kyledamron1 Posted May 15, 2018 Report Share Posted May 15, 2018 Hi everyone! So I've got the notorious rattle/banging noise coming from my tailgate latch and I wanted to get inside of the trim and investigate. I tried pulling it off with my trim tools... but it just doesn't want to budge. Is there anything specific I need to be removing/looking for to get the panel off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptjones Posted May 15, 2018 Report Share Posted May 15, 2018 Are you sure it isn't the license plate? :headscratch: Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obob Posted May 15, 2018 Report Share Posted May 15, 2018 FYI there is a problem TSB about the bumpers getting out of adjustment. Perhaps it is related. http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/733-rear-lift-gate-latch/page-2?do=findComment&comment=68538 ptjones 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyledamron1 Posted May 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2018 Pretty sure it isn't the plate. But I'll check! If you bang the plastic on the inside of the car, it definitely sounds like something is loose. Thanks for your help guys :) ptjones 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyledamron1 Posted May 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2018 Well, I removed the tailgate trim and was shocked by what I found... a legitimate piece of lumber hidden inside the tailgate! Not strapped or anything! That would explain the ruckus you'd hear when you open and closed the tailgate! obob and JAZ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowStorm Posted May 17, 2018 Report Share Posted May 17, 2018 So our C-Maxes are Woodies? I'd prefer the wood on the outside where you can enjoy the grain! What kind of wood was it? Did it appear to serve any purpose? kyledamron1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyledamron1 Posted May 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2018 It didn't appear to serve any purpose. It was just inside the liftgate, right at the bottom. I'm not really familiar with wood types... but I'd assume it is some sort of project wood. It has some red tint, but that's paint. I'd prefer the wood on the outside as well. I removed it. The banging is gone now. Hallelujah! ptjones 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homestead Posted May 18, 2018 Report Share Posted May 18, 2018 Check inside the wood for drugs, precious stones, etc : ) ptjones 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyledamron1 Posted May 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2018 Didn't find anything :( if I did find something I'd turn it into the police. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stolenmoment Posted May 18, 2018 Report Share Posted May 18, 2018 The first thing that I thought of was whether the liftgate still worked well; perhaps this was a counterweight... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyledamron1 Posted May 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2018 Seems to be working just fine. I'm not sure what it would be a counterweight for? It wasn't attached to anything. Maybe it was put in there by the previous owner to help hold in the liftgate controller that is loose? But I packed that down really well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestevens Posted May 18, 2018 Report Share Posted May 18, 2018 Is that structural support for lightweight sheet metal or has a small child been in the back of the car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyledamron1 Posted May 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2018 lol I mean I'm a small child... but I wouldn't have put wood back there. And definitely not structural support. Pull yours apart and see if it's there for you too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eas6144 Posted May 23, 2018 Report Share Posted May 23, 2018 Hi all - Hoping the original poster can add some helpful tips on how s/he removed the trim (where to start, where to finish, watch for plastic fastener cracking, etc. etc.). I have a set of trim removal tools (bought just for this purpose) because I hear an incessant rattling from the hatch on the driver's side that I feel I can probably fix. The OP said this was the "infamous" rattle - would be interested in hearing more. Who knows, I may find a 2x4 in my hatch as well. kyledamron1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyledamron1 Posted May 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2018 Step 1. Remove the trim around the rear window (It has a black plastic piece in the middle) Using a trim removal tool to remove this panel, it has one clip holding it in. It should be held up solely by the top of your tailgate trim.Step 2. Using your trim removal tool, slowly and gently find an area of the tailgate trim that feels "loose" and gently push up. There are around 7 or so clips holding the tailgate trim. As well as one electrical connector. This could vary if you don't have the power tailgate option. The clips are in the corners, as well as one in the middle where the trim curves. I'm missing the handle to close the gate manually, so you may have to remove that piece. Not entirely sure though. You will be hearing popping, but that is just the sound of the clips popping out of their joints. It's fairly easy to remove, just be gentle. It's a lot easier than the door handles as there aren't any screws to remove. I'm not sure if the order of the clips being popped out matters. I started out at the bottom of the hatch and moved around and then up. During this process, I supported the trim until I could remove the electrical connector. Hope this helps :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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