Dash rattle is driving me nuts

[Jeff Clark]

I have a rattle behind the dash that I can't figure out. It's just to the right of the middle and all the way back against the firewall under the windshield. It squeaks some but rattles mostly. It sounds like a mounting bracket has broke and the thing is still hanging there. Problem is, it doesn't rattle all the time. It can go several days without a sound and then rattle for a few weeks and then go away again.

I've removed every panel I can trying to find it. I've tried turning the radio up. I'm out of ideas.

I just saw the post from groundpounder about rattles. My airbox is gone so I know that's not the problem.
------------------
98. 5 3500 QC 4x4, Driftwood/Mist Grey, 5 spd, 3. 54, 19. 5 Alcoa's, Ranchhand bumpers, DeeZee toolbox, "Scotty Air", TST PowerMax2, VA, 275's, Autometer Gauges, Centerforce clutch, Upgraded fuel lines (JRE and Aeroquip), MagHytec Diff Cover, PacBrake, Cowl Induction Hood

[This message has been edited by Jeff Clark (edited 01-30-2001). ]

 

[Hale on wheels]

My rattle seems to be coming from under the steering column. My wife is going to have to commit me if I can't find it soon, it's driving me nuts. But it has similar symtoms from what you described, sometimes it goes for days without making a sound, but it always comes back.

------------------
Cody Hale
01. 5 2500, QC, 4x4,Auto
Gig'em Aggies!

 

[mikel]

Originally posted by JNutter:
Don't laugh but you might check the plastic pop rivits that attach your inner fenders to the cab weld flange. If they are not tight the inner fender will make a rattle against the cab weld flang where the firewall is welded to the sides of the cab. It will have a tendancy to rattle at hiway speeds (wind buffeting in fender well ) and slow speed on non smooth surfaces.

Mine did exactly this same thing. About a month after I got it. Only the drivers side did it. I think I used new rivets to fix this problem. The pass side has stayed tight.

Hope this helps

------------------
'99 QC 2500 SLT Driftwood 2wd SB 24v Auto 3. 55 LSD
ISSPRO pyrometer, Walker 21468, 20,000 miles 12-19-00

-- email address removed --

Howdy Agg's!

 

[Jeff Clark]

The fender liner on the passenger side has been loose for a long time now. The rattle just started recently and is very prominent inside the cab which leads me to believe it is something in the cab.

 

[Hale on wheels]

JNutter,
I'll check that this afternoon after work and see if that can be what it is, but my noise almost sounds like a relay switching on and off, then on and off again, but, I don't think that is what the noise actually is since nothing (electrically) changes in the truck.

Jeff, I guess you still haven't found your problem? Let me know if you do.

 

[Millfly]

Had the exact same thing and after 3 months of the ordeal the service department finally found a broken spot weld under the dash. This rattle started out consistantly after 45 minutes and they would continue. It finally got worse and rattled all the time. Service department had the truck 3 or 4 tim3es before they found the problem. Good luck.

------------------
2001 Ram 3500 dually, 4:10, auto, SLT+,anti-spin,custom side paint, Custom pin striping,Advanced Thermal Products Sound Blanket Kit, Smittybar nerf step,Geno's stainless wheel well trim, tonneau cover, air dam, chrome monster tip, mud flaps/chrome tips,pyro-trans-boost gauges, Bosch 275 Injectors, Van Aaken, Kondalay TC & Valve Body.

 

[PHaller]

I also had a rattle like you describe deep under the dash. I finally got into the most contorted position looking directly above the gas pedal under the dash. There was a box screwed to the defroster vent assembly that had a sticker on the face and two wire plugs comming out of it. Both the screws were loose and the thing would rattle. It turned out to be the keyless module. I can't for the life of me figure out why it had to be mounted way up there. It's a real job to even get a screwdriver up there. I tightened it down and the rattle dissapeared.

-Paul R. Haller-

 

[Guest00]

Originally posted by Hale on wheels:
My wife is going to have to commit me if I can't find it soon, it's driving me nuts.

Don't laugh but you might check the plastic pop rivits that attach your inner fenders to the cab weld flange. If they are not tight the inner fender will make a rattle against the cab weld flang where the firewall is welded to the sides of the cab. It will have a tendancy to rattle at hiway speeds (wind buffeting in fender well ) and slow speed on non smooth surfaces.

 

[RWorth]

I have a cricket living in my dash. It seems to squeek when I am turning right or left. For the life of me I have not been able to find this critter. Mine also has the same problem of not making the noise all the time, but when it does it drives me crazy. As for the person who's truck sounds like a relay, I have that problem and what I found to fix the problem is to move the steering shaft, under the hood, up and down a few times and that is what fixed my noise. BTW the steering shaft has been replaced by the factory.

 

[Timinator]

For you guys who replaced the big plastic rivets, where did you get a rivet tool big enough that doesn't cost $100? I can't find a cheap one.

 

[madams]

I second jnutter.

My better half plowed into the back of someone a couple weeks back. Afterwards this rattle occured.

It sounded just like a wire which was suspended just above a surface . . but when I hit a bump . . it would strike the surface. This rattle sounded like it was coming from the upper dash / windshield passenger side area. At normal highway texture / surface / expansion joints were not enough to make the rattle. But small pot holes / bumps would cause the rattle.

I found a few things . . the filter box snoot that goes down the fender was loose from the filter housing. The antenna wire as it went through the opening in the fender. All fixed but still the rattle.

I took jnuter's comment seriously . . since the inner splash wells were moved / fooled with to replace the plastic on the fenders. The passenger side well was the problem. I could shake it and hear the noise in the cab.

I just jammed some shop rags between the plastic and metal. So far 2 days no aggrivating rattle knock on wood . A few more conditions to test under . . then I'll need to find a better solution to correct it perminately.

Thanx JNutter!!

Any source for the rivet gun?

Michael

[This message has been edited by madams (edited 02-01-2001). ]