C5 Rattle and noise fixes
05-23-2016, 09:59 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
C5 Rattle and noise fixes
We should start a thread with various rattles and noises the C5 makes, with fixes we have found. I got the idea from an article on the same topic, but which covered various generations and only a couple things.
From the article:
Rattle coming from the removable rooftop: It could be from the handles if the plastic bushings are worn. Replace the handles.
Squeezing from the roof panel: It could be from worn weather stripping around the hoop causing the roof panel and old rubber rubbing and causing the squeak. Replace the weather stripping.
Rattling when the window is rolled up and down. It could be a worn window regulator. Replace
Not from article:
Buzzing when turning on the turn signals. Can be temporarily mitigated by turning the hazard button on and off a bunch of times. It's caused by a corroded hazard switch. Replace the switch (dash has to come out). There is a DIY fix on here but the part is not too expensive...less than $100.
Wind noise by your head. Worn hoop seal, worn roof panel seals, or window needs adjustment. (I'd check the hoop seal for tears at the corner. I'm on my 4th or 5th seal. They deteriorate quickly, especially if you take the roof panel out a lot).
When I have more time, I'll add more. I'll try and get to them later.
Shifter rattle- shifter housing bushings
Seat squeak- rocking seat fix
Clicking from wheels- brake pad springs
Whine from engine-pulleys, particularly my harmonic balancer.
I have a whine squeak which I think is the seatbelt tensioner, but I have not isolated it for sure. (It's similar to a whining power steering pump).
From the article:
Rattle coming from the removable rooftop: It could be from the handles if the plastic bushings are worn. Replace the handles.
Squeezing from the roof panel: It could be from worn weather stripping around the hoop causing the roof panel and old rubber rubbing and causing the squeak. Replace the weather stripping.
Rattling when the window is rolled up and down. It could be a worn window regulator. Replace
Not from article:
Buzzing when turning on the turn signals. Can be temporarily mitigated by turning the hazard button on and off a bunch of times. It's caused by a corroded hazard switch. Replace the switch (dash has to come out). There is a DIY fix on here but the part is not too expensive...less than $100.
Wind noise by your head. Worn hoop seal, worn roof panel seals, or window needs adjustment. (I'd check the hoop seal for tears at the corner. I'm on my 4th or 5th seal. They deteriorate quickly, especially if you take the roof panel out a lot).
When I have more time, I'll add more. I'll try and get to them later.
Shifter rattle- shifter housing bushings
Seat squeak- rocking seat fix
Clicking from wheels- brake pad springs
Whine from engine-pulleys, particularly my harmonic balancer.
I have a whine squeak which I think is the seatbelt tensioner, but I have not isolated it for sure. (It's similar to a whining power steering pump).
Last edited by Smokin Joe; 05-23-2016 at 10:54 PM.
05-23-2016, 10:27 PM
#2
Instructor
I can honestly say my car doesn't have any rattles, squeaks or any other noises. Its tight and quiet, It's an 03 with 23k on it. I hope my luck holds out. Sorry I can't help.
05-23-2016, 10:35 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
I've got squeaks coming from the dash. I'm not sure if it's the dash pad, glove box, and/or center console. Any tips for fixing those would be appreciated. 
05-23-2016, 10:38 PM
#4
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04
My car also has no rattles or weird noises. its tight and quiet.. 17 years old 100,000 miles. I was shocked to get into my friends 2008 mustang cobra. It was a rattle trap. It was a convertible.. but if I owned that car, I would be embarrassed to take someone for a ride in it.
05-23-2016, 10:41 PM
#5
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My '03 with 21K miles doesn't have any rattles or noises either, but with more miles it very well might. This could be a very useful thread and hopefully there will be plenty of responses to it.
05-23-2016, 10:51 PM
#7
Drifting
Thread Starter
Also check the nuts under the center console plugs and the traction control panel. They should be snug so the center console doesn't squeak (be careful not to over tighten as you will break the plastic).
The radio surround bezel can rub against the dashboard also.
The dash can rub in the corners with the a-piller covers.
05-23-2016, 10:55 PM
#8
Drifting
Thread Starter
05-24-2016, 12:09 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
04 6spd VERT... no rattles, no squeaks... 
Well the tires "sqeak" a little when I give it too much throttle...hehe
Well the tires "sqeak" a little when I give it too much throttle...hehe
Last edited by 73Corvette; 05-24-2016 at 12:10 PM.
05-24-2016, 12:42 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
Ive disassembled my dash twice...maybe three times. All the wires come with a thin foam sheet folded back on itself. That stuff literally crumbles apart with age. Rubbing wires can cause squeaks. There are a lot behind the radio. Best I could do was get felt with sticky on the back from a fabric store and replaced all of them.
Also check the nuts under the center console plugs and the traction control panel. They should be snug so the center console doesn't squeak (be careful not to over tighten as you will break the plastic).
The radio surround bezel can rub against the dashboard also.
The dash can rub in the corners with the a-piller covers.
Also check the nuts under the center console plugs and the traction control panel. They should be snug so the center console doesn't squeak (be careful not to over tighten as you will break the plastic).
The radio surround bezel can rub against the dashboard also.
The dash can rub in the corners with the a-piller covers.
05-24-2016, 01:34 PM
#14
Safety Car
Haven't really noticed any rattles out of my 02 Z. If they're there, then I wouldn't know thanks to my exhaust setup 
If you wanna hear squeaks and rattles, you should hear the inside of my BMW when the top is up
If you wanna hear squeaks and rattles, you should hear the inside of my BMW when the top is up
05-25-2016, 10:21 AM
#15
Le Mans Master
You don't even KNOW what rattles and squeaks are till you have a CJ7
05-25-2016, 11:23 AM
#17
1/4 mile/AutoX
When I got my car the only rattles were the windows when the doors were open or if you closed the doors with the windows down at any level. What I found was at the bottom of the window regulator it has a adjustment for the window in and out. On that mount it has a rubber boot that fits into the bracket at the bottom, on both doors the rubber worked its way out. I just reinstalled the rubber bushing were it was supposed to be and added a bit of weatherstrip adhesive. 16,000 miles and two summers no more rattles the rest of my car has always been tight !!!
05-25-2016, 12:57 PM
#18
Melting Slicks
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Sun visor mirror door rattles and can sound like comes from dash area oddly enough. When you think there is a rattle in the dash hold the mirror door closed. Great idea thread BTW.
05-25-2016, 04:57 PM
#19
Instructor
Roof rattle
On a coupe, when the roof is NOT in place, there are two bright metal brackets that hang down from the cast mating face about the windscreen. When the roof is closed and tightened down they're silent, but without the roof they rattle constantly. Looks like they're held in place by a bent tang, which has relaxed somehow, giving it room to rattle.
I can't see a way to stop that - would welcome any ideas.
I can't see a way to stop that - would welcome any ideas.
