I have a 96 XJ. the rear hatch is about to make me crazier than I already am. Just ask my friends

I have adjusted the latch mechanism to no avail. It keeps rattling! Will replacing the struts get rid of the issue?

 

no, has to be latch adjustment or something in the hatch

 

did you remove the plastic hatch cover thingy and check to see if the latch is still tight to the hatch. Be careful cause you will probably break the plastic retainers

 

Quoted for truth!!

 

From years of use the loop that the gate hooks into tends to wear out, cheap fix duct tape around the loop

 

I'm going to try bending the catch a lil bit and see if that works, if not I'm trying the duct tape.

 

Let me know how it works cause my 98's about to drive me nuts. I almost don't wanna listen to my subs cause it rattles so bad

 

Open hatch, locate the rubber stops, pull off the rubber part, adjust bolt under it two turns out on each side, put rubber stops back on, close hatch.

 

You can “beef up” the hatch weather seal by putting a small slit in it, lube the inside with silicone, and then pull a piece of tight-fitting silicone hose through it. Or replace the weather seal with a new one.

However, the real problem is the area of the hatch lid that has the latching mechanism on it. The sheet metal is thin, so even if you have tight seals, the added force against the latch flexes the sheet metal and you still have a rattle.

The only correct way I can see to fix this is to back the sheet metal in the hatch with more metal.

 

DING DING DING! Diesel u are the stuff! That worked, no noise except for tools now

My girlfriend thanks you too

 

I replaced the bumpstops on mine too.