Center Console Creaking Driving Me Crazy

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

May 10, 2008 | 06:18 AM

carfanmd

Thread Starter

Rookie

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 94

Likes: 2

From: MD

Center Console Creaking Driving Me Crazy

Well once again I have an LS where the center stack around the radio and nave creaks every time the car turns or flexes in any way. Very annoying. I just rented a camry in LA on business and that doesn't do it. Nothing I drive does it except this car. The dealer has tried one time to solve it but it actually seems worse. Any ideas? Any suggestions? I like the car a lot but it makes me insane to be listening to the ML sound system and hear this Snap, Crackle and Pop in the background coming from this plastic. This is the kind of thing that will deep six the car for me if it can't be cured. I hate creaks and rattles and this is not acceptable. Thanks for letting me vent (no pun intended).

May 10, 2008 | 07:47 AM

Gordy35

Rookie

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 66

Likes: 0

From: Ft Lauderdale, FL

I have the same problem in my LS460 and it sounds like it is coming from where the wood panel is in the center console where the shifter is. I also had this problem with 08 IS350, but it was coming from the plastic around the Navi. I solved this problem by putting some felt between the dash and the plastic and between where the plastic parts meet. I did not have to take the dash apart. I just used a very small flat headed screw driver to push the felt in place, just be careful not to scratch the plastic or wood. I hope this helps you

May 10, 2008 | 10:56 AM

Stoks

Rookie

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 73

Likes: 1

From: OK

Man I feel your pain! I had a GS 350 that did this and it drove me crazy.

The dealer was able to get the squeaking and cracking fixed by adding felt in a few specific areas. I hope you're able to get it fixed as well.

May 10, 2008 | 12:37 PM

Patric

Pole Position

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 225

Likes: 0

From: WA

Mine has started to creak as well but I hesitate to take it into the dealer as the dash was apart to install the Nav over-ride module in CA. and my dealer may cry foul.

Pat

May 10, 2008 | 01:05 PM

clemgrad85

Pit Crew

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 227

Likes: 18

From: SC

I hope I never have problems with the NAV, the ML system, or creaking as I too wonder about them crying "foul". It will be interesting to see when someone with the override system has to take their LS in for some issue with that whole area.

May 11, 2008 | 07:19 PM

Carl L

Driver School Candidate

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 30

Likes: 0

From: CA

Try Vinylex. It's silicone spray from the makers of Lexol. Just don't get it on the leather as it will make it shiny.

May 13, 2008 | 03:45 PM

carfanmd

Thread Starter

Rookie

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 94

Likes: 2

From: MD

I'm going to go to service. Strangely when its cold I have fewer creaks. Its the heat that causes this thing to sound like a flexing piece of plastic (expansion in my experience caused creaks to cease not start). Not happy at all. Thanks for the suggestions. I would be very interested to see if anyone has had this issue and fixed it via some TSB or service dept efforts. I think most of these service techs are not as able to deal with fit and finish problems such as creaks and rattles unless the TSB is issued or you get somebody who really cares. Most are trained to handle issues when parts go bad, lights go on, computers show errors and the like. This type of fix requires an attention to detail that may be hard to find. We'll give it a try, however.

May 15, 2008 | 09:33 AM

2007es350

Lead Lap

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 410

Likes: 0

From: ca

I had a similar issue with creaking around the center console and around the navigation surround. The dealer fixed the center console issue but told me the creaking around the navigation surround was normal. Yes, it happened when the weather warmed up.

Now, I have rattling issues from the dashboard when the weather gets cold. I'll have the dealer address this and the glove box issue in the fall when it gets cold again.

May 19, 2008 | 07:39 PM

#10

carfanmd

Thread Starter

Rookie

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 94

Likes: 2

From: MD

Dealer took apart the center console and applied noise reduction tape to all areas and clips. I would say it is 95% better. Certainly acceptable. They tried some stuff around the Nav but it still creaks a bit but within normal limits. We'll see what happens when the car gets really warm. I must commend the dealer and the tech who did it. He is a special diagnostic tech who specializes in this type of thing. Stay tuned for more reports as the weather warms up. Thanks.