hatch back rattle 2002 cooper

[davidrothschild]

Read lots about dash rattles here. Actually, my dash is the only part of the car that doesn't rattle
Can't seem to find any solution to the problem listed below. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!



Hello friends,
I've recently purchased a 2002 Cooper. I love it!
The car seems to rattle quite a bit. Most of the rattling I can live with however the rattling coming from the hatch back on any roads other than smooth highways is way over the top and making me nuts!
As far as I can see there's no way to adjust the pressure in which the hatch closes except for the 2 rubber plugs on both sides of the hatch. After screwing these 2 knobs counter clockwise, the problem is somewhat helped, but the hatch doesn't close flush with the rest of the body.
After taking off the plastic near the lock, I noticed that there are 2 screws to adjust the lock for a tighter seal. They are already at there maximum, so that's not an option either.
The garage that I bought it from said that it probably comes from the rubber seal along the entire frame that was probably impregnated with something that's causing the hatch not to seal correctly. I think this is probably highly unlikely and the garage doesn't particularly want to help me in solving the problem although he did say that another cooper he sold had the same problem and was noisier than my rattle.
Is this a known problem with the 2002 version?
Any help would be greatly appreciated as I'd rather not have to go to the BMW-Mini dealer here in Amsterdam if avoidable.
Thank you very much.
Davidr

[Paul]

A quick fix is to wrap the latch "hoop" in tape, worked for us. Plenty on here, here's a few:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fi...ch-rattle.html
http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fi...ch-rattle.html
http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fi...ch-rattle.html

[davidrothschild]

Thank you Paul. After my original posting, I saw on the bottom of the screen related subjects and found the above links. Very interesting. I'll do some taping, greasing, and chair checks tomorrow.
One thing I was wondering about. What is the "standard" position for the 2 rubber screw things on both sides of the hatch back. At this point they're almost completely extended. The rattle is a little less but hatch is sticking out slightly from body of the rear end of the car.
I could try turning the rubbers clockwise and building up the latch hoop with tape.
Just wondering if you have any experience with the correct combination.
Going to BMW here for a new latch hoop seems like a potential expensive fix.
Many thanks.
David

[goonerij]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul (original)

A quick fix is to wrap the latch "hoop" in tape, worked for us.

Worked for us too.

[Silent1]

Quote: Originally Posted by davidrothschild (original)

Thank you Paul. After my original posting, I saw on the bottom of the screen related subjects and found the above links. Very interesting. I'll do some taping, greasing, and chair checks tomorrow.
One thing I was wondering about. What is the "standard" position for the 2 rubber screw things on both sides of the hatch back. At this point they're almost completely extended. The rattle is a little less but hatch is sticking out slightly from body of the rear end of the car.
I could try turning the rubbers clockwise and building up the latch hoop with tape.
Just wondering if you have any experience with the correct combination.
Going to BMW here for a new latch hoop seems like a potential expensive fix.
Many thanks.
David

The way i set it up was,

screw the 2 rubber stops in just enough so the hatch sits flush, then wrap the hook in quite a bit of electrical tape so it closes fully but feels tight.

[davidrothschild]

Thanks to all for your advise.
Amazing that I could solve the problem (even if only temporary) with one lousy piece of adhesive tape on the latch hook!
Wrapped up the rear seat door locks too although they didn't rattle.
Now I'm on to the right door rattle.
Love the car any way. Didn't realize they were so popular. There are 3 on my street and they seem to be all over the place.

[Buz999]

I sorted my hatch squeak by buying a new thicker latch from BMW cost all of £3 something and looks better than tape.

[mab01uk]

While your working on the tailgate please check your hinges for lubrication / stiffness on older MINIs or this could happen.............see thread below for easy prevention before hinges and roof are damaged.
http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fi...-shifting.html

[Dirkdaddy]

This is old thread, but my low mile 04 (29k mile) just developed cracking sound hatch noise. I checked spare and tools, etc must be the hatch. Called dealer for latch as recommended, they wanted $22.50 for a new latch, it has some sort of black rubber coating on it tech says. FYI>