Dash Rattle / Creaking

[Graphite]

No problem. Yes, the black circles hold the cowl on - there is a small recess in them where you can use a screwdriver to pry them up about an 1/8 of an inch and the entire clip comes out.

[mattski]

Ok, did the fix today. There was already a piece of clear tape at the bottom of the windshield on my 2010, but it was only about 1/4" wide. I added two strips of electrical tape, one wrapped over the bottom of the glass and another piece layered on top to go higher up. I put the cowl on and trimmed the excess tape that was visible. If I did it again, I would have made sure the second layer extended above the cowl line the whole way across, and then trimmed off the excess. I am not sure if the squeak/creak is coming from the slot on the cowl at the bottom or the plastic edge at the top where it meets the glass... It seems 98% better, we'll see how it holds up.

Thanks for all the tips on the DIY!

Matt

[Graphite]

Yes, my 2009 had that same clear 1/4" factory tape as well. I believe the noise originates from the bottom as I only wrapped the bottom and mine has stayed noise free since I did it.

[Qat]

I just noticed this noise on my 2010 in the last few days (I've got about 2K on it). The dealership has me scheduled for a visit next month, which would be the 3 month of ownership mark. Not sure what it's about - maybe just a routine how-are-things-going checkup (probably should call and find out). But I'm going to hold out and see if I can get the foam tape fix then.

[mattski]

Originally Posted by Qat

I just noticed this noise on my 2010 in the last few days (I've got about 2K on it). The dealership has me scheduled for a visit next month, which would be the 3 month of ownership mark. Not sure what it's about - maybe just a routine how-are-things-going checkup (probably should call and find out). But I'm going to hold out and see if I can get the foam tape fix then.

I wonder how the foam tape will hold up. If it is the open cell foam, I wonder if it will last 100k with the constant rubbing/binding that is causing the squeak/creak. I love doing things myself (although I would have preferred they engineer it right the first time) so I know i can go back in there in less than 15 minutes if I have to redo the fix at some point.

Let us know how it works out.

[Qat]

Originally Posted by mattski

I love doing things myself (although I would have preferred they engineer it right the first time) so I know i can go back in there in less than 15 minutes if I have to redo the fix at some point.

Let us know how it works out.

I'm with there - I find that frequently the 'authorized' technicians either don't know what they are doing or don't have a lot of pride in their work. I've had minor issues looked at by the dealership on other automobiles only to have them made worse. I'm thinking I want to do it myself. Besides, I saw either on this forum or over at Nicoclub where someone put hvac tube insulation on the air conditioning system and saw evidence of increased efficiency. I might like to try that and it involves removing the cowl.

[HoustonMo]

Had the same problem on my 2010 & when I took it in for the 15k I told them about it. Getting it back they said they had done all they could but there was still a rattle. Needed to make an all day appointment in order to remove the dash.
On the way home the rattle was 10 times worse than before. I read these comments and to test what was going on I placed tooth picks between the glass & cowl. All the rattles and any other sounds are gone.
I take it in tonight for what was the all day appointment tomorrow and still have the tooth picks in place to show them.

[hokey777]

My .02: The windshield cowl needs to be remove and cleaned and put back on. I added black electrical tape to the bottom of the windsheild and that fixed my rattle - 30 minute job.

[DrewZ]

I was able to eliminate the creak by simply slipping an index card shim between the window and cowl and swiping side to side "cleaning" between the cowl and window and viola...completely gone. Not sure if it will be permanent but was a lot easier than taking it apart IMO

Drew

[Road King]

Originally Posted by DrewZ

I was able to eliminate the creak by simply slipping an index card shim between the window and cowl and swiping side to side "cleaning" between the cowl and window and viola...completely gone. Not sure if it will be permanent but was a lot easier than taking it apart IMO

Drew

Im convinced that the origin of the squeak is road grime that gets between the windshield and the plastic cowl. I have found that pushing down on the cowl starting at the center and moving out to the sides reproduces the squeak. Keep pressing down until the up and down motion of the cowl dislodges the grit and thus eliminates the squeak. I have had to do this a couple of times since I bought my MO in Sept. 2011, but the five minute fix beats taking it to the dealership and wasting a couple of hours of my time.

[Halwg]

Can't you just take either a water hose, or an air hose and blow debris out of there? I'm wondering where you folks are parking your cars that you are getting this much debris between the cowl and the windshield??

[hokey777]

Originally Posted by Halwg

Can't you just take either a water hose, or an air hose and blow debris out of there?

That'l work for a while, but it comes back. I have not had it come back since I added the black electrical tape to the cowl.

[Road King]

Originally Posted by Halwg

Can't you just take either a water hose, or an air hose and blow debris out of there? I'm wondering where you folks are parking your cars that you are getting this much debris between the cowl and the windshield??

It's road grime! You don't get it while being parked. You get it from the cars and trucks in front of you picking up small bits of dust and debris and you driving through it. Rain adds to the problem by washing it down into the crevice between the windshield and the cowl. An air hose probably would not penetrate the gap. If you haven't had the problem, consider yourself lucky. If you go get it, try my solution.

[pcwd]

Hi,

I'm having the same windshield crackling sound with my vehicle. It seems to go away when it is raining. Although you can still slightly hear it.

What is the best solution to fix this? Putting electrical tape on both sides of the bottom of the windshield so the cowl will sandwich the tape and completely isolate the cowl from the glass?


I wonder if something else is causing this noise in my vehicle. I used felt to completely isolate the cowl from glass and still getting the noise. However, when I drove around with the cowl off then no noise. I wonder if maybe my windshield is not installed properly at the factory. Therefore, when the cowl grab onto the windshield, it causes the windshield to move and rub against something. It's worse when cold out like 0C (32F) and colder.

Thanks.

[hokey777]

I curled the black tape all the way along the bottom of the cowl where it contacts the windshield. You can't (barely) see it, and no more noise.