1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Possible Rear Rattle Remedy...

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Blind Guy, Sep 24, 2009.

  1. Blind Guy

    Blind Guy New Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2009
    352
    194
    0
    Location:
    Springfield Missouri
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Over the last few months I've been reading Posts about rattles coming from the rear area, and those hearing them are having difficulty homing in on where they are located, and what's actually producing them.

    We took a trip today to Branson (to go to the Yakov Smirnov show), and every time we went over a railroad track, pothole or speed bump, I kept hearing a VERY loud and distinct rattle coming from the rear compartment (I knew it wasn't coming from the back seat...because that's where I was sitting!).

    I had heard it before, but I was always in the front seat, and always suspected it was coming from the sliding cover that covers the cargo area.

    When we got home my wife told me she thought it was coming from the license plate cover, but I told her it sounded like it was coming from within the car, she insisted it was the plate.

    Well once again, spouse 1, hubby nothing! Since the rear license plate is ONLY fastened to the Hatch with two upper bolts, it leaves the bottom of the plate relatively free to vibrate, however, there ARE two foam pads on the Hatch to prevent this from occuring.

    My fix, since I thought the rattle was coming from the bottom of the plate itself rattling against the Hatch door, was to install a strip of Velcro to the inner bottom section of the plate.

    And, again, my wife informed me it was NOT the plate rattling against the Hatch, but rather, the plate rattling against the metal license plate frame we had installed. After some heated discussion, after all I'm the one whoes blind and relies heavily on my hearing senses, I think I'm better suited to determine where any given sound is coming from and what it is...WRONG AGAIN!!!

    All it took was alittle strip of two sided foam taped to the bottom of the license plate between the plate and frame, and magically it was GONE!

    Final Score, wife two, hubby, NOTHING!

    The reason for this post is for those who have a phantom rattle coming from the rear or cargo area, and have a license plate frame on the rear plate, that could be your problem. It honestly sounds like it's coming from INSIDE the car and coming from either the rear seat area or cargo area, you may want to check it out.

    Happy Hunting!

    David (aka Blind Guy)
     
    3 people like this.
  2. bluemonday

    bluemonday New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2009
    151
    26
    2
    Location:
    St. Louis
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II

    So what you are saying is the reason for this post is your wife made you post saying how you were wrong and she was right?

    But thanks for the info. Or should we be thanking your wife? :)
     
  3. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2009
    342
    19
    21
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I have that rattle and one that sounds to be coming from the left speaker on the dashboard
     
  4. nparker13

    nparker13 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2009
    121
    13
    0
    Location:
    CT
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    David, I think my rattle may fit your description. I'm going to try this the second I get out of work. If it works, you are [strikeout] your wife and you are my hero! This rattle bothers me so much!!
     
  5. Blind Guy

    Blind Guy New Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2009
    352
    194
    0
    Location:
    Springfield Missouri
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    * Of course, THANK her!

    David (aka Blind Guy)
     
  6. briank101

    briank101 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2012
    170
    68
    0
    Location:
    Western Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Rather than start a new thread with the same topic, I hope I'm OK to add to this old thread.... Mods, let me know otherwise.

    So I had 2 rattles from the rear hatch, one was more of a thump only heard when going over larger bump, the other rattle was a more high pitched squeak that was far more frequent, heard going over minor irregularities (cracks in the asphalt, and the smallest bump), and by far the more annoying of the two. Before I tell you my solution, let me say it's amazing how much more luxurious/expensive the car feels when you eliminate these rattles. If you've made sure the spare tire and jack accessories are well tied down and not the source of the rattles, please check the fixes I did.

    Fix for the Thump rattle issue: This turned out to be the rear spoiler, only heard going over sharp larger bumps or closing the rear hatch. I found placing an upward force on the spoiler while inserting shims (I used pieces of popsicle sticks, stacked 3 thick, under the left and right sides of the spoiler. Then Open/Close the hatch again to verify the thump noise has gone. If not, just an extra shim may be needed.

    Fix for the squeak issue: First I noticed, one of the rubber boots on the bottom inner left corner of the door was missing, so rather than go to the toyota stealership, I fabricated a boot and mounted it to the car body instead of the door in such a way as occupy the same location as the boot. I drilled a hole in the boot and using a longer screw was able to fasten it after removing the shorter screw at that location. The screw I used had the same thickness and pitch but was 1 inch longer. For good measure I also placed foam tape at all the 4 "bumper stop" locations on the body frame where the hatch door rests against when closed. I also put a bit of grease on the parts of the lock that interface, actually the squeak I heard was probably because the lock interface was without grease due to the excessive movement that displaced the grease.

    Anyway my car sounds closer to Lexus now, than an old VW Beetle (I remember my uncle's Beetle squeaked all round) Now it's only the smaller squeaks/rattle I notice, more so when it's colder, due to the plastic interior, maybe there is a few strategic places that I can inject expanding foam, however with all the airbags and stuff that may be a risky venture. The other place I'm looking into, is the rear floor cover in the rear hatch area. Hopefully strategically located foam tape can help here. Also emptying out the "glove" box of any loose items and greasing strategic metal interfaces on the seats, front and back, and a quick check to see all screws on door handles, etc. are tight, I'm sure will help to restore that expensive feel.
     
  7. EthanC

    EthanC Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2011
    17
    1
    0
    Location:
    SF bay
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Can you take a picture of the rubber boot that yo have done.
     
  8. briank101

    briank101 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2012
    170
    68
    0
    Location:
    Western Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Actually, the boot I put in was made from a round wood brush handle (about 1 inch diameter) . I cut about a 1 inch cylindrical section and drilled a hold through its center. The hole being barely wider than the screw thread. I know a photo would show this much better. I may get one to show this more clearly.

    To add I eliminated most of the other rattles in the car as well. The plastic covering the area behind the steering wheel is quite loose so I stopped that from rattling. This was the next loudest rattle in terms of annoyance. Again a photo could show how I did this, better than a thousand words. A few other pieces of foam tape in the glove box area, the center console, the visors, the handles above the doors, and the buckle stops on the safety belts, ironed out some of the other rattles. There are still one or two other minor rattles (likely plastic panel related) that become apparent when you've eliminated the major ones. As I've said before each rattle or squeak one eliminates really helps make the car feel more solid or upscale. Now I think the tire noise depending on surface it the major source of noise, and a good set of tires rated with a combination of quietness and low rolling resistance in CR ratings, may be just the ticket when I eventually replace the tires.
     
  9. B. Roberts

    B. Roberts Hypah Milah! Ayuh.

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2005
    691
    212
    0
    Location:
    used to be "Glacial" Maine and now FL
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    As long as the wood doesn't get wet, it should do fine. Rubber might be a better material.