The tailgate does not like to be closed under pressure, ie. a tight latch. My tailgate was loose and rattled/squeaked so much I hoped for a rear end collision! I tried everything. Then I adjusted the striker plate at the bottom.
I pushed it in about 1/2 inch. Then I closed the tailgate, drove around the block and no more rattles. BUT. When I tried to open it, the handle would not catch. So, I pushed against the door, heard a little click, and the handle caught and the door unlocked. In a hurry, I left it like that for a week.
When I got tired of pushing against the rear hatch everytime I wanted to open it, I backed out the striker plate to 1/8th of an inch. Strange, still needed to push the door first. Moved the striker plate to its original position (never cleaned the dust off) and the same problem with the handle plus the squeak and rattle was back.
I was going to take the latch out of the door, but am stymied by the plastic connections on all of the rods. I am afraid of breaking one of them off. As soon as I get the guts to do this, and a few days without rain, I will let the board know what I know - if anything.

Klaus
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(V♂LV♂s 1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)