Dashboard Rattles

[Marvinh]

I have been reading the threads that deal with dashboard rattles. I have noticed the 'jury rigged' solutions some people have tried to quiet these rattles. Other Prius owners have had more problems resulting from tracking down these rattles.

I had one coming from the small vent under the triangular window in front. The dealer placed some foam material underneath the plastic vent piece but it really didn't help. And I have one additional rattle that comes and goes.

So my question is this: Do most of us just live with these rattles or do we ask the dealer to pull apart the dash to try and locate them? I may be a little too sensitive to dashboard rattles because some owners can ignore them. Some owners say, its a car. Drive it.

Thanks - Marvin

[seasalsa]

I think my car is haunted. Sometimes there are a series of rattles that sound like they are coming from the dash area and other times it is very quiet.

I have fixed three specific annoying rattles.

1. Sounded like someone banging on a tin pan. Found that it was the dumb little plastic shelf insert in the top glove compartment not properly seated.

2. Very loud rattle at every bump in the road. Removed ball point pen from passsenger door pocket.

3. Another very annoying rattle that sounded like it was coming from somewhere in the back. Closed sunglass door. Duh!

Dealers don't seem to put a very high priority on rattles that come and go.

[Marvinh]

Hi Seasalsa - thanks for your post. I looked for loose items and open sunglass holders, etc. Everything seems secure.

Marvin

[seesfar]

Another fix for any and all rattles- take a summer job as rockband roadie.
Major hearing lose=no more rattles.

[richard schumacher]

Another surprising source of a rattle is the cupholder on the front of the center console. The driver might swear that the noise was coming from somewhere in the dash, but opening and closing that holder makes it go away. All those hard interior surfaces make noises bounce around in funny ways.

[Jiipa]

Originally Posted by richard schumacher

Another surprising source of a rattle is the cupholder on the front of the center console. The driver might swear that the noise was coming from somewhere in the dash, but opening and closing that holder makes it go away. All those hard interior surfaces make noises bounce around in funny ways.

My wife throws her loose change in the cup holder, I think purposely just to drive me crazy. I stuffed a paper napkin in the bottom to stop the noise. Is there a better solution, other than getting rid of the wife?

[MaulWalker]

I have the dreaded dashboard rattle as well. It seems to come from where the textured plastic on the front of the dash meets the horizontal plastic of the dash, near the MFD. The first itime I took it in for service, the dealer tried tightening the clips under the dash. The second time I took it in for service, the dealer pulled the dash and "foamed" the entire thing. The foarming took care of a lot of other rattles, but not the really annoying one. I am afraid I may just have to learn to live with it.

Lynn

[richard schumacher]

Originally Posted by Jiipa

My wife throws her loose change in the cup holder, I think purposely just to drive me crazy. I stuffed a paper napkin in the bottom to stop the noise. Is there a better solution?

Mmm, not that I know of.

[xsmatt81]

Originally Posted by Jiipa

My wife throws her loose change in the cup holder, I think purposely just to drive me crazy. I stuffed a paper napkin in the bottom to stop the noise. Is there a better solution, other than getting rid of the wife?

instead of getting rid of the wife, try putting loose change in the armrest tray holder dealo. IT works pretty good, and don't make much noise.

[Marvinh]

Originally Posted by MaulWalker

I have the dreaded dashboard rattle as well. It seems to come from where the textured plastic on the front of the dash meets the horizontal plastic of the dash, near the MFD. The first itime I took it in for service, the dealer tried tightening the clips under the dash. The second time I took it in for service, the dealer pulled the dash and "foamed" the entire thing. The foarming took care of a lot of other rattles, but not the really annoying one. I am afraid I may just have to learn to live with it.

Lynn

Lynn,

I think we all have some type of rattle. And I think we have to learn to live with it. Its just the design of the dashboard (snap apart trim pieces).

Don't most of you guys have some dashboard rattles and just choose to ignore them? Or don't pay attention and don't hear them?

Thanks! Marvin