My 01 GT Forester has developed an irritating now infuriating rattling noise in somewhere in the tailgate. Any ideas appreciated.

Grease the bumper/alignment pads where the hatch lays against the body. Make sure the small springs haven't broken.

If the noise is within the door itself, loosen the interior panel (remove a few of the lower snap off clips) and feel around for anything you can "rattle" by hand.

Take off the entire panel if you are sure it's coming from this area and use bits of foam to quiet the bugger wherever a piece may be jangling your nerves.

If all else fails, turn up the radio.

Before you start tearing things apart, check your license plate. I had an annoying rattle from the rear that I actually had back to the dealer because I was convinced it was up above the roof liner. It was still there after the dealer checked it out. I got on my back in the rear of the wagon and rapped on the roof and could get it to vibrate but still couldn't track it down. Finally my wife, who was watching me from outside the car, tracked it down to the plate. I removed the dealer's frame and now it's quiet.