Fixed dash board rattle
Prior to the fix, did you notice a creaking sound near the driver's side air vent?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 8
From: USA
Has anyone gotten the dash TSB fix? I have a creak or two coming from the center area near where the windshield/dash meet up. Also sometimes around the center vents in the front. The TSB supposedly fixes this. I'm worried about the techs taking apart my car though 
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: CA
I've had these $^@$%^$@ rattles and squeeks since day one. I've had them coming from just about everywhere. First the center console was squeeking which they replaced and now is just about perfect. Then I had rattles coming from the dashboard especially around the nav area. Once they started working on that they sort of fixed that problem but created other ones. So now I have a combination of squeeks, rattles, pops and creaking sounds. What's worse is that the left front door right by my ear makes a popping sounds and a rattling sound. The other problem is that the area where my dealer is located has the greatest streets so you don't hear anything when the tech drives with you. But I live about 10 miles away and the streets are much worse there. I've been so disappointed with the interior quality (fit-and-finish) of this car. My Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla had much better quality than this car. We shouldn't be having any problems of this nature with a car of this price and let alone because it's a Lexus. Unfortunately, they also raised the quality level and our expectations to a point where this is not acceptable. I've just about given up that this won't be fixed. My newest problem now is a slight popping/cracking sound coming from under the seat. When I get in the car and start driving the seat makes this sound and I hear it and feel it almost as if the seat was moving a bit. I'll have to bring it in but it's going to be one of those &^%^$%^ problems to have to explain again and have to try and see if the tech can "feel/hear" it also. I just love explaining these %^$%@$ sounds!!!!!!
Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: MI
I've had these $^@$%^$@ rattles and squeeks since day one. I've had them coming from just about everywhere. First the center console was squeeking which they replaced and now is just about perfect. Then I had rattles coming from the dashboard especially around the nav area. Once they started working on that they sort of fixed that problem but created other ones. So now I have a combination of squeeks, rattles, pops and creaking sounds. What's worse is that the left front door right by my ear makes a popping sounds and a rattling sound. The other problem is that the area where my dealer is located has the greatest streets so you don't hear anything when the tech drives with you. But I live about 10 miles away and the streets are much worse there. I've been so disappointed with the interior quality (fit-and-finish) of this car. My Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla had much better quality than this car. We shouldn't be having any problems of this nature with a car of this price and let alone because it's a Lexus. Unfortunately, they also raised the quality level and our expectations to a point where this is not acceptable. I've just about given up that this won't be fixed. My newest problem now is a slight popping/cracking sound coming from under the seat. When I get in the car and start driving the seat makes this sound and I hear it and feel it almost as if the seat was moving a bit. I'll have to bring it in but it's going to be one of those &^%^$%^ problems to have to explain again and have to try and see if the tech can "feel/hear" it also. I just love explaining these %^$%@$ sounds!!!!!!
Yea I feel your pain. I've spent a lot of time chasing after each and every rattle I hear in my IS. From my research and personal experience here are the sources of noise I have remedied that may hopefully help you in your quest for a rattle and pop free vehicle:
1. Seat creak: I have not had this problem, but there is a TSB out there for this. From what I learn this is not only an issue on the IS but other Lexus models as well.
2. Rattle above NAV: I removed the center vents and then could easily duplicate the noise by pushing on the HVAC ducts. It sounds like the plastic HVAC ducts rattle against something near the firewall which sometimes make it sound like the rattle is near the window or center speaker grill.
3. Rattle on right side of Dash: This one sometimes sounded like it came from the glovebox or passenger door, but I found that by putting pressure on the corner of the dash where it meets the window I could duplicate the sound. I used felt from a arts & craft store to fix this by folding a pretty large piece and wedging it b/w the dash and firewall. There is a known TSB for this as well but it requires the dealer to remove the entire dash and I wasn't too excited about that.
4. Rattle at the B-Pillar by left ear: I removed the plastic garnish that runs up the B-pillar from the floor and then put some felt on all clips. This was an easy 5 min fix. You can get adhesive backed felt that will work perfectly.
5. Rattle in left vent: Similar to #2, I put some foam above the plastic duct to prevent movements and put some ahdesive backed felt on several of the plastic clips.
I would say my car is now about 98% rattle free....for now.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
From: ca
Yea I feel your pain. I've spent a lot of time chasing after each and every rattle I hear in my IS. From my research and personal experience here are the sources of noise I have remedied that may hopefully help you in your quest for a rattle and pop free vehicle:
1. Seat creak: I have not had this problem, but there is a TSB out there for this. From what I learn this is not only an issue on the IS but other Lexus models as well.
2. Rattle above NAV: I removed the center vents and then could easily duplicate the noise by pushing on the HVAC ducts. It sounds like the plastic HVAC ducts rattle against something near the firewall which sometimes make it sound like the rattle is near the window or center speaker grill.
3. Rattle on right side of Dash: This one sometimes sounded like it came from the glovebox or passenger door, but I found that by putting pressure on the corner of the dash where it meets the window I could duplicate the sound. I used felt from a arts & craft store to fix this by folding a pretty large piece and wedging it b/w the dash and firewall. There is a known TSB for this as well but it requires the dealer to remove the entire dash and I wasn't too excited about that.
4. Rattle at the B-Pillar by left ear: I removed the plastic garnish that runs up the B-pillar from the floor and then put some felt on all clips. This was an easy 5 min fix. You can get adhesive backed felt that will work perfectly.
5. Rattle in left vent: Similar to #2, I put some foam above the plastic duct to prevent movements and put some ahdesive backed felt on several of the plastic clips.
I would say my car is now about 98% rattle free....for now.
1. Seat creak: I have not had this problem, but there is a TSB out there for this. From what I learn this is not only an issue on the IS but other Lexus models as well.
2. Rattle above NAV: I removed the center vents and then could easily duplicate the noise by pushing on the HVAC ducts. It sounds like the plastic HVAC ducts rattle against something near the firewall which sometimes make it sound like the rattle is near the window or center speaker grill.
3. Rattle on right side of Dash: This one sometimes sounded like it came from the glovebox or passenger door, but I found that by putting pressure on the corner of the dash where it meets the window I could duplicate the sound. I used felt from a arts & craft store to fix this by folding a pretty large piece and wedging it b/w the dash and firewall. There is a known TSB for this as well but it requires the dealer to remove the entire dash and I wasn't too excited about that.
4. Rattle at the B-Pillar by left ear: I removed the plastic garnish that runs up the B-pillar from the floor and then put some felt on all clips. This was an easy 5 min fix. You can get adhesive backed felt that will work perfectly.
5. Rattle in left vent: Similar to #2, I put some foam above the plastic duct to prevent movements and put some ahdesive backed felt on several of the plastic clips.
I would say my car is now about 98% rattle free....for now.
Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: MI
I did take the cover off only to give me something to grab onto so that I could pull the instrument panel (dash) towards the rear which allowed for just enough clearance between the firewall and instrument panel so that I could put folded pieces of felt back there.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,471
Likes: 0
From: SF
Yea I feel your pain. I've spent a lot of time chasing after each and every rattle I hear in my IS. From my research and personal experience here are the sources of noise I have remedied that may hopefully help you in your quest for a rattle and pop free vehicle:
1. Seat creak: I have not had this problem, but there is a TSB out there for this. From what I learn this is not only an issue on the IS but other Lexus models as well.
2. Rattle above NAV: I removed the center vents and then could easily duplicate the noise by pushing on the HVAC ducts. It sounds like the plastic HVAC ducts rattle against something near the firewall which sometimes make it sound like the rattle is near the window or center speaker grill.
3. Rattle on right side of Dash: This one sometimes sounded like it came from the glovebox or passenger door, but I found that by putting pressure on the corner of the dash where it meets the window I could duplicate the sound. I used felt from a arts & craft store to fix this by folding a pretty large piece and wedging it b/w the dash and firewall. There is a known TSB for this as well but it requires the dealer to remove the entire dash and I wasn't too excited about that.
4. Rattle at the B-Pillar by left ear: I removed the plastic garnish that runs up the B-pillar from the floor and then put some felt on all clips. This was an easy 5 min fix. You can get adhesive backed felt that will work perfectly.
5. Rattle in left vent: Similar to #2, I put some foam above the plastic duct to prevent movements and put some ahdesive backed felt on several of the plastic clips.
I would say my car is now about 98% rattle free....for now.
1. Seat creak: I have not had this problem, but there is a TSB out there for this. From what I learn this is not only an issue on the IS but other Lexus models as well.
2. Rattle above NAV: I removed the center vents and then could easily duplicate the noise by pushing on the HVAC ducts. It sounds like the plastic HVAC ducts rattle against something near the firewall which sometimes make it sound like the rattle is near the window or center speaker grill.
3. Rattle on right side of Dash: This one sometimes sounded like it came from the glovebox or passenger door, but I found that by putting pressure on the corner of the dash where it meets the window I could duplicate the sound. I used felt from a arts & craft store to fix this by folding a pretty large piece and wedging it b/w the dash and firewall. There is a known TSB for this as well but it requires the dealer to remove the entire dash and I wasn't too excited about that.
4. Rattle at the B-Pillar by left ear: I removed the plastic garnish that runs up the B-pillar from the floor and then put some felt on all clips. This was an easy 5 min fix. You can get adhesive backed felt that will work perfectly.
5. Rattle in left vent: Similar to #2, I put some foam above the plastic duct to prevent movements and put some ahdesive backed felt on several of the plastic clips.
I would say my car is now about 98% rattle free....for now.
I have the rattle #2, 5 and 4. my car has been in dealer for 4 times and they couldnt even fix a single rattle. I guess it's time for me to chop it up by myself.
Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: MI
For the rattles mentioned in #2 and #5 in my previous post, here are pics to illustrate where I put pieces of foam. The main culprit of noise at these locations as I mentioned is the plastic HVAC duct. The key here is to use foam (or whatever) to prevent movement of parts. Putting foam where I indicated pushes the plastic duct towards the firewall and downward which helps stabilize it and keeps it from moving.
Last edited by Cleric; Jan 14, 2007 at 12:15 AM.