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Rattling heater vents

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by molgrips, Aug 3, 2006.

  1. molgrips

    molgrips Member

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    So one of the vertical vanes on the far left hand side of the car (near the passenger...) has started to rattle... I'd get in there and put some wax or something on it, but I'm a little nervous about how to dismantle the facia. Anyone had any experience with this kind of thing? Can't quite see what I have to unscrew or pop off, and it's quite new so I don't want to break stuff (which is quite likely with dashboards, IME).

    On a side note, does anyone else think the Prius is more rattle-prone than a 20k car should be...? Seems like Toyota have skimped on the interior to recoup some of the cost of development. List of rattly bits include:

    The centre storage compartment, including cup holders - seems rather flimsy
    Sun visors occasionally
    Secret compartment lid in the boot
    Any pair of sunglasses kept in the sunglasses holder
    The cargo cover

    This is one of the reasons I run my tyres at the recommended pressure - it just rattles too much at 42/40 - not to mention very skittish handling over bumps.
     
    #1 molgrips, Aug 3, 2006
  2. eagle33199

    eagle33199 Platinum Member

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    if you're talking about the register vent cover area between the glovebox and the passenger door, it pulls straight out towards you. there are some clips that hold it in place, and will pop free when you pull. to get a batter grip, you may want to open the glove box, possibly even remove it (squeeze in the sides so it falls all the way out/open).

    of course, do this at your own risk, don't sue, blah blah blah. Also, this is assuming that the UK version is similar enough to the US version in this area.
     
    #2 eagle33199, Aug 3, 2006
  3. molgrips

    molgrips Member

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    Thanks eagle, worked a charm. Always nervous about pulling on bits of dash in case they snap, but perhaps the combination of Toyota plastic quality and not having been baked in the sun for 15 years like my older cars means it came out a treat.

    So now I have the vent assembly in my hand.. it's definitely the source of the noise since the car is now mercifully silent. My question is, what's best to stop the rattles?

    There are two sources in the heater vent; the lower pivot for the rotating baffle (the bit that closes the vent) rattles in its hole, and the pivots for the vertical vanes in the heat (the ones that control the lateral direction of the airflow) rattle in a similar way. I'm thinking perhaps of some kind of grease to impede rattling, or perhaps "dry lube" for bike chains, which is a thin liquid that evaporates leaving a wax behind. I was also thinking perhaps candle wax, although it'd be hard to apply.

    Does someone make something specifically for this job?
     
    #3 molgrips, Aug 7, 2006
  4. Pinto Girl

    Pinto Girl New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(molgrips @ Aug 3 2006, 07:56 AM) [snapback]296884[/snapback]</div>
    I have the feeling that structural rigidity, especially in the Prius, comes not from the mass of the individual parts, but how they're shaped and how they fit together. It does clearly seem to be designed down to its curb weight.

    Prediction: somewhat more rattle prone than my last Toyota (but I sure hope I'm wrong).
     
    #4 Pinto Girl, Oct 6, 2006
  5. Howard

    Howard New Member

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    If your car is still under warranty, take it to the dealer and ask them to replace the vent.
     
    #5 Howard, Oct 6, 2006
  6. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Well, I've owned an RX-7 for 8 years, and it will rattle due to the "sport suspention" and lightweight construction. The "hot setup" to stop rattles is to glue thin felt padding everywhere panels touch or can hit each other. Also line the storage bins with it. You can buy the felt at sewing centres. If lucky, you can find it with double sided tape on it. If you can get the vent vane assy. out, you can glue a pad on the hinge area, punch a hole through to the original hole, and pop the vane assy back in. That will stop that rattle and stiffen up the vane operation a bit. If you get black felt, it will even look cool. ;)
    I've used contact cement to glue it in, but prefer the double sided tape.
     
    #6 David Beale, Oct 7, 2006
  7. molgrips

    molgrips Member

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    After a long period of annoyance, found out it wasn't the heater vent at all. It was the side panel of the dash touching the metal bar that holds it all up.. sticky foam did the trick :)
     
    #7 molgrips, Oct 10, 2006
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