My 2014 Coupe has a little over 8000 miles now and over the last few thousand miles it developed a very irritating squeak. It wasn't that loud but even with the radio on, I could hear it. It was coming from the upper area behind the passenger's head. Somewhere above the side window around where the halo trim and side trim panel meet.

I've located and fixed squeaks on a number of my cars, so i was confident I would find it. It wasn't easy.

The process I use to locate the source of squeaks and rattles is to use my palm or fist to tap various panels. Using different levels of force and locations, if you listen carefully, the noise will surface and you can pinpoint it.

The first time, I pulled off the halo trim panel, the upper passengers side panel around the side window, and the wheel well panel. The only screw was on the chrome "D" ring.

Usually squeaks develop where plastic rubs against another plastic panel or metal. I look for the tell-tale white powder residue that develops when 2 parts rub against each other. I didn't find any the first time.

I looked a second time yesterday and I found it. It wasn't easy.

For some reason, the upper edge of window trim panel has a orphan plastic tab where the window trim panel meets the halo steel structure. Plastic trim tabs normally have a metal clip to push into a slot to firmly attached it to where it needs to go. In most cases, into the steel body structure.

There was no slot in the steel halo structure. So the plastic tab did not have a metal clip attached, so that is why I am calling it an orphan.

The first picture shows the orphan plastic tab from the backside view. Notice there is no metal clip. Also notice the tan rectangular cardboard tube to the right. This is attached with double sided tape. Its there to fill the space between the plastic trim panel and the steel body structure. Probably to keep it from flopping around. Kind of strange they used cardboard to do that, but whatever works I guess.

The second picture shows where the tab rubbed against the metal body structure....the halo..notice the small amount of white powder marks. I missed this the first time because its in a pretty obscure location.

The last picture shows the tab with a piece of Velcro I wrapped around it. I thought of just cutting the tab off, but I think it should be there to create space between the halo and the window trim panel so everything is aligned. I probably should have put the Velcro on the steel halo structure. This should work but in hind site, I suggest putting the Velcro where the white powder marks are.












This picture is the back side of the halo trim panel. Notice the yellow wax pencil marks. I think this is the date the part goes to the production line. My car was invoiced to the dealer a couple of days later.

 

Thank you for posting this. I have a squeak too that has recently developed from probably the same area. I only notice it over bumpy roads, on smooth roads it is quiet. I just noticed this over the last few miles (car only has around 1100 miles).

 

There is a good chance you can put the Velcro strip on without pulling the whole panel off like I did. Pull off the overhead halo trim panel then pop off just the upper edge of the window trim panel like in my photo. Easy fix. You may have to really tug on the top halo trim panel as the clips are pretty stiff and there are a lot of them.

The lower edge of the wheel well arches have a hard plastic tabs that rub against the fiberglass wheel wells. So I wrapped them with Velcro to keep them from rattling or squeaking.

The reason I use the soft part of Velcro is its has a tape backing to stick anywhere and its made of nylon so it wears very well. All the auto manufacturers use a variation of Velcro between interior parts to help prevent squeaks. I used the regular thick Velcro but a thinner Velcro is available, too.

 

I know that no one likes grammar police but for the love of god its hollow...not hallow. I appreciate the how to but that just struck the right ocd nerve for me.

 

Glad you found it. Unwelcomed sound in the cabin can be very annoying.

 

You're right, NO ONE LIKES IT. Does us all a favor and take your OCD offline.

AND since you are such a F'ing expert, the word is God, not god. The word, when referring to the all-mighty, is always capitalized.

 

This is great information - thank you. Just for my own clarification, which panel(s) have to be removed in order to install the velcro? Also, for those of us who are new to this type of thing can you please describe the process of removing the affected panel(s)? Thanks.

 

Roofs sometimes squeak after a few miles. I'm told this can be fixed with some silicon gel. Has anyone tried this?

 

Yes, this is true. Both my C5 and C6 suffered from this and a little silicon grease at the contract points stopped it.

 

Sorry, but you are wrong.....

Hollow is like a hollow log or depression in the ground. Look it up if you don't believe me.

I am also wrong. Should be Halo.

 

Look for Di-electric Grease in the auto parts store. Commonly used on spark plug boots.

GM lists this as a lube for rubber seals.

 

The only panel to remove is just the panel above the driver and passenger head. That just pulls off. It is attached pretty firmly, so you have to pull it pretty hard to get if off. (insert "that's what she said" here) All attached with clips.

The trim panel around the small window just needs to be pulled down a little from the top to expose the orphan plastic tab. Just stick the Velcro over that like my photo shows. Or simply trim it down. I don't think it needs to be there.

I put a strip of Velcro on the tan square tube.

 

Yes. I greased my seals. No squeaks. Some folks tightend the rear clamp also.

 

Really appreciate your write-up and photos!

 

Wow!

 

Vasaline applied with felt tab works well also.

 

Yes Dracla, my translucent roof was squeaking where the the roof attaches on the drivers side in front, and silicon gel worked great.

Joe

 

I drove my car quite a bit today and no squeak. Temps were around 70+ so i dont know if that made any difference or not. I haven't even tried the fix yet...

 

Thanks so much for posting this. I have notice a small elusive squeak over bumpy highway that goes away a bit when I apply pressure to the center piece over the back of my head. I would assume its the same tab on my car, now I know what to get after if it gets any worse. I like your pointer about looking for the white residue.

I also think a few pictures from a distance may help people find the area you are talking about. just a suggestion.

Thanks Again!!

 

A pulled back shot of the area would helpful!