Convertible creaks and rattles, any way to fix it?

sunil6784

Member

Mar 31, 2005

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Boston, MA

Dec 15, 2005

#1

• Dec 15, 2005

• #1

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

The Avatar Master

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Dec 15, 2005

#2

• Dec 15, 2005

• #2

sunil6784 said:

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?

Click to expand...

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

Last night I stabbed the same guy 7 times in a row

Oct 17, 2004

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Dec 15, 2005

#3

• Dec 15, 2005

• #3

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

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Aug 26, 2005

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Gone Fishing

Dec 15, 2005

#4

• Dec 15, 2005

• #4

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

 

sunil6784

Member

Mar 31, 2005

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Boston, MA

Dec 15, 2005

#5

• Dec 15, 2005

• #5

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

 

T

tjm73

Founding Member

Aug 3, 2000

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Rush, NY

Dec 15, 2005

#6

• Dec 15, 2005

• #6

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

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Dec 15, 2005

#7

• Dec 15, 2005

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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.

 

W

WQRed50

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May 21, 2004

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Burnham, IL

Dec 15, 2005

#8

• Dec 15, 2005

• #8

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.

 

B

bcmbcmbcm

20+ Year Stangneter

Jan 29, 2003

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Dec 17, 2005

#9

• Dec 17, 2005

• #9

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

 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master

Apr 10, 2002

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Charlotte, NC

Dec 17, 2005

#10

• Dec 17, 2005

• #10

...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

New Member

Nov 23, 2005

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Dec 17, 2005

#11

• Dec 17, 2005

• #11

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.

 

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Michael Yount

Mustang Master

Apr 10, 2002

9,039

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79

Charlotte, NC

Dec 17, 2005

#12

• Dec 17, 2005

• #12

...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

Last night I stabbed the same guy 7 times in a row

Oct 17, 2004

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Woodward Ave.

Dec 17, 2005

#13

• Dec 17, 2005

• #13

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

SN Certified Technician

Aug 8, 2003

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NJ

Dec 17, 2005

#14

• Dec 17, 2005

• #14

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.

 

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Repostyle

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Jun 11, 2005

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Portland, OR

Dec 17, 2005

#15

• Dec 17, 2005

• #15

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.