Fix for dash rattles?

1380 Views 16 Replies 10 Participants Last post by irish1, Feb 27, 2002

karnolddc

Discussion Starter · Feb 11, 2002

I just did a search for dash rattles and found many posts with the complaint, but not very many with a solution--one post mentions a pic of someone fixing the problem with felt tape, but I can't seem to find the original post.
I brought my car in a few weeks ago to have felt tape applied to the sunroof headliner (to eliminate a rattle that was covered under a TSB). They took the whole roof of the car apart, inc. the pillars. Well, when I picked the car up, the headliner rattle was gone, but I now have a really annoying dash rattle coming from the drivers side and middle dash near where the dash meets the windshield. Would stuffing felt into the space between the dash and the windshield solve the problem? Anyone tried this and been successful? Any other ideas? I'm sure the folks at the service center are sick of me by now, so I'd rather avoid bringing the car in for them to look at. Any help would be appreciated!

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

not_too_shabby

· #2 · Feb 11, 2002

Re: Fix for dash rattles? (karnolddc)

I had the same rattle and pushed a black dress sock between the dash and windshield in the middle of the dash. I would give it a try, and if that fixes the problem put something more permanent in place. I pushed the sock down far enough that I can't see it so I just left it there.

oceanengineer

· #3 · Feb 11, 2002

Re: Fix for dash rattles? (not_too_shabby)

I hope you washed the sock!

MADLUV4VW

· #4 · Feb 11, 2002

Re: Fix for dash rattles? (not_too_shabby)

I have just put felt between my dash and windshield during my lunch break. It worked! Thanks for the advice.

See less See more

karnolddc

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: Fix for dash rattles? (not_too_shabby)

I did the black dress sock thing and guess what--no more dash rattles (and it isn't noticeable b/c of the black color and the fact that I really jammed it down there). My ride to work this morning was the quietest ever. Thanks for the tip!

not_too_shabby

· #6 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: Fix for dash rattles? (karnolddc)

No problem. Not very high tech but whatever works!

lip

· #7 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: Fix for dash rattles? (karnolddc)

Thanks for the post, I have the same problem on my 2001.5 only it's on the right side of the dash.
At least we know how to fix it now.

See less See more

not_too_shabby

· #8 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: Fix for dash rattles? (lip)

We should take pictures of our dashes with stocks stuffed in the crack between the dash and winshield and send them to vw.... Maybe they will make it standard equipment!

karnolddc

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: Fix for dash rattles? (not_too_shabby)

LOL! Right on. I think that we need to take a series of photos detailing the prep work (washing of the sock), installation and adjustment (stuffing the sock into the gap between the dash and windshield), and maintenance (ensuring that the sock is in good condition and not in need of replacement). We must be sure to include a section on which sock brand, thickness, and color works best...

P. E. Johnston

· #10 · Feb 25, 2002

Re: Fix for dash rattles? (karnolddc)

I'd apologize for dragging this old post back up on an even older problem. But I had some time on my hands this past Saturday and thought some might be interested in a "new" approach to an "old" problem. I eliminated this nuisance "rattle"! It sounded more like a "clack" to me and was usually triggered by road bumps but sometimes seemingly by simply a flex in the chassis/dash while turning. (I can understand how a sock between the dash and windshield might be effective, but this solution seems more visually and olfactorily satisfying!) My rattle had been off and on for over a year, better in cold weather (dash stiffer?) but still irritatingly present. I'd looked inside the passenger end of the dash several times and the felt on the tip of that little plastic dash "foot" always seemed to be in place. Someone had said that pushing up on the inside of the dash would raise the foot. So, I did that and while it was "up" stuck a small 1x2 cm. piece of a rubber inner tube between the foot and its support. While knocking on wood, I'm happy to say I haven't heard the rattle since!

See less See more

not_too_shabby

· #11 · Feb 26, 2002

Re: Fix for dash rattles? (P. E. Johnston)

Could you post some pictures. I looked in there a few times and could never what to prop up.

Blk Mgc Man

· #12 · Feb 26, 2002

Re: Fix for dash rattles? (not_too_shabby)

See less See more

Grimreaper_4u

· #13 · Feb 26, 2002

Re: Fix for dash rattles? (not_too_shabby)

Ok, I know this is changing the location of the rattle a little but, I have a terrible rattle coming from sounds like the driver side rear seat. It usually only comes up while in motion and over broken pavement. I have made sure the seat back is locked into place & the rear arm rest is secure (along with the cup holder). Anybody run into this?

See less See more

P. E. Johnston

· #14 · Feb 26, 2002

Re: Fix for dash rattles? (not_too_shabby)

For not_too_shabby, if you look at Blk Mgc Man's superb picture, the "felt tape" covers the "foot" of the support for the dash. If you use a long blunt instrument (I used a 7/8" dowel about 2' long) and insert it up against the inside of the top of the dash through the access opening through which you're looking at the bolt/felt tape, etc. Make sure you're pushing instrument is blunt enough that you don't poke a hole through the dash! I used my knee to push it up then inserted a screw driver in the space (between the felt-covered foot and its support) generated when you lift the dash. A good light helps! Then, when you've got the foot raised a bit propped up by the screw driver, insert the additional pad of (in my case) a rubber inner tube cut to an appropriate size. The "fix" is still working after 3 days and 100 miles! NO RATTLE! For Grimreaper_4u, I'd get an assistant to ride in the back seat while you drive (or you ride there while someone else drives!) and lift the seat - it could be the seat hinge or any number of other sources! FYI, I'm a great fan of inner tube rubber and ...duct tape!

[Modified by P. E. Johnston, 4:50 AM 2-26-2002]

See less See more

credit

· #15 · Feb 26, 2002

Re: Fix for dash rattles? (karnolddc)

I had this problem from day 1 and didn't realise it was typical. I took it in for 5k service and mentioned the rattle. they took apart the glove compartment and refitted it. hey presto! rattle is no more.
Good luck, I know how annoying it can be.

not_too_shabby

· #16 · Feb 26, 2002

Re: Fix for dash rattles? (P. E. Johnston)

Thanks! I'll check it out this weekend. I have poked around in there a few times but never really new what to do....

irish1

· #17 · Feb 27, 2002

Re: Fix for dash rattles? (Grimreaper_4u)

Grim
Not sure if this is your problem or not, but i had a bad "clatter" type rattle coming from the driver's rear seat... It turned out to be the two female end of the seat belt receptacles that sit side by side - the bounced together over bumps etc. I put a piece of felt tape between them and its been gone ever since.
Now - anyone have a rattle coming from what sounds like the left hand side of the glove box? Its behind the inside of the box - pressing on the light etc doesn't make it go away - its noticeable over bumps etc -and gets much louder if i drive with the glove box open (not a habit - just an experiment!).

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.