Strange rattle...can’t find the location

[Litfuse]

My Mojave began to have a rattle, what seems to be near the bed of the truck. It’s not a metal rattle, but sounds more hollow and a lower frequency. At first, I thought it was coming from an interior trim piece. Nope. I sat in the back seat while my wife drove it around. Next, I got under the Jeep and had my wife jump in the back of the bed while I laid under the Jeep. Not a sound. I can’t make it make a sound when it’s just parked. It will not make the sound when hitting a single bump, but when there are consecutive bumps in a row. It’s really strange. Anyone experience this as well?

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[Hootbro]

What side were you sitting on when in the back seat and did you hear it then?

My rear passenger side seat back rattles when latched upright. Have not had time to look into what it will take to fix that.

 

[Litfuse]

What side were you sitting on when in the back seat and did you hear it then?

My rear passenger side seat back rattles when latched upright. Have not had time to look into what it will take to fix that.

I was moving around, from the passenger side to the driver side. I’m going to try putting the seats down and see if they changes anything. I could swear when I was in the back seat that it was coming from the bed, but it really sounds like it is also coming from inside. Drives me crazy. Lol

 

[Hootbro]

Sound problems are tricky, especially inside cab ones. You can swear something is coming from one area and it is actually on the opposite sometimes.

Good luck.

 

[Hootbro]

I would also add now being on my second Gladiator and owning Wranglers with a hardtop and troubleshoot numerous squeaks, creaks and rattles, it helps to loosen all the hardtop mount screws and using a actual torque wrench start center position and crisscrossing out, properly torque each screw. Then lube the Freedom Top seals with silicone/dielectric grease. That eliminated 90% of the new vehicle rattles I have had with the interior.

 

[Litfuse]

I would also add now being on my second Gladiator and owning Wranglers with a hardtop and troubleshoot numerous squeaks, creaks and rattles, it helps to loosen all the hardtop mount screws and using a actual torque wrench start center position and crisscrossing out, properly torque each screw. Then lube the Freedom Top seals with silicone/dielectric grease. That eliminated 90% of the new vehicle rattles I have had with the interior.

I appreciate the advice. This is my seventh wrangler, but first hardtop. I could see how it could be the hardtop. The sound really came on once the weather turned cold. I’ll look up the torque specs and see if there are any loose bolts. Silicone grease is a good idea as well!

 

[PyrPatriot]

Following, seems I too have an intermittent rattle that goes away from my JT, sounds more like a metal creak rather than metal rattle, from the truck bed area.

 

[Hootbro]

I appreciate the advice. This is my seventh wrangler, but first hardtop. I could see how it could be the hardtop. The sound really came on once the weather turned cold. I’ll look up the torque specs and see if there are any loose bolts. Silicone grease is a good idea as well!

You want to loosen the fasteners on the hardtop regardless and retorque. This takes any uneven binding tension off and evenly sets the hardtop back down. Do not forget the two screws up top under the Freedom panel. Owners manual has location info under the hardtop removal and install to include the torque spec.

 

[Gvsukids]

My Mojave began to have a rattle, what seems to be near the bed of the truck. It’s not a metal rattle, but sounds more hollow and a lower frequency. At first, I thought it was coming from an interior trim piece. Nope. I sat in the back seat while my wife drove it around. Next, I got under the Jeep and had my wife jump in the back of the bed while I laid under the Jeep. Not a sound. I can’t make it make a sound when it’s just parked. It will not make the sound when hitting a single bump, but when there are consecutive bumps in a row. It’s really strange. Anyone experience this as well?

Stick a GoPro back there.

 

[Aberk]

Curios to hear what you find. I think I have a similar rattle that I haven't been able to locate.

 

[Cape taco12]

Something stuck between bed and cab?

 

[Hipbilly]

Check the Jack and wrench under the rear passenger seat, just in case.

Mine makes a buzzy rattle at luggy RPM over bumps, coming from the rear right side under the bed, it sounds like metal though.
I'm pretty sure its a heat shield somewhere but I've never taken the time to chase it.

 

[BLK HOLE]

Had something similar as described and it was a loose sway bar link. Something I couldn't reproduce with my hands or jumping in the bed.

 

[Litfuse]

Well, I’ve tried everyone’s suggestions and no luck. My search continues!

 

[Steel24]

I had a noise that sounded like rubber grinding. It was my exhaust hanger isolator. Near the rear passenger tire. A little grease and all good now.
these Gladiators really expand and contract due to temperature. I’ve had 14 different Jeeps. Squeaks and rattling drive me nuts but it’s a great feeling when you figure one out and move to the next.

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