Share your tips on tracking down interior rattles!

[perttu]

I have an unidentified, plasticky interior rattle that sounds like it's coming from the passenger side. It's not very loud, but irritating enough to be unheard. Usually happens on rough surfaces. So, kind of the usual story.

I know that these things rattle, and I should just let it be, open the roof or windows, put on the stereo, whatever. But at this point, my battle with this rattle is getting personal . I've spent too much time trying to find the source of the rattle to give up now . So, I've decided to locate the source no matter what.

Things I've tried so far, without success:
- put my hand over any possible panel/trim within reach while driving to mute the rattle, both from driver's and passenger's seat
- put some felt tape in trim seams which seemed loose
- put some sound insulation on the parcel shelf
- put some sound insulation in the door card

I know this is a first world problem and I probably have too much time in my hands, but any protips on pinpointing interior rattles are welcome

[Compaqnx]

I have the same issue. I'm on to my second E85 and my first one was rock would, no rattles or squeaks this one is beyond a joke.

Think I'm going to start taking trims apart to see if applying grease will solve the issue.

[markplant]

Have you used the search function, there is a good guide on there

[DMike]

Hi Perttu,
These cars certainly have lots of parts that can rattle or squeak and pinpointing them is sometimes hard. Having a specific road section where you can 100 percent replicate the noise helps. And a passenger with good ears helps, as he/she is able to hunt the noise without having to worry about traffic and is also in a better position to differentiate whether it’s from the front or the rear.

Some places where mine had rattles, squeaks, or other types of noise:
- A pillar trim (now underside covered with felt tape)
- Top windscreen panel (felt tape underside)
- Trim under steering column (felt tape)
- Trim below glove box (loose leads, felt tape)
- Both electric M seats when lowered all the way down (some articulations become loose, just rise slightly)
- Seat frame articulations (seats out, lithium grease)
- Safety belt guide on M seats (felt tape)
- Passenger seat belt clip against door or seat (no good solution, tend to pull the seat belt over the bolster with a fleece blanket between)
- Bolster leather becoming loose from backrest (tape plus tuck it back in the groove, post with pics)
- Fresh air grille center (felt tape)
- Trim around rear speakers (felt tape)
- Roll hoop covers (silicone spray)
- Roof release button above rear storage door (silicone spray)
- Soft top compartment floor (butyl tape or similar to add some weigth to it)
- Soft top compartment floor clips (put back in place, occasionally they travel the funnels on either side)
- Wind deflector against roll hoops (silicone spray)
- Mechanic’s abandoned racket wrench in engine bay (returned to owner)
…and certainly some that I’ve forgotten by now.

[perttu]

Excellent list, thank you very much! The last one is hilarious

[NornIronCoupe]

I find that I tend to break too many hidden clips and trim pieces sourcing rattles and end up increasing the number of annoying rattles. One advantage of getting older is they don't annoy me near as much.......