How To Find and Fix Dashboard Noises

Rattles and squeaks in a cars interior, no matter how small, drive me insane!

I feel you Brian. Dash rattles and creaks are the bane of my existence. Thanks OCD

I had a similar problem. I solved it by turning up the volume of my stereo

Eric, Thank you for posting this video on fixing dashboard noises. I had a rattle in the driver side heating vent that was very annoying. After watching your video I purchased $6 worth of foam tape and felt tape and repaired this problem in about 15 minutes. This rattle had been driving me crazy for about 8 months. You are the best!!! Keep up the great work.

Eric I can't thank you enough for this video. I own a 2017 Toyota RAV 4 and recently discovered a rattle that appeared to be coming from the dash area. It was driving me crazy. Seriously considered selling the car. I dreaded bringing it to the dealer and likely spending $300 and leaving with the same rattle. I found this video of you working on a 2013 RAV 4. The rattle seemed about the same volume and same location. I had no idea how to remove the dashboard trim and two side vents until you demonstrated. I removed all those components and carefully insulated every possible area where there was plastic-to-plastic contact or a loose fit with dense foam and foam tape. I securely snapped everything back together and took it for a test ride around the neighborhood. I thought it was gone but after a few blocks THERE IT WAS! I went one step further.... I gently pried-off the trim around the instrument cluster and packed that with foam. That was the culprit. To my delight... ABSOLUTE SILENCE! Thanks to you.

Cool vid Eric! I like seeing Brian in vids. I am also very grateful to have him film you so you can be more productive while filming. It must truly be a blessing. I hope he sticks around.

I've been struggling with these very same rattles in my '15 RAV4 basically from 15k miles on, so I can't stress enough how happy I was to find this video.

Great video, Eric! NVH is a very expensive sector, and people who are really good at locating NVH issues have great job security with vehicle manufacturers. If you search online, you can find large sheets (or rolls) of 1/8" and 1/4" closed cell foam pretty cheap. It's the same stuff a lot of the OEMs use to block noise from outside the vehicle, and it works great as a cushion for rattly parts. Neoprene also works well to dampen vibrations. Both are flexible and resistant to moisture; great for applying to trim pieces! :)

Love how you added yourself as Camera man as well at the end of the video. You did awesome!!

Remember the good old days when parts were metal and were screwed together? Too damn much plastic and awful plastic clips! Nothing is designed to last anymore.

Hi Eric, just want to say thanks for the great video. I was concerned about a dashboard "bump" noise on my Honda Jazz over past few weeks. I thought it was coming from inside the dash, so I follow your "fist knock" test and found out there is nothing loose from the dashboard. I knocked the glove box and it gives me the "plastic knocking" noise and it turns out, the plastic cover (that cover all electronics cable) under the glove box is not closed properly (the clip wasn't attached properly) and it gives the plastic knock noise when I go over bumps. I took the cover off and clipped it again (the noise is gone now) I just fixed the noise by watching your video. Thanks!!

wow two Eric the car guy response in one week I am truly blessed keep up the great work and thank all the great people around you that make this channel so much fun to watch

Nice one, always pays to keep your cameraman happy. That self adhesive foam is great for stuff like that, i hate rattles in the car, so my dash and centre console have their fair share of it added, along with a bit of silicon sealant along the back of joints on the console. Worst part of solving issues on a car your unfamiliar with is working out how something comes apart, i am always scared of breaking the plastic clips by pulling in the wrong direction on something, especially on older cars where the plastic gets brittle.

Some of this foam and felt tape can be found at your local arts and crafts stores.

I daily drove a 94 Miata for 7 years... THAT thing was an absolute rattle trap thanks to the age of the car, and the stiff suspension and harsh shocks. I spent years fixing and diagnosing squeaks, rattles, buzzes and chirps, and never got them all solved. My OCD wouldn't let me stop. It always annoyed me so much. I think I had the entire dash out of the car and apart probably 4 or 5 times, doing this process to all of the pieces in it...

Looks like im pulling part of my dash apart tomorrow

I hear this anoyying noise, but it only happens when my girlfriend is upset. does that anti rattle tape work for her?

I've used different sized adhesive foam weatherstrip as well. When i first put some performance motor mounts in my MX-5 that unearthed a whole new world of dash rattles. Now i've got it narrowed down to one dash rattle inside the vent diverter box and a bunch of door rattles soon to be adressed. Thanks, Eric for finding me some legit product to use in this application!.

Great video. These rattling noises can drive you crazy. Thanks.

The things that makes me smiling right now is that Eric is helping his friend. And that is cool.