Rattles in doors/dash
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: College Station TX
Rattles in doors/dash
These keep getting worse.... :( I have a rattle in each door and one that sounds like its from behind the radio (and maybe one form my dash area, hard to tell). Does anyone know what I can look for if I dig in to see what is rattling? It has been doung it for some time (especially the passenger door) but its gotten much louder lately. I also have no idea how to get into the dash or radio area, but I can borrow a factory service manual. Any input will be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 12,182
Likes: 1
From: Partying with the Cowboys cheerleaders in Mt. Olive, New Jersey
Re: Rattles in doors/dash (Rearview)
Could very well be the window bumpers loose/lost. I don't believe it's that hard to open the door panels. You're right, just need the shop manuels to start you off.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Rattles in doors/dash (Rearview)
When I had to recently replace the driver's door window regulator I took the opportunity to install the MAD quieting kit into each door.
You can essentially do the same thing with some foam tape. Wrap some tape around anything that can rattle.
You can essentially do the same thing with some foam tape. Wrap some tape around anything that can rattle.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 28
From: South Riding VA
Re: Rattles in doors/dash (Rearview)
I've got one in the dash too...somewhere behind the radio or under the pass airbag. If/when you find out what was rattling, post your results to help the rest of us. I may dig into my dash next week when I get some time...I'll let you know what I find.
Mike
96 CE, Stock
Mike
96 CE, Stock
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 0
From: Jupiter Florida
Re: Rattles in doors/dash (Rearview)
I've been on a rattle/squeak hunt for months and here's what I've found works;
Hardware stores carry sheets of little sticky-back felt dots. I keep 'em in the car. Whenever I hear a new rattle, I pull over and take things apart until I see a place where plastic-on-plastic contact wear is evident. One or two dots later, problem solved. I got this idea after seeing how my girlfriend's Camry had been assembled with those little felt dots everywhere. Problem areas for me are the instrument cluster/lens, and the defrost vent bezel thingy. Beating the dash with my fist will usually expose one or the other as the culprit. I get noise from the interior only on the roughest surfaces now, eventually I should be able to drive off a ten-story parking ramp and hear nothing.
Hood squeaks were also masquerading as interior noise. Lubing all contact points took care of those. I used (dare I say it) FoMoCo grease because it's black. Can't even see it.
[Modified by rocketfinger, 9:24 PM 3/28/2002]
Hardware stores carry sheets of little sticky-back felt dots. I keep 'em in the car. Whenever I hear a new rattle, I pull over and take things apart until I see a place where plastic-on-plastic contact wear is evident. One or two dots later, problem solved. I got this idea after seeing how my girlfriend's Camry had been assembled with those little felt dots everywhere. Problem areas for me are the instrument cluster/lens, and the defrost vent bezel thingy. Beating the dash with my fist will usually expose one or the other as the culprit. I get noise from the interior only on the roughest surfaces now, eventually I should be able to drive off a ten-story parking ramp and hear nothing.
Hood squeaks were also masquerading as interior noise. Lubing all contact points took care of those. I used (dare I say it) FoMoCo grease because it's black. Can't even see it.
[Modified by rocketfinger, 9:24 PM 3/28/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
Re: Rattles in doors/dash
This was my biggest complaint when I bought my 96. And this is suppose to be the best of the C4's. I was not impressed! I found the plastics to be of the cheapest quality. I hear the C5 is much better in this department.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,386
Likes: 2
From: San Angelo TX
Re: Rattles in doors/dash (Shylor)
The only squeek in my car is in the front edge of the passenger door near where the door meets the dash. I need to pull both my doors apart soon anyways to realign the window angles and put in new window pads so I'll look for the culprit then.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 0
From: Jupiter Florida
Re: Rattles in doors/dash (IcemanZ06)
where the door meets the dash.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 844
Likes: 3
From: Kennewick, Wa. USA
Re: Rattles in doors/dash (Rearview)
One of GM's great ideas was to hang about 5 electrical connectors just under the door panel and attached by cheap little snap plugs into the metal inner door. Each of these hard palstic connectors and associated wire harnesses has the potential to rattle against the surrounding metal. That's a large part of why Corvette doors sound like they're falling apart every time you shut them. Pull your door panels off and invest in one of the sound proofing kits. They come with a foam panel cudely molded to match your door contur, and a bunch of adhesive pads. They are way over priced for what they are, however they will do a lot to cushion and insolate the wireing harnesses. I think they also help hold out a little of the road noise from infiltrating through the doors. The little adhesive pads are great for sticking anywhere you see a potential rattle. If you don't want to swing for the whole kit, a roll of 3M double side'ed tape will do wonders by itself!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,738
Likes: 76
From: Bloomington IL
Re: Rattles in doors/dash (rocketfinger)
where the door meets the dash.
Had an annoying squeak in that location on my driver's side, turned out to be the hood. With the hood latched shut, try lifting at the lip of the wheel well. I could hear it outside the car too. Greased everything the hood contacts and haven't heard peep one since.
Had an annoying squeak in that location on my driver's side, turned out to be the hood. With the hood latched shut, try lifting at the lip of the wheel well. I could hear it outside the car too. Greased everything the hood contacts and haven't heard peep one since.