Rattling Sound

buenor · 06-20-2012, 11:38 AM

I am starting a new thread based on a noise coming from under/in the steering column.

I have found the thread where the TSB for 09s is spelled out (the one where the silicone bits have to be flushed out). My symptoms are a little different though:

The rattling sound doesn't come at a certain RPM (neither does it appear to be dependent on RPMs), but rather when I hit rougher patch of road. When I slow down or stop it goes away and it doesn't come back except at random. I can drive over the same patch of road and it may not come back. It has happened on any type of road at various speeds but I cannot seems to generate it consistently.

I wonder if it is something loose or a bit of plastic under the dash. Has this happened to any one? It doesn't appear to be serious but rather annoying.

Thanks

kenchan · 06-20-2012, 12:13 PM

pound on the lower cover, it might've come loose for some reason.

there's not many things down there that can get loose. maybe your ODB2 port screws came loose or something? i lay on the floor, look up using a flash light, and tap around to see if you can generate the noise you're hearing.

scottIN · 06-20-2012, 12:16 PM

I've got a buzz there, but only at a certain RPM. Mine might just be where two plastic pieces come together. Just never think about checking it when I've got a minute.

buenor · 06-28-2012, 08:49 AM

I haven't taken the steering column cover off yet but I don't think it is serious. When it rattles and I press on the top, center of the steering column cover, at the edge of the instrument panel, the rattle stops. Seems to be something minor as it only shows up on the worst roads. A temporary solution seems to be just sticking a little hard rubber shim of sorts between the instrument panel and the column cover, at least until I figure out how to take the covering apart to take a look.

scottIN · 06-28-2012, 12:26 PM

Something that works pretty well is to take some padded double sided tape and cut slivers of it to put between pieces you think might be rattling. It compresses so it's easy to get in, and if the rattle is there, it sticks and doesn't fall out. And done right, you never see it.

After my Acura was wrecked, it had tons of rattles and that's how I got rid of them.

kenchan · 06-28-2012, 12:27 PM

buenor- becareful taking off the cover under the steering column as you could potentially unhook the leverage latch for your hood release when you pull down.

buenor · 06-30-2012, 10:19 AM

Thanks for the warning kenchan, I ended up no taking the lower cover off.

I noticed that it was a bit tricky but also that it was the top cover that was a bit loose. So I took the bolts off (the ones behind the wheel) and they were a bit loose. Then, re-tightened them. Made a difference, at least in the local roads on which the noise showed up. Haven't heard anything since hopefully it will stay that way, cross fingers.

Shadezz · 06-30-2012, 06:35 PM

Have the same issue with my 12....every now and again small rattle in the top of the steering on harsh roads.

buenor · 07-02-2012, 02:11 PM

Hello Shadezz

The "repair" seems to have done the trick. What I did was:
- Took out the screws that hold the top cover. I only took out the ones behind the steering wheel. Took out one at the time, since I didn't want to go through the whole thing about taking out the steering wheel.
- Jiggled the top cover a bit and sat it back in position. Sorry for the highly technical terminology

Of course I couldn't take it out (those two bolts are not the only ones holding everything in place). But I made sure that if fit properly since I had assume that the rattle was generated by the cover not fitting correctly.
- Reinstalled the screws, make sure they are tightened properly. I didn't force them or anything. Mine were originally not very tight when i took them out.

I will post if anything changes.

kenchan · 07-02-2012, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buenor

Thanks for the warning kenchan, I ended up no taking the lower cover off.

I noticed that it was a bit tricky but also that it was the top cover that was a bit loose. So I took the bolts off (the ones behind the wheel) and they were a bit loose. Then, re-tightened them. Made a difference, at least in the local roads on which the noise showed up. Haven't heard anything since hopefully it will stay that way, cross fingers.

juld0zer · 04-10-2013, 02:55 AM

I thought i cured all my rattles after i taped down the aspirator for the HVAC unit but then another annoying rattle emerged. It sounded like it was coming from under the dash, somewhere near the firewall or windscreen vents. I found out the other night that it was the damn lower steering column cover.

The 3 screws were very tight but there was still some movement possible. To remove the 2 plastic covers over the screws behind the steering wheel, i would recommend using a small hook style tool. Standard spudgers for removing trim panels are fairly useless. You need to lever from the inner edge and also wedge something thin and stiff into either of the horizontal edges to release the clasps.

I applied felt tape around each of the stalks along the lower and upper covers (these guide the two covers together so they line up, but they can rub and cause a racket). I applied felt tape around the section where the steering column would meet. I also applied felt tape near the screw holes to prevent any rubbing noises.

I also applied a few layers of felt tape around the arches which accomodate the indicator/wiper stalk humps. It probably requires 2-3 layers of felt tape (VAG type felt tape) as the gap is quite large and you will have to get creative as to how you apply it because the tape doesn't seem to stick well. Not sure why, but it could be an overly generous application of protectant by the previous owner.

I should've taken pics but it was a cold, wet night!

Pounding and knocking on the lower cover now results in a solid knocking sound. No looseness even when i try to wriggle it around. I will test on my 'test road' tonight but fingers crossed!

06-20-2012, 11:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
buenor Base Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 25 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 13	Rattling Sound I am starting a new thread based on a noise coming from under/in the steering column. I have found the thread where the TSB for 09s is spelled out (the one where the silicone bits have to be flushed out). My symptoms are a little different though: The rattling sound doesn't come at a certain RPM (neither does it appear to be dependent on RPMs), but rather when I hit rougher patch of road. When I slow down or stop it goes away and it doesn't come back except at random. I can drive over the same patch of road and it may not come back. It has happened on any type of road at various speeds but I cannot seems to generate it consistently. I wonder if it is something loose or a bit of plastic under the dash. Has this happened to any one? It doesn't appear to be serious but rather annoying. Thanks

06-30-2012, 06:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
Shadezz Track Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Colorado Age: 43 Posts: 896 Drives: 2012 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 14	Have the same issue with my 12....every now and again small rattle in the top of the steering on harsh roads. __________________ 2012 370Z BLACK EDITION/ FLT BLK Rays / 5% 3M Tint / DW's / Z1 SS & 2 Piece Rotors Nismo S-Tune OEM / Beluga CBE & Y-PIPE / DDX370 / GTR Start .4 Fluid / NST Blue Kit

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06-20-2012, 12:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	pound on the lower cover, it might've come loose for some reason. there's not many things down there that can get loose. maybe your ODB2 port screws came loose or something? i lay on the floor, look up using a flash light, and tap around to see if you can generate the noise you're hearing.

06-20-2012, 12:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
scottIN Track Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Castle, Indiana Posts: 764 Drives: '12 370Z Rep Power: 55	I've got a buzz there, but only at a certain RPM. Mine might just be where two plastic pieces come together. Just never think about checking it when I've got a minute.

06-28-2012, 08:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
buenor Base Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 25 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 13	I haven't taken the steering column cover off yet but I don't think it is serious. When it rattles and I press on the top, center of the steering column cover, at the edge of the instrument panel, the rattle stops. Seems to be something minor as it only shows up on the worst roads. A temporary solution seems to be just sticking a little hard rubber shim of sorts between the instrument panel and the column cover, at least until I figure out how to take the covering apart to take a look.

06-28-2012, 12:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
scottIN Track Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Castle, Indiana Posts: 764 Drives: '12 370Z Rep Power: 55	Something that works pretty well is to take some padded double sided tape and cut slivers of it to put between pieces you think might be rattling. It compresses so it's easy to get in, and if the rattle is there, it sticks and doesn't fall out. And done right, you never see it. After my Acura was wrecked, it had tons of rattles and that's how I got rid of them.

06-28-2012, 12:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	buenor- becareful taking off the cover under the steering column as you could potentially unhook the leverage latch for your hood release when you pull down.

06-30-2012, 10:19 AM	#7 (permalink)
buenor Base Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 25 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 13	Thanks for the warning kenchan, I ended up no taking the lower cover off. I noticed that it was a bit tricky but also that it was the top cover that was a bit loose. So I took the bolts off (the ones behind the wheel) and they were a bit loose. Then, re-tightened them. Made a difference, at least in the local roads on which the noise showed up. Haven't heard anything since hopefully it will stay that way, cross fingers.

07-02-2012, 02:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
buenor Base Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 25 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 13	Hello Shadezz The "repair" seems to have done the trick. What I did was: - Took out the screws that hold the top cover. I only took out the ones behind the steering wheel. Took out one at the time, since I didn't want to go through the whole thing about taking out the steering wheel. - Jiggled the top cover a bit and sat it back in position. Sorry for the highly technical terminology Of course I couldn't take it out (those two bolts are not the only ones holding everything in place). But I made sure that if fit properly since I had assume that the rattle was generated by the cover not fitting correctly. - Reinstalled the screws, make sure they are tightened properly. I didn't force them or anything. Mine were originally not very tight when i took them out. I will post if anything changes.

04-10-2013, 02:55 AM	#11 (permalink)
juld0zer Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Sydney Posts: 428 Drives: 11 Nissan 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 139	I thought i cured all my rattles after i taped down the aspirator for the HVAC unit but then another annoying rattle emerged. It sounded like it was coming from under the dash, somewhere near the firewall or windscreen vents. I found out the other night that it was the damn lower steering column cover. The 3 screws were very tight but there was still some movement possible. To remove the 2 plastic covers over the screws behind the steering wheel, i would recommend using a small hook style tool. Standard spudgers for removing trim panels are fairly useless. You need to lever from the inner edge and also wedge something thin and stiff into either of the horizontal edges to release the clasps. I applied felt tape around each of the stalks along the lower and upper covers (these guide the two covers together so they line up, but they can rub and cause a racket). I applied felt tape around the section where the steering column would meet. I also applied felt tape near the screw holes to prevent any rubbing noises. I also applied a few layers of felt tape around the arches which accomodate the indicator/wiper stalk humps. It probably requires 2-3 layers of felt tape (VAG type felt tape) as the gap is quite large and you will have to get creative as to how you apply it because the tape doesn't seem to stick well. Not sure why, but it could be an overly generous application of protectant by the previous owner. I should've taken pics but it was a cold, wet night! Pounding and knocking on the lower cover now results in a solid knocking sound. No looseness even when i try to wriggle it around. I will test on my 'test road' tonight but fingers crossed!