Spare Wheel Carrier Rattle

[WingnutNZ]

The other day I managed to back my '97 Surf into a mid 80s Merc (Doh!!) There would have been minimal damage if the spare tyre hadn't hit the bonnet of the Merc first, crumpling it and smashing the front grill. Oh well thats life.

My problem is that there is now a real solid rattle coming from the top hinge of the spare tyre carrier whenever I go over a bump in the road. Anyone who has driven on NZ roads will know that this will drive you crazy after just a few kilometers.

Can anyone advise on how to fix this problem before I am driven (ha ha) to distraction.

[Andy]

I think you will need to remove the carrier and take it to an engineering shop to get the pins out, then maybe they could make some bushes to take up the slack.

[WingnutNZ]

Thanks for the prompt reply.

I was thinking that this option would be too expensive but I have suddenly realised that I am paying the excess on my insurance for the repairs to the Merc anyway so why not claim this as well.

I will let you know what the outcome is.