2012 Yukon Denali rattling (with video)

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

OP
OP
J

jyi786

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2016
Posts
412
Reaction score
220
You know what, looks like there is definite truth to this.

Yesterday I got my truck back from the dealer. I promptly went around the rear to check this, and what do you know: the plastic applique above the rear lights are wobbly and I can make them audibly rattle just by jiggling them about.

How do I go about removing these so that I can secure them better?
 

dreww2001

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2016
Posts
206
Reaction score
88
Location
STL
You know what, looks like there is definite truth to this.

Yesterday I got my truck back from the dealer. I promptly went around the rear to check this, and what do you know: the plastic applique above the rear lights are wobbly and I can make them audibly rattle just by jiggling them about.

How do I go about removing these so that I can secure them better?
You have to take the tail light out then there is 2 or three screws holding it in place then you un screw them and pull out the piece and i got some tape from Target that was meant to keep rugs from moving so any thick tape will work and you tape it on the broken clip i'll post pics when i get out of school!
 

Darin

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jan 26, 2017
Posts
5
Reaction score
5
I had the same rattle on my Denali, took forever to find but it's the panel above taillights on both sides. Bottom clip is broke. Put thick piece of double side tape between broken tab and glass. Fixed it, problem is now I can find a part number to order new panels. If anyone knows where to order them post it please. Took two years of pulling seats and riding in back to fix now I want new parts!
 

dreww2001

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2016
Posts
206
Reaction score
88
Location
STL
I had the same rattle on my Denali, took forever to find but it's the panel above taillights on both sides. Bottom clip is broke. Put thick piece of double side tape between broken tab and glass. Fixed it, problem is now I can find a part number to order new panels. If anyone knows where to order them post it please. Took two years of pulling seats and riding in back to fix now I want new parts!
I had my buddy who owns a body shop quote me $250 so it was probably close to cost not worth it to me, the $5 does the job!
 

Ghost10

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2017
Posts
620
Reaction score
256
lol this reminds me when a I friend hit me up because his gmc Sierra kept making a rattle sound. he has a topper on the bed so I went back there while he drove around, finally after 2 hours I found the source! it was a small. piece of weather stripping that came off the back window between the cab and bed and it was twirling in the wind LOL what a night that was! p. s before he called me he tried to source it for days.
 
OP
OP
J

jyi786

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2016
Posts
412
Reaction score
220
Update to this:

It happens so infrequently now that it's not a bother anymore. It's not eliminated; it does still occur, but not like in the video at all. Happens maybe 3-5% of the time now.

It was definitely a combination of things: the bad, unbalanced tires/wheels, that taillight trim, and the roof racks. I took care of the tires and tightened down the roof rack, and it's silent for the most part.

As soon as I get some time this spring/summer, I will definitely pull off that trim above the taillight and eliminate the rattling completely.
 

arcticsilver

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jun 11, 2010
Posts
5
Reaction score
0
For 3 years I looked for a bad rattle in our 2012 Yukon that seemed to be speed and not bump related. I climbed under and checked spare, brakes, exhaust line all lines, jacks, etc, spending hours under and all over the car. I checked the tail light as suggested by some, all to no avail. THEN a friend in the passenger seat suggested the roof rack! 3 years ago I had hauled 1000-2000 lbs of lumber on the rack for my son. The rack is strong enough for this with no problem, but the cross bars do flex which distorted the plastic brackets mounting them on the rails. They are also shaped like wings which make them move (rattle) with wind speed! Removing the cross bars, adding 2 layers of duct tape (under the plastic so it won't show) and replacing the small (original) sheet metal screws with a little larger stainless screws solved this 3 year aggravation! For thiose wqith winbd related rattles, have a look at the roof cross members!
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,366
Posts
1,866,807
Members
96,989
Latest member
Mreedini
Top