Convertible creaks and rattles, any way to fix it?

[sunil6784]

My car's away for the winter, and I want to start on some small winter projects. One of them is the rattles on the interior of my convertible. I already have subframe connectors and a strut tower brace. I find a lot of the rattles are coming from the dash, and when the windows are up, there seem to be more rattles. I'm thinking about taking apart the dash, (gonna do the heater core, and speedo cable while i'm in there) and add some dynamat to it, hoping that it will absorb some of the rattles. Any one else have any tips or suggestions?

 

[Henceforward]

My car's away for the winter, and I want to start on some small winter projects. One of them is the rattles on the interior of my convertible. I already have subframe connectors and a strut tower brace. I find a lot of the rattles are coming from the dash, and when the windows are up, there seem to be more rattles. I'm thinking about taking apart the dash, (gonna do the heater core, and speedo cable while i'm in there) and add some dynamat to it, hoping that it will absorb some of the rattles. Any one else have any tips or suggestions?

Are they Full Length, mine shut my car up a bunch. As for squeaks, ask a freind to drive, and spray the convertible stuff with WD-40. As for the dash I have those too, they are small little cracks, and pops right. I haven't a clue where those come from.

You can use graphite on everything you install, all the plastic dash stuff, that will help for a while. They sell little pens, and applicators at hobby stores.

 

[srothfuss]

You can go to an army surplus store and get some thin sheets of foam. Wrap any loose wire bundles with the foam and that should help a little. If you take the dash out, tighten all of the nuts again. I have a serious squeak at the door panel to A pillar. I used some BSR (buzz squeak and rattle) tape to get rid of it...

I need to get my wife to spray the WD-40 on my convertible frame next spring.

 

[CoupedUp]

Even both my coupes have squeeks with all the bracing.
It's all part of fox territory.

 

[sunil6784]

No, the sub frame connectors are not full length. How much of a difference would those make ?

 

[tjm73]

Welcome to the realities of convertibles.

I too have squeaks and creeks to chase down.

I just realized the other day that my car is now 16 years old.

 

[HISSIN50]

I do the same kind of thing as Srothfuss. Even double sided tape applied in unseen areas can help separate parts that rub.
Cowl shake and squeaks go hand in hand.

Good luck.

 

[WQRed50]

Sounds like you and I are opposites....

I just tore my interior apart to replace the carpeting, upholstery, console and gauge cluster. While I had everything out, I tightened every nut and bolt I could find and get too. Some were really loose and some were not, but when it was finished, it was noticeably quieter. It also solved a few electrical ground problems too. The doors are next.

This winter I am getting the sub-frame connectors and the strut tower braces put in. Hopefully that will keep things a little tighter.

 

[bcmbcmbcm]

I fixed all of my rattles by putting the top down and driving real fast!

 

[Michael Yount]

...invest in a good stereo... and then turn it up --- way up.

The more you can stiffen up the chassis - the better off you'll be. Full length, weld-in subframes help. But the verts are gonna be a challenge no matter what because once the top is cut off, they really become flexible. Some use the subframes with X-cradle and ties to the rocker panels. A welded in roll cage will stiffen things up considerably.

 

[SmokinSaleen]

This is just the nature of the beast of owning a vert. I put full length subframes, shocks, isolators, springs, struts and it cut down tremendously on the creeking noises but they are not all gone 95% are though and I am satisfied. I knew going in with this being a vert not to expect miracles.

 

[Michael Yount]

...just as an aside - I have driven a rental 05 vert (V6) and rode in a friend's 05 GT vert - both with less than 7000 miles. And both had noticeable rattles.....

 

[srothfuss]

As smokin stated... It comes with owning a convertible. You pay for the ability to put the top down and cruise around. I love having a convertible!

Everything mentioned here will help.... Maybe I need to look into those SFC's with the additional bracing.

 

[2000xp8]

Don't bother switching to full length connectors, really doesn't make that much of a difference, and may make none as far as stopping rattles go.

Put a full roll cage in, you'd be amazed at what it can do. If you are skeptical, find someone that has one, and open and slam their door, nothing, nada, no noise. Then go and slam yours.

 

[Repostyle]

I've noticed more rattles and creeks in my vert since I lowered it and put in the full length sub frames. I think it's the top frame but aside from replacing it all together I think they will be there forever. I think all you can do is track them down and lube the hell outta them. I was having trouble with my top latches , they seemed really stiff trying to get them to latch and hit them with WD-40, now the passenger side wont stay latched, it's got a "chip clip" fix on it now. It's just wierd driving down the road and seeing my rear window vibrate back and forth a good inch in both directions when I look in the mirror. I'm sure that will tighten up considerably when I get my new top put on and the rips and tears will be out of the picture.