Plastic rattle

[LukasFR16]

Hey guys.

I have recently bought my Leon FR TDI 184 2016.It’s a lovely car but I do have few issues which are bugging me.

One I have already found a solution on this forum. This was door cards vibrating when volume above 50%.

Second one when going over speed bumps I get a lot of plastic rattle/crack/squeak noise from all around. Is this caused by sport suspension or is ir common fault? I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thank you

Lukas

 

[black_sheep]

First thing is to acquire some felt tape, listed as ‘felt auto tape’ used for wiring looms, squeaks and rattles - this is one I’ve used before - more expensive than others, but a little thicker and from UK so arrives quickly:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/252643253637

Areas that generally create the most rattles/noise are the A-pillars either side of the windscreen - prise theses off with a trim removal tool, and apply felt tape around the bottom of the A-pillars where they meet the dash.

The second area is where all of the plastic sections join either side of the transmission tunnel either side of the gear lever - no need to strip apart just apply 100mm strips where the top of the transmission tunnel plastic overlaps the side sections.

 

[LukasFR16]

First thing is to acquire some felt tape, listed as ‘felt auto tape’ used for wiring looms, squeaks and rattles - this is one I’ve used before - more expensive than others, but a little thicker and from UK so arrives quickly:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/252643253637

Areas that generally create the most rattles/noise are the A-pillars either side of the windscreen - prise theses off with a trim removal tool, and apply felt tape around the bottom of the A-pillars where they meet the dash.

The second area is where all of the plastic sections join either side of the transmission tunnel either side of the gear lever - no need to strip apart just apply 100mm strips where the top of the transmission tunnel plastic overlaps the side sections.

Thank you for your advice mate. I will order and get it done

 

[black_sheep]

No worries - forgot to mention, make sure that all of the A-pillar metal spring clips are correctly aligned before you apply the pressure to secure the A-pillars back in place. Really simple 10 min job, but the reduction in annoying rattles is impressive.

Only other area I can think of is where the front door card synthetic leatherette and the meet the scuttle/dash (FR trim - I’m hoping the Alcantara on the Cupra I have on order will eliminate this). I’ve just applied some of the kiwi shoe shine sponge (neutral) polish (aka silicon polish/lube) on the trim on either side of the dash (on the hard plastic covers that can be removed to access behind the dash/glove box. This just reduces the friction between the surfaces so that the squeaking is eliminated.

 

[LukasFR16]

No worries - forgot to mention, make sure that all of the A-pillar metal spring clips are correctly aligned before you apply the pressure to secure the A-pillars back in place. Really simple 10 min job, but the reduction in annoying rattles is impressive.

Only other area I can think of is where the front door card synthetic leatherette and the meet the scuttle/dash (FR trim - I’m hoping the Alcantara on the Cupra I have on order will eliminate this). I’ve just applied some of the kiwi shoe shine sponge (neutral) polish (aka silicon polish/lube) on the trim on either side of the dash (on the hard plastic covers that can be removed to access behind the dash/glove box. This just reduces the friction between the surfaces so that the squeaking is eliminated.

Thank you again man. You definitely know what you are talking about.
I will have to order trim removal tool too. I have found some on eBay. Will any of them do the job or is there particular you would personally recommend?
I hope that your new Cupra won’t have any issues like that. Either way I am sure you’ll love it

Are you coming to the meeting in Donington?

 

[black_sheep]

A basic set like this will probably see you ok:

Sykes-Pickavant 04550000 5pc plastic trim clip / moulding pry bar removal tools https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/181069180121

If doing loads of trim removal, then the pliers below are good for more precision to prise trim away in a more controlled fashion:

Silverline Car Door Upholstery Trim Clip Removal Pliers Tool - 196604 - 927687 https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/302517871241

 

[Nora2004]

As mentioned above, go nuts with the felt tape! I also had a bad rattle coming from the two cover panels either end of the dash, felt lined the mating surfaces and used some foam blocks behind to stop them squeezing in and out!

I also sound deadened the boot area, that spare wheel area acts as a massive drum, carried it up onto the top of the arches too!

But the biggest difference I came across was the door seals, got in from work one night after enduring freaks and rattles on the way home, got out the car and pushed on the rubber trim around the doors, the creaking was horrific for a 5 month old car! Next day cleaned all the seals with some window cleaner, gotta go at it multiple times, rubber is a bitch to clean, the filth that came off them was unreal! Zero creaking now and a much quieter interior!

 

[Wastedagen]

As mentioned above, go nuts with the felt tape! I also had a bad rattle coming from the two cover panels either end of the dash.

Glad I found this topic. As I too had an annoying rattle/squeak coming from said panel.

I popped it open and closed door and drove and rattle/squeak had gone..

Have now bought some of the recommended tape and plan to do the same.....

Thanks.....

 

[IbizaNI]

First thing is to acquire some felt tape, listed as ‘felt auto tape’ used for wiring looms, squeaks and rattles - this is one I’ve used before - more expensive than others, but a little thicker and from UK so arrives quickly:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/252643253637

Areas that generally create the most rattles/noise are the A-pillars either side of the windscreen - prise theses off with a trim removal tool, and apply felt tape around the bottom of the A-pillars where they meet the dash.

The second area is where all of the plastic sections join either side of the transmission tunnel either side of the gear lever - no need to strip apart just apply 100mm strips where the top of the transmission tunnel plastic overlaps the side sections.

When you prised off the a pillar, did you disconnect the battery to stop the curtain airbag from potentially deploying? I've been wanting to remove it to run my dashcam cable down the inside it but am worried of setting off the airbag, do you happen to have any pictures of it once removed?

That's a very good idea to stick the felt tape onto it, I currently have no rattles from the a pillar but nice to know of a solution that fixes it if it appears!

 

[black_sheep]

Information is above. I'm not certain for all models, but I'm fairly sure that my 2013 FR doesn't have any curtain airbags under the A-pillars; mine are in the B-Pillars / Front Seats / Dash.

 

[Wastedagen]

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Information is above. I'm not certain for all models, but I'm fairly sure that my 2013 FR doesn't have any curtain airbags under the A-pillars; mine are in the B-Pillars / Front Seats / Dash.

Thanks for the pics/info.

 

[Wastedagen]

I'm not certain for all models, but I'm fairly sure that my 2013 FR doesn't have any curtain airbags under the A-pillars; mine are in the B-Pillars / Front Seats / Dash.

Check mine, and I only have 'Airbag' embossed on the B-Pillars, not the A.