Rear Hatch Squeek !!!

[hitman]

All right, I'm brand new to this site as I just recently purchased a used 2001 Explorer XLT AWD a week ago with just under 20,000 miles. I'm used to driving my '93 Mustang GT with 120,000 miles, so this Explorer is a great new and refreshing experience. I'm pretty much very satisfied with it except for a couple of nuisance "noises" that I only just now have found.

It seems that there is a "squeek" which eminates from somewhere near the rear hatch or the rear hatch window. I have inspected the weatherstripping, bolts, gas springs, etc., and have seen nothing apparently wrong. My questions for you are: 1) Is this a common occurance and is there anything I can do with it (or do I just live with it)? 2) I have about 16,000 miles left on the factory-warranty, should I take it in to the dealer for them to check it?

I also have noticed, with less frequency, a slight "rattle" which seems to come from the right front. It doesn't sound engine-related, but my guess is possibly something with the chassis. Ring any bells or ideas? Would this be another area for the dealer?

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[Campo]

Welcome to the site..

I would say if it's still under warranty, take it to the dealer and have them fix it.

My 99 had the rear hatch squeak, and I found that 2 of the interior panel retainers on the hatch had snaped and was causing it to squeak.

as far as the rattle mine does it only when I hit a bump or hole hard..

 

[Ray78]

I have a rattle on the front right of my 2000 XLT. I have traced it to the plastic trim that hangs from the bottom of the bumper. Mine is missing a bolt on the right side that I haven't gotten around to replacing yet.

 

[TPLYNCH]

My '99 has a squeak from the rear too. Haven't gotten around to tracking it down. Not loud enough yet that a little extra volume on the radio can't fix....

 

[Okrazie1]

Here's a post I made about the rear glass in my '99 making noise and how I fixed it.

 

[fireftr]

hatch squeek

I've got a '92 and don't know if your latching hardware is the same as mine, but you could try moving the adjuster for the door inwards (towards the front) to get the door to close a little tighter. This worked for me, after trying everything else...lubrication on the door seal, checking under plastic panel for loose stuff etc. Finally, I got energetic (and desperate) due to the annoyance, and loosened the round stud mounted in the door opening by unscrewing it slightly, then moved it forward. Went on a test drive, and WOW- silence! Mine just needed the right side done, but what a relief. Too bad I waited so long to take care of it. Hope this helps.

 

[JatZilla]

My '98 used to squeak a little in the front and more so in the rear, when going over speed bumps or other uneven surface at low speeds. I noticed this when the truck had less than 15k miles on it. When I recently changed the shock absorbers and put new polyurethane bushings in, the squeaking went away.