system.

The rear-end rattle calls to mind a Detroit story of the autoworker who dropped a bolt into a beer can and taped it to the inside of a Cadlillac bumper on the assembly line. That blue collar worker wanted to get even with rich folk!

Chris in NE FL, '94 945 w/ 164K

Bolt in a beer can, that's rich! Anyway, gotta work the next four nights, so troubleshooting is on hold. I did poke around and find there is some sort of anti-rattle kit for the tailgate $9.00 approx from Tasca. When time and weather permits I will remove the panel and see what there is to see. Those darn supports, don't seem to last much more than 2-3 years. With the colder weather, gravity seems to have the upper hand. Thanks for the replies

The wiper motor does loosen up. One of mine had no bolts left installed at all so the motor was flopping around. This was from PO so not my lack of attention.
The PO had also driven screws through the interior trim without looking so almost hit the tailgate locking mech.
The kits to repair the panel are not so great. I am going to make one that will work, I've figured out the design and will post it when I do it, but that may take a while yet. Mostly it involves using metal instead of plastic to attach the top, and firm up the bottom.

JerryC

Thanks for the input about the kits, I was wondering about them, I was looking at how to secure the panel, but alas, no light bulb. I will continue to try and get my mind out of the box on this and hold off on the kit. Thanks again.

...dropped a bolt into a beer can and taped it to the inside of a Cadlillac bumper...

Ha! I've laid my own eyes on two miniature bottles inside a Chevy door panel, in the 70's. Never seen anything like that in a Volvo, though.

Have you seen the gorgeous graphic created by a member to warn against mistreatment of the hatch? I have one in the wife's 245.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

Dear darkdelta,

Hope you're well. The tailgate's interior panel fastener mountings - at the bottom - can break, if the tailgate can has been closed roughly. Some may slam the tailgate: instead of lowering the tailgate, so it closes gently, they will push down hard on it, so that it slams against the frame. Others, when the gas springs are weak, will simply let the tailgate fall, so that it slams against the frame.

When the interior panel fastener mountings - thin plastic - break, the panel can rattle when the car hits a bump.

Otherwise, the tailgate should not be a source of noise.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook