The correct way of fixing the dash rattle: TAKE IT APART!! (Took me 9 hours w/break)

...so that's whats under the dash, crazy!

Here's a thread of the temporary fix. I even tried using a backer rod. However, the backer rod will get "flat" after some weeks, and then pop out.

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10794&page=9

 

Yes, I took it to the dealership, they fixed it according to TSB. However, rattle still remains, and I FOUND THE REASON!

 

So the only way to fix it is, yes, take it apart.

 

Hardest:

- Take out A pillar, you need to press HARD!

- Take the entire dash out of the car (Remember to unplug the 2 plugs on the passenger side. One is for that tiny thing above, and the other plug is the yellow one I forgot what it was)

- To take out the gauge, you need to remove the clear cover first. Otherwise, it will not come out from the steering wheel

 

On to the pix!

Stupid A Pillar clip mount

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/ewg751/IMGP2740.jpg

 

Driver side

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/ewg751/IMGP2749.jpg

 

Center

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/ewg751/IMGP2746.jpg

 

Passenger side

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/ewg751/IMGP2747.jpg

 

Close up of the driver side "female" plug. This is the REASON why it rattles! TSB fixes ONLY the male plug rattling inside the female. HOWEVER, it still rattles BECAUSE the female plug is loose inside the frame!!!

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/ewg751/IMGP2755.jpg

 

Center female plug: this one is blue. Same as the driver and passenger female plug, it is loose. I just put some paddings underneath so it is not loose anymore, and I do not know how to remove it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/ewg751/IMGP2754.jpg

 

Passenger side female plug

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/ewg751/IMGP2756.jpg

 

Dealership fixed according to TSB, but it still did not solve it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/ewg751/IMGP2760.jpg

 

A pic of female and male together

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/ewg751/IMGP2766-1.jpg

 

Because I think the TSB fix is not good enough, I add the "protection" inside the female, so the male plug will not move inside for sure! (this sentence sounds funny...) ALSO, i placed some double sided tape behind the white female plugs on both driver and passenger side. This makes sure the plugs will not rattle inside the frame <--the cause of rattle

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/ewg751/IMGP2772.jpg

 

Finally, put everything back, and rattle is gone!!!!!!!!

 

All thanks to: Vacation Pix

 

man, I had my entire driver side taken apart this weekend trying to get in at this rattle (or really closer to a buzz) in the dash. I was driving around the block with one hand in the hole where the vent used to be trying to reach in and push/pull/adjust anything I could get my hand on to see if it effected the sound.

 

anyone know if it is possible to get at this clip w/o taking apart the dash completely? that may be more than i can handle...

 

I tried some ridiculous things this weekend, even a desperation move of inflating a pair of small beach balls INSIDE the dashboard to try and put some pressure on any joints and see if there would be any effect. it was ridiculous.

I would love to just be able to shoot expensive insulation foam to the clips by remvoing the gauges.

That dash rattle sucks. I have the one on the driver’s side that stops if you push forward and up on the dash hood over the instruments. I don't see myself taking the entire F'n dash apart to fix it either. Anyone feel like helping me? It seems like a real good time.

I was thinking if I could locate the clip...just use a drill extension and drive a screw into the clip. all I need is to make it unable to vibrate....

I fixed mine in under 5 minutes. cut chunks of rubber(about 1cmX1cmX3cm) and wedge(used a big flat head) them between the window and dash at 3 points where those clips are, it puts pressure on them and keeps them from moving.

 

sorry, i could have told you about this a year ago-i was driving up the alcan and something had to be done.

Edited May 6, 2009 by lilbrudder

I fixed mine in under 5 minutes. cut chunks of rubber(about 1cmX1cmX3cm) and wedge(used a big flat head) them between the window and dash at 3 points where those clips are, it puts pressure on them and keeps them from moving.

 

sorry, i could have told you about this a year ago-i was driving up the alcan and something had to be done.

 

can you point out in which 3 locations?

Thanks

Wow, good job man. But, that much work and I'd just learn to live with the rattle or turn up the radio. That's insane.

I fixed mine in under 5 minutes. cut chunks of rubber(about 1cmX1cmX3cm) and wedge(used a big flat head) them between the window and dash at 3 points where those clips are, it puts pressure on them and keeps them from moving.

 

sorry, i could have told you about this a year ago-i was driving up the alcan and something had to be done.

 

hmm, I did give something like that a try...but I didnt push the wedge all the way down towards the clip.

 

can't hurt to give it a shot. thanks!

Look at the first pics, the clips you are aiming for are the blue one in the middle, and the two white ones about 4-5 inches inside each pillar. Cut the rubber a little bigger than the gap between the window and dash, it should be tight or they will work their way out but not so tight you break the dash or anything. be careful pushing them in, one slip with the screw driver could scratch the dash or black window surround. When they are in the right spot you will be able to see them but they won't be obvious, you have to be looking kinda. good luck, let me know if you need more info.

so...I have tried just about everything, and cannot find the solution. I jammed a bunch of cut rubber spacer down in between the windshield...but it didnt help a bit.

 

this is what you guys are hearing too, right?

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K34FWGUPTuQ]YouTube - My 2005 Subaru 2.5GT Buzzing sound[/ame]

Mine was not as high a frequency as yours, alanztalon. The right way to fix it is by taking it all apart. like the OP did. It didn't take me long to do, and I used some leftover sound deadener material to keep the rattle from ever coming back.

yeah, it seems inevitable that I will be taking it all apart. I just really, really dont want to have it come to that.

We should have a fix your dash rattle meet in Milwaukee, ha-ha.

yeah, it seems inevitable that I will be taking it all apart. I just really, really dont want to have it come to that.

I'm with you on that.

Easy fix;

The reason why I took off my dash is because I tried other methods, and still not satisfied. I tried the backer rod, but it pops out after a couple of weeks. The plug on the firewall is the problem. In my case, adding insulation to the dash stopped the rattle of the male plug noise (aka TSB fix), but the female plug is still rattling itself against the firewall.

did it take 9hrs including putting it back together? i thought about doing it, not only to fix rattles but to redo it in suede

^

Actually, it should take less than that. It was my first time. The furthest I went before taking out the dash was changing the cabin air filter. If you know where all the bolts are, you should be faster.

bumping this one up, got a question for christurismohk

 

so for securing the plugs, did you just use foam and double sided tape? is there anything else i should use? also what type of foam did you use?

 

as for removing the dash, any particular tools needed?

 

how did you disassemble the clear face in front of the gauges? looks like there are 3 screws according to the "pix" but not sure how you got to them

I fixed mine in under 5 minutes. cut chunks of rubber(about 1cmX1cmX3cm) and wedge(used a big flat head) them between the window and dash at 3 points where those clips are, it puts pressure on them and keeps them from moving.

 

sorry, i could have told you about this a year ago-i was driving up the alcan and something had to be done.

 

I did this too except I just used old rubber mousepads. The best fix I have found so far besides taking apart the dash. You really have to jam it down there, I used a rubber spatula. It's kept the dash quiet for months now, a new record.

I have jammed all kinds of different shit down into the dash at this point. Hard rubber, foam, started with cardboard and it has only gotten louder.

 

I swear, mine is cursed.

 

I am going to try to remove the drivers vent, then sink a screw into the firewall as close to that clip as I can reach and see how that will work. hopefully I can put the screw right into the clip to hold it in place.

 

it is so pathetic that it has come to this.

I have jammed all kinds of different shit down into the dash at this point. Hard rubber, foam, started with cardboard and it has only gotten louder.

 

I swear, mine is cursed.

 

I am going to try to remove the drivers vent, then sink a screw into the firewall as close to that clip as I can reach and see how that will work. hopefully I can put the screw right into the clip to hold it in place.

 

it is so pathetic that it has come to this.

 

I effing love New Glarus, I used to live in Rockford and the boarder was only a quick trip away. Now I live in Vegas and there is no way to drink the delicious spotted cow. Although i have found a new favorite out here Stone Brewery...mmmm

so for securing the plugs, did you just use foam and double sided tape? is there anything else i should use? also what type of foam did you use?

 

I just used foam and double side tape. As of today, the car is still rattle free ever since I removed the dash. No need to add insulation or whatever. The foam type is just some soft foam from home depot. Actually, anything you find that can eliminate that "plastic against plastic" noise, you are good.

 

as for removing the dash, any particular tools needed?

 

nope, just regular screw drivers

 

how did you disassemble the clear face in front of the gauges? looks like there are 3 screws according to the "pix" but not sure how you got to them

 

I don't remember correctly, but there aren't that many screws to hold up the gauge. As for the plastic cover, make sure you REMOVE the plastic cover, take it out from the top hole of the steering wheel, and then remove the gauge. The ENTIRE gauge including the plastic cover will NOT come out (I tried)

 

hope this helps. I did NOT regret taking it apart at all, and the car is STILL rattle free from the dash

I have jammed all kinds of different shit down into the dash at this point. Hard rubber, foam, started with cardboard and it has only gotten louder.

 

I swear, mine is cursed.

 

I am going to try to remove the drivers vent, then sink a screw into the firewall as close to that clip as I can reach and see how that will work. hopefully I can put the screw right into the clip to hold it in place.

 

it is so pathetic that it has come to this.

 

you have to put it in specific spots (where the plugs are).