Most of the time when I drive over rough roads I get this creaking from the ac control area.

Its honestly driving me insane. Should I go to the dealer (it’s out of warranty) or does a car audio shop do this kind of thing?

I’m just worried that they won’t be able to fix it and waste money.

Not handy at all, so doing it myself isn’t an option

What would you do?

 

Does it make the sound when you push on it with your hand? Does it also happen when you push on the CD/Volume controls unit?

If so then adding felt tape between the climate controls and volume controls likely will fix your issue.

I know you say your not handy...but it is very easy to take that apart up to the climate controls. Youll be amazed at how fast and easy it was. Your hands and I think a couple screws.

Removing the climate controls entirely takes a bit more work, although very doable but I think the vents need to come out first if I remember correctly. It's more daunting but also very DIY friendly.

In short, felt tape should be your fix here. And you'll be very impressed with how easy this was to do yourself.

 

Yeah it does creak when I press on the chrome pieces on the left and right of the shifter.

Do you think a dealer could felt it without paying big money?
if it was just an hour job that would be awesome

 

Depends on the dealer. I complained about my b pillar rattling (which it still does) and they put some kind of lubricant on the seals and it goes away and temporarily comes back. When I was in warranty, they put some felt in but it didn't make a difference and they didn't really care. Dealers low key don't care about little things like that (but to us is a huge annoyance).. might be a waste of money

 

Is the rattle bad? Do you just live with it?

 

Like said, the dealer doesn't really care. Even under warranty (unless maybe you just purchased the car from them).

If its those trim pieces along side the shifter area it's even easier. I'm telling you 2 minutes, not exaggerated. The dealer will want min 1 hour labor and you run the chance of getting it back with the same issue, likely they just don't care enough to ad felt, test, add more, etc. Until it's completely fixed.

 

Here is a video I just pulled up. Watch the first 2 mins.

 

yeah, it's actually really annoying cus it just got worse. i forgot what they did but they used some kind of lubricant on the door jams. i thought it was the actual door panel and they put felt in for me which didn't fix it. took it to the dealership 1 a few times for them to diagnose. the first dealer gave up and said they didn't 'hear anything' after they couldn't solve it.
2nd dealer said they heard it and use the lubricant to the door seals and fixed the rattling. it all depends on the quality of the dealer and knowledge of the ppl working on your cars. basically, i'll have to go buy some of that to put into the door jams. i have some rattles in the back (i think it's a seat belt) from exhaust and my visors (from my subwoofer). mind you, this was all done under warranty and i had to go multiple times (you want to spend money)-- i'm really against wasting money for a small outcome or something that won't even fix your problem.

gotta remember, IS (at the time) was the budget lexus so our cars don't have the top tier lexus parts like the RX and above do. still using cheap plastics in areas. my door handle (chrome) vibrates too and if you notice in the new cars, they switched to aluminum. i was SO OCD about the rattles but i learned it is what it is, i just put my music up now and don't pay attention to it anymore.

if you are saying it's the head unit, try the dealer (i noticed when you get a service done, they usually look at it for free) OR try a professional audio install place to check it out as you mentioned. that was my experience