Rattle from rear deck with roof up...any ideas..

[Anonymous]

Bit of a weird one..after a long long winter with many nights past -10c I have an issue with a really nasty plasticky rattle from somewhere around the headrest area...

It’s definitely vibration induced..rough road surfaces at certain speeds cause a constant rattle..stationary or billiard smooth roads at speed no rattle..

Not speed related , doesn’t change in frequency just occurs more.

Sounds like really cheap broken off bit of plastic rattling somewhere...

Top down no noise.

I’ve inspected / tapped all the roof panels in their intermittent positions and there is no induced rattles on any of the panels..

Any ideas?

I did think the windbreaker was an issue but removing it didn’t seem to have any significant impact..

Just seems strange after several months of very cold weather and no usage..

 

[flybobbie]

Bracket on roof protector broken?

 

[tintoverano]

hi,

try this: https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=120228

perhaps it helps with your rattle too

cheers

 

[tintoverano]

the final solution actually was https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=120228&start=15

 

[Busterboo]

Top down no noise.

My symptoms, too, especially this one.

My indy found ... a broken n/s/r barrel spring, at least 2 feet from where I thought the noise was coming from.

He then lubricated points on the roof frame in the boot.

Bingo.

 

[Anonymous]

Bracket on roof protector broken?

Which bracket is this pls?

 

[Anonymous]

Top down no noise.

My symptoms, too, especially this one.

My indy found ... a broken n/s/r barrel spring, at least 2 feet from where I thought the noise was coming from.

He then lubricated points on the roof frame in the boot.

Bingo.

I’ll check the springs as soon as I can

 

[Anonymous]

the final solution actually was https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=120228&start=15

Did the fault stop with the roof down?

The noise sounds like a lightweight plastic trim type noise rather than a heavy metallic noise ?

 

[tintoverano]

yes, I had no rattle when the roof was down, only when it was up

 

[tintoverano]

as the post title says: non-metallic rattle

 

[Busterboo]

My broken barrel spring rattle sounded like it was from one of the plastic hinges on the folding luggage cover. And it stopped, or so I thought, when the roof was down.

I'm not suggesting a broken spring's the culprit here, only that rattles can be very deceptive.

 

[Anonymous]

yes, I had no rattle when the roof was down, only when it was up

 

[Anonymous]

My broken barrel spring rattle sounded like it was from one of the plastic hinges on the folding luggage cover. And it stopped, or so I thought, when the roof was down.

I'm not suggesting a broken spring's the culprit here, only that rattles can be very deceptive.

For sure they often appear to come from locations that are not the true location..

Just seems strange it appeared over a long period of inactivity and a very cold winter..

We are on a tour at the moment with the boot stuffed full of bags etc and that hasn’t changed the behaviour..

 

[Busterboo]

Excellent, evocative photos.

 

[Anonymous]

At least a partial fix found...

The driver’s side seatbelt cover behind your right shoulder sounded a bit suspect on tapping...lifted it off to find a broken piece of plastic and two of the metal clips that are designed to push click hold the panel having dropped through and rattling around..

I can only blame myself as I was the last person to mess around with those covers...quite why now after about a 2 year gap they decided to rattle who knows..

Still a few creaks from the rear area but bouncing over Lewis and Harris’s finest roads at speed probably doesn’t help the creaking ..

 

[Anonymous]

Just close out on this..(always irritating when someone has an isssue and never reports back)

So I got back home..pulled out the slighly mangled clips and straightend them and put them back..used some of the high density foam strips with a sticky backing and attached that to the cover plate.

The plate that held the clips I noticed had some holes which were not used for any purpose but lined up with some holes in the main body shell.

So I stuck a couple of BMW plastic trim plugs in those. They pulled the mounting plate more into line with the body.

Finally I used a dap of silicone sealant on each metal clip as they can rattle within their mounts.

Push clicked it all back together..let the silicone set..

After a 700 mile weekend trip to the Mull of Kintyre can confidently say that its fixed almost all at least of my 'roof rattles'..

While I was there I have a rattle from around the light switch area..so stuffed some of that high density foam folded over between the A pillar and the dash which substantially reduced that..just left with what sounds like a slighty loose door pull wire to attack some time!

The much reduced rattles and the removal of the artifical exhaust noise generator (ASD) meant with the roof up you get a subdued but pleasant Mad Max style turbo spool whine mated to a pleasant noise from the 200 cell CAT!

 

[Edbimmerman]

I had the same problem and it really got on my nerves ! Today I had a eureka moment and removed the retention net behind the seats and Hay Presto ,the rattle disappeared. It turned out that the metal frame was rattling where it connected to the rear plastic panel. I adjusted the metal prongs and made sure that they connected as they should ( with minimal play) .
I hope this solution is effective for you and any future forum users.
Ed e89 2009

 

[B21]

I had the same problem and it really got on my nerves ! Today I had a eureka moment and removed the retention net behind the seats and Hay Presto ,the rattle disappeared. It turned out that the metal frame was rattling where it connected to the rear plastic panel. I adjusted the metal prongs and made sure that they connected as they should ( with minimal play) .
I hope this solution is effective for you and any future forum users.
Ed e89 2009

Good to know...and welcome!

 

[Edbimmerman]

After suffering a very annoying rattle from somewhere behind the seats for many months, I think I have finally sorted the problem. Whilst checking in the boot what it might be for the hundredth time, I noticed that the foam cradle holding the roof motor was soaking. After lifting out the motor And drying the cradle inexplicably all horrible noises were no more. I was amazed but incredibly happy. I would advise anyone with a rattle to see if there has been water ingress in this area. I believe that the sound deadening qualities of foam rubber are compromised when the foam is wet.

 

[B21]

After suffering a very annoying rattle from somewhere behind the seats for many months, I think I have finally sorted the problem. Whilst checking in the boot what it might be for the hundredth time, I noticed that the foam cradle holding the roof motor was soaking. After lifting out the motor And drying the cradle inexplicably all horrible noises were no more. I was amazed but incredibly happy. I would advise anyone with a rattle to see if there has been water ingress in this area. I believe that the sound deadening qualities of foam rubber are compromised when the foam is wet.

Interesting..