Dash noise

[GregW / Oregon]

After 50k tight miles a creak has developed in the cowling over the instruments. Pulled the cluster, but no obvious solution. You can just press on the top of the cowling and it makes noise, like two plastic parts rubbing. Hear it on every bump. Anyone had this?

I'm tempted to spray some lubricant in where I see parts touching, but I may just take it to the dealer.

[JFlo]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

After 50k tight miles a creak has developed in the cowling over the instruments. Pulled the cluster, but no obvious solution. You can just press on the top of the cowling and it makes noise, like two plastic parts rubbing. Hear it on every bump. Anyone had this?

I'm tempted to spray some lubricant in where I see parts touching, but I may just take it to the dealer.

I have a similar vibrating sound right by the entertainment/GPS screen. When I start driving and the car vibrates, there's a really annying sound of two vibrating plastic pieces rubbing against each other. If I put my hand of the ledge right in front of the screen it goes away, almost seems like something is loose.

Would be interested to see if anyone found a solution to this problem. Pretty annoying driving an 80K car and that noise starts and continues every time you drive!

[thekurgan]

Check the center speaker cover, it's two pieces and they can creak/squeak. The trick is to remove just the top piece using a credit card, and either use thin felt and/or krytox to silence it.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Check the center speaker cover, it's two pieces and they can creak/squeak. The trick is to remove just the top piece using a credit card, and either use thin felt and/or krytox to silence it.

Thanks -- but it definitely is coming from the hood over the main instrument cluster. You can just push on it and it makes the noise.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Thanks -- but it definitely is coming from the hood over the main instrument cluster. You can just push on it and it makes the noise.

The cluster is easily removed via the two screws underneath, you can apply some adhesive felt around it and replace it. There may be a DIY on this in the large "squeak/rattle" thread here.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

The cluster is easily removed via the two screws underneath, you can apply some adhesive felt around it and replace it. There may be a DIY on this in the large "squeak/rattle" thread here.

It's not the cluster itself; I've taken that out and the noise is in the hood portion of the dash top.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

It's not the cluster itself; I've taken that out and the noise is in the hood portion of the dash top.

So you're talking clear to the windshield cowl area or right below the cluster "hump"? I remember applying felt deep behind the cluster, there was a bunch of wires that were hitting an area of the steal frame.

[GregW / Oregon]

This dash creak is driving me crazy. Dealer has attempted fix 3 times, and now says they would have to take the whole dash out, which I am reluctant to have them do. Car is going to new owner in 2 weeks and I'd sure like to fix this. Will give it a shot this weekend.

[dparm]

Yep, those types of problems are notoriously difficult to fix.

Just loosen and then retighten all the screws.

[tinman831]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

This dash creak is driving me crazy. Dealer has attempted fix 3 times, and now says they would have to take the whole dash out, which I am reluctant to have them do. Car is going to new owner in 2 weeks and I'd sure like to fix this. Will give it a shot this weekend.

You may end up introducing more creaks by taking apart the dash and putting it back together.

[apecush]

I took the cluster out and stuffed a bunch of adhesive foam/weatherstripping wherever plastic parts intersected. It worked...for a while. I think I may have developed some additional rattles thanks to our extremely crappy roads.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by apecush

I took the cluster out and stuffed a bunch of adhesive foam/weatherstripping wherever plastic parts intersected. It worked...for a while. I think I may have developed some additional rattles thanks to our extremely crappy roads.

I sprayed lubricant into joints I could find - helped a little.

[thekurgan]

FWIW, this stuff (3M squeak reduction tape) is very useful between plastic parts and it's not too visible, but not invisible.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013HBOSG/...l_1pv5h8t7r7_e

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

FWIW, this stuff (3M squeak reduction tape) is very useful between plastic parts and it's not too visible, but not invisible.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013HBOSG/...l_1pv5h8t7r7_e

Thanks; the problem is that without disassembling the dash it's hard to get in between adjoining parts. I used some silicone spray with an extended spray tube to reach into crevices, and it seemed to help. My biggest problem area seems to be at the front of the dash, which you can't get to without taking out the windshield.

[thekurgan]

Have you tried removing the grill over the center speaker there? Or maybe that's not your trouble spot. It was on mine, they are actually two pieces. I did a writeup somewhere here, maybe in the rattle thread.

Basically I ordered a new top grill, removed the lower and used some krytox in areas where the plastic contacted the plastic and it's been a tomb ever since.

Let me know and I can dig it up, it's a known issue with these cars.

See parts 2 and 5 here:

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Have you tried removing the grill over the center speaker there? Or maybe that's not your trouble spot. It was on mine, they are actually two pieces. I did a writeup somewhere here, maybe in the rattle thread.

Basically I ordered a new top grill, removed the lower and used some krytox in areas where the plastic contacted the plastic and it's been a tomb ever since.

Let me know and I can dig it up, it's a known issue with these cars.

See parts 2 and 5 here:

I should try that. My situation is much improved, but I'm delivering the car to a new buyer Thursday and would like it as good as possible. Thanks!

[BaseM3]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

After 50k tight miles a creak has developed in the cowling over the instruments. Pulled the cluster, but no obvious solution. You can just press on the top of the cowling and it makes noise, like two plastic parts rubbing. Hear it on every bump. Anyone had this?

I'm tempted to spray some lubricant in where I see parts touching, but I may just take it to the dealer.

Check the torque on the front strut bar bolts connecting to the firewall