Rattle in back of ML
 

My 02 320 has developed a rattle in the back, it sounds like the rear hatch. Can the strike plate be adjusted so the hatch closes tighter.

Common problem is the rear latch
 

Probably requires a new part.

I don't know about the actual strike plate, but my 99 ML 320 has two adjusting posts (one on each side) that govern how tightly the door latches. They are black plastic threaded cylinders with a straight slot in them. You can turn them with a blade screwdriver. I backed them out just a bit to tighten up the fit.

I recently replaced the rear latch assembly on my '98 with the updated design, hoping that it would eliminate the rattle and keep me from having to back out the bump-stops every few months, but no luck, it still rattles. It may be a little less, but it's still there, dammit.

Screwing out the bump stops does work, but you really have to slam the hatch to get it to close, and the rubber gets compressed after a few months, so you have to do it again. It's better than listening to the rattle, I suppose.

An inexpensive repair (the dealer would probably do as well) is a $10 felt strip, cut into several pieces and affixed to the inside of the hatch well.