Some Noises Fixed, Fixing several buzzing / rattling source Options

[gewb]

My new '07 Sonata sounded very quiet during the test drive and while driving home after purchasing. But the first long drive to work revealed some very annoying buzzes and rattles when driving on rough stretches of road. These noises seemed to come from the glove box even though it was empty...and of course, the passenger seat.

There were three separate sounds from the glove box area:
1) a nasty "plastic" rattle noise
2) an annoying buzz
3) an infrequent but irritating buzz/rattle "plastic" sound

After a couple weeks of listening to this noise for 50 miles a day (the right lane of I-25 is pretty bad north of Denver) I decided to do a search-and-destroy.

I removed the passenger side dashboard access panel, the one to remove in order to replace the cabin air filter, and started poking around.



1
The first thing I found was the glove box damper is very loose on the pivot posts. This was the cause of the nasty (and loud) rattle. To fix, I removed the damper and put a strip of 1/2" foam along the side that faces the glove box. I added a tie wrap to keep it secured. I then wrapped both pivot posts with ONE wrap of duct tape and reinstalled the damper.



This eliminated the rattle by 95% (the remaining 5% is the piston inside the cylinder of the damper).

2
Next I went after the annoying buzz. It took a little time but I determined it was the white pastic frame rubbing on the frame element. I used a large screwdriver and 3 pound hammer to rap on the frame part (it forms a "tongue" which is free at the front where it meets the plastic frame). I rapped on it until I could fit 3 or 4 thicknesses of paper between the metal and the plastic.



Buzzing was 100% gone.

3
Last was a combination buzzy rattle that only happened on really bumpy roads. It sounded like plastic so that left a lot to look at! After several days of trial and error, I isolated the noise to a plastic part that is part of the passenger side air vent, the verticle (up/down) adjustment. It is made of plastic and it engages a small metal post to move it up and down which then moves the louvers. It is this plastic cam that buzzes/rattles against the air duct. The best fix would have been an adhesive felt strip such as a strip cut from a felt lamp base...but I didn't have that in my garage stash of stuff. I used a piece of foam insulation (taped one side) and cut it to 1/16 - 1/8" thickness which I inserted behind the cam to stick on the air ducting.



This eliminated the last irritation coming from the passenger side of the dash.

Last but no less annoying, is the passenger seat - it rattled when no one was in the seat. Actually, I found it was the active headrest that rattles but the noise comes from down in the seatback, not at the top where the head rest goes into the seat back.

I solved most of the problem by leaning the seatback back a bit AND by moving the headrest adjustment to the furthest back position (it has three forward/backward positions). Now the seat rarely rattles.

Regards,
GEWB

This post has been edited by gewb: May 25 2007, 11:24 AM

Attached File(s)

 vent.jpg ( 69.42K ) Number of downloads: 765
 frame.jpg ( 67.33K ) Number of downloads: 756
 damper.jpg ( 32.22K ) Number of downloads: 791
 Opening.jpg ( 29.56K ) Number of downloads: 912

 

[mamamia]

You're our week's hero, gewb!

We all wish our dealers' service dept. would be as intelligent, skillful and willing as you are...

Now, let's see if this all can apply to my wife's '05 Accord's rattling dashboard?

[ironman]

very good post... maybe jerry will add this to the sonata info page.

I haven't noticed any odd sounds on mine, but if I do, I'll know where to look.


Thanks

[error666]

Last but no less annoying, is the passenger seat - it rattled when no one was in the seat. Actually, I found it was the active headrest that rattles but the noise comes from down in the seatback, not at the top where the head rest goes into the seat back.

Are you going to work on it?

[gewb]

Are you going to work on it?
[right][snapback]89589[/snapback][/right]

No, as that is a safety item.

I'll live with the much reduced rattling by repositioning the seatback and head rest.

Regards,
GEWB

[motd]

A+!!!

I was wondering if the side cover you removed, has THREE metal clips over the plastic parts that attach it to the side of the dash. Mine only has metal clips on the top and bottom, but not in the middle one.

[joekewl]

very good and informative thread

[gewb]

A+!!!

I was wondering if the side cover you removed, has THREE metal clips over the plastic parts that attach it to the side of the dash. Mine only has metal clips on the top and bottom, but not in the middle one.
[right][snapback]89594[/snapback][/right]

Only two clips. Center one is a totally different design.

-GEWB

[mamamia]

As to the rattling seat/head rest, I know dealers have a way to fix it... My own -- which is NOT the one I'd list under the "good" dealers list -- told me last year they got a client's seat fixed by opening the back of it...

[gewb]

-- which is NOT the one I'd list under the "good" dealers list --
[right][snapback]89602[/snapback][/right]

I see why they didn't make your list of good dealers!

Stay safe this weekend.

Regards,
GEWB

[Zebodog]

Nice contribution, gewb.

The pics make for a nice easy do-it yourself fix. Thanks.

[gewb]

And thanks to all for the kind words and comments. :thumbsup: :beer:

Regards,
GEWB

[sonata with seou...]

Excellent post GEWB. Hats off. :beer:

[bobad]

Nice post and "how to".

Your post will be a source of inspiration to me if I should ever have any squeeks or rattles.

Hey, I'm totally hooked on "Gorilla Glue" for bridging gaps and securing rattling panels. It foams slightly, and expands 3-4 times the thickness which you apply it. It bonds very well to anything except polyethylene. It's ugly, so use it only for those hidden repairs. It also and stains badly, so extreme care is required in using it.

Thanks again!

[mamamia]

Bobad, I heard/read about Gorilla Glue, but never figured it out, so thanks for the lead...

Does it stay felxible after you apply it? Is it more like a sealer for gaps and creaks, or is it more like a glue adhering 2 pieces together?

[enfurno]

Thanks for the post, this is some great stuff! Gorilla glue by the way is great stuff. I also use this other stuff when I need a sightly fix, can't remember the name off hand but it comes in a metal tube and claims "bonds whatever, forever" those words are true and the stuff is clear.

[bobad]

Does it stay felxible after you apply it? Is it more like a sealer for gaps and creaks, or is it more like a glue adhering 2 pieces together?
[right][snapback]89740[/snapback][/right]

mamamia!

Both. It's an excellent glue, and easily fills gaps up to 1/16". The expanding feature makes it great for rough or warped surfaces that don't fit well.

It's not real flexible, but flexible enough for any metal and hard plastic application.

It really is ugly, and really does stain badly. I don't recommend it for cosmetic repairs, and I do recommend you wear rubber gloves.

[mamamia]

Thanks.... I will buy one.

[motd]

What part of the Gorilla do they use to make the glue???? Hopefully it's not boy gorilla parts, or "boy gorilla excretions." :banana:

[bobad]

What part of the Gorilla do they use to make the glue???? Hopefully it's not boy gorilla parts, or "boy gorilla excretions." :banana:
[right][snapback]89753[/snapback][/right]

I wouldn't hazard a guess, but I would guess they use walnut hulls to dye the glue that brown color. It takes a week for it to wear off your skin.