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So, I have this mystery dent in my rear gate. It could be from my 35" spare on the OEM mount, but I have seen others spot welds breaking, not dents forming. Just want to see what everyone thinks. Spare or something else?

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Something hit or smacked u. I don't see how the spare tire weight could have done that. Hmmmm thinking

 

Something totally hit you. I can't figure out what because of the crease but it's not from the spare.

 

I don't know. From that picture it looks like it could be a buckle from the weight of the spare.

 

you know Gary, after thinking about this, I don't think its from the spare weight. If it was, I would think the crease would be on the top hinge since the weight would be resisted there first

 

Typically that exact dent occurs when the spare tire drags or catches on the ground when climbing a steep incline. I have the same exact dent. It becomes super annoying when the tailgate begins to make a popping noise over every bump.

 

Any such events? I could see how this might occur if you took a hard enough hit but I've stood the JK up on the spare (aka rear stinger) a couple of times without any visible damage

 

Not sure what exact event your looking for. I was climbing a incline in Moab and drug the spare, it got caught on the lip of the first ledge as I popped up the second higher ledge. Other guys have gotten the same dent from similar situations.

You stood your Jk up on it's spare? Pics?

 

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Hmm, been all over the bumper, but not sure if I've ever bounced the spare off a rock or ground yet. Hope it can be popped out.

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I haven't had a professional look at mine but the problem with my dent and it appears yours also is that it is a crease and not really a dent. My plan is to either cover it with some type of skin or drill it out and pry it out. Like I said mine is very annoying going over cracks in pavement. I took the spare off since it was so annoying, doesn't make the noise for me when there is no weight on tailgate.