Dash Rattle Located!

[matt_a]

I know that the topic of squeaks, creaks, and rattles has been brought up here many times. But last night I FINALLY found the origin of one in our Versa that has been driving me nuts. We have been hearing a consistent rattle coming from the upper portion of the dash, right in the middle. I had assumed it was coming from under that dash panel which is directly above the storage compartment (above the stereo). So last night I removed that piece and drove around. I was still hearing the rattle, but I couldn't tell where in that space it was coming from. I started feeling all around and all of a sudden, I found it! It's not coming from that area at all. It was coming from farther back behind that spot where the dash literally meets the windshield glass. The dash assembly is vibrating against the glass right in the very center. I took a piece of paper and folded it over several times to make it thick enough and then wedged it in that space. IT WORKED!!! The rattle stopped! Now I just need to find some foam or rubber or something which I can wedge in there permanently and won't show. Just thought I'd share in case anyone else has the same rattle.

[Ever Victorious]

I get that exact same rattle when the car is cold. But it has to be COLD... as in 35 degrees or less. Check to make sure that when your car is at full temp with the heater operating for at least 10-15 minutes that the squeak is still there. If so, go for it. If not, I'd hesitate about sticking something TOO thick in there, because it could potentially cause a stress fracture to form in the summer when it's too hot.

[matt_a]

I get that exact same rattle when the car is cold. But it has to be COLD... as in 35 degrees or less. Check to make sure that when your car is at full temp with the heater operating for at least 10-15 minutes that the squeak is still there. If so, go for it. If not, I'd hesitate about sticking something TOO thick in there, because it could potentially cause a stress fracture to form in the summer when it's too hot.

That's an excellent point. We do have a creaking sound which comes from the right side of the dash whenever it's cold. This rattle in the center however, has been present in all ranges of temperature. It's there even in hot weather. But I will take your point into consideration when I put foam in there, in case something does expand in the heat.

[Rockhound]

I know I'll sound like a broken record...but that thin (2mm) craft foam (available at walmart, among other stores) should do the trick. My G's dash had a similar rattle where the a-pillars meet the dash. I cut out a couple strips of this foam (which happens to come in a number of colors) and wedged it in the seams to buffer the two pieces from making contact. Definitely worth it at something like $0.98 a sheet (cheaper in multi-packs). I think the brand I found was called 'foamies' or something really manly like that.

[marleyfan]

Ok I know this has nothing do do with the Versa but this reminds me of a story. I had a '97 Safari Van and was constantly hearing a rattling noise that I couldn't locate. Happened when I accelerated, braked, or went round corners. I had my son crawling all over the Van for days trying to locate the source. I was planing to make an appointment for the shop. Finally my son says Dad it sounds like its coming from above. Turns out it was a pine cone on the roof rolling around kept on the roof by the roof rack. Glad I never brought it in for that, I would have felt like an idiot.

[matt_a]

Ok I know this has nothing do do with the Versa but this reminds me of a story. I had a '97 Safari Van and was constantly hearing a rattling noise that I couldn't locate. Happened when I accelerated, braked, or went round corners. I had my son crawling all over the Van for days trying to locate the source. I was planing to make an appointment for the shop. Finally my son says Dad it sounds like its coming from above. Turns out it was a pine cone on the roof rolling around kept on the roof by the roof rack. Glad I never brought it in for that, I would have felt like an idiot.

LOL..that's a great story!

I took some foam home from work. It's the dark gray open-cell foam that you would normally see used to cushion cameras in a hard sided case. I cut a piece to a little over an inch (cube) and stuffed it in to the space with a flat head screwdriver. The foam compresses very easily, so there is not a lot of force being applied. It's just enough cushion to stop the rattle (THANK GOD) and you can't see it.

[c5neb]

I had the same issue, but directly in front of the steering wheel where the dash meets the windshield. Again, it occurrred on colder days and/or rough pavement. A thin piece of gray sheet foam tucked in between the dash and WS did the trick.

[CYCLEGUY]

I thank you all for this forum and the tons of useful info. I took my V to the dealer for this problem and tried to duplicate the noise to them but I couldn't ( it figures ). They said they would take care of it and guess what?? They didn't.. Being discouraged, I went to the forum and came across this thread and my hope was restored .. I went back to the Dealer and presented my newly found info to my Service writer and he told me they were going to put foam tape on all the contact points under the dash and that fixed it..

Thank you so much, I could not have done this without this info. I was ready to give up and turn up my radio..

[matt_a]

I thank you all for this forum and the tons of useful info. I took my V to the dealer for this problem and tried to duplicate the noise to them but I couldn't ( it figures ). They said they would take care of it and guess what?? They didn't.. Being discouraged, I went to the forum and came across this thread and my hope was restored .. I went back to the Dealer and presented my newly found info to my Service writer and he told me they were going to put foam tape on all the contact points under the dash and that fixed it..

Thank you so much, I could not have done this without this info. I was ready to give up and turn up my radio..

That's great! I'm glad to hear that it helped you out. This forum has provided me with some very useful information as well.

[jj718]

I have the same problem and had chalked it up to my A/V system. Thought I was going to have to Dynamat the whole dash.. Thank god I read this one. BTW, the foam sounds alot like a product we sell at my job, it's called backer rod - soft cell. Comes in plenty of sizes from like 3/8" and up to like 4" - you can get a sample of it for free at most Construction Products Suppliers. Hope that someone puts that info to use. I'm grabbing me some a.s.a.p.

[Driver X]

Nice find... I have that same noise in the same area, now I dont have to go searching for it... later today I will fix it!

[Marsg22]

I too have FINALLY found the origin of the rattling in my G35. It was driving me nuts and I really didn't like anyone to ride with me because it was embarrassing. I took it to the dealer a couple of times and they stuffed extra foam around the air bag just inside the dash which helped for a while, but the noise quickly returned. So today, I started feeling all around the dash until I was able to duplicate the sound by pressing the dash against the windshield. I bought some black Weather -strip (5/16 X 3/4") and stuffed it in there. The strip is soft and has some give to it so that it cushions. It WORKED! The noise disappeared. I can't believe it took such a simple thing. Not even the dealer was able to figure it out. I'm happy again and don't mind passengers anymore. Hope this helps.

[faction]

Thank you! I will get to work on my squeak this weekend!