Dash rattle

[wdninja]

I was getting sick of the light switch panel rattle, so I took it apart tonight and fixed it. Here's what I did:

1. Test drove to determine approximate speeds and road types where the rattle occurs.
2. Removed lower panel using body panel removal tool (just clips).
3. Removed lower left 7mm screw, then popped the 4 clips using body panel removal tool.
4. Applied sticky felt to all 4 clips and a strip along the edge where the edge meets the tachometer trim ring.
5. Reassembled, test drove the same road and same speed I initially tested.
6. Basked in the silence.

I got my sticky-backed felt from a Micheal's craft store. It comes in 8.5x11 sheets and is only $1 or so per sheet. I've been using this stuff successfully on rattles for years.

After a little analysis, I think the rattle was coming from the yellow plastic clip closest to the tachometer. When out of the dash, it freely slides on its post and I can see it easily rattling with specific vibrations. The trim rings around the gauges make some noise too, so once I figure out how to disassemble those I'll fortify those as well.

Clips that I think were the primary culprit:

After applying some felt to the clips and along the tachometer side edge:

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[carguy]

I was getting sick of the light switch panel rattle, so I took it apart tonight and fixed it. Here's what I did:

1. Test drove to determine approximate speeds and road types where the rattle occurs.
2. Removed lower panel using body panel removal tool (just clips).
3. Removed lower left 7mm screw, then popped the 4 clips using body panel removal tool.
4. Applied sticky felt to all 4 clips and a strip along the edge where the edge meets the tachometer trim ring.
5. Reassembled, test drove the same road and same speed I initially tested.
6. Basked in the silence.

I got my sticky-backed felt from a Micheal's craft store. It comes in 8.5x11 sheets and is only $1 or so per sheet. I've been using this stuff successfully on rattles for years.


After a little analysis, I think the rattle was coming from the yellow plastic clip closest to the tachometer. When out of the dash, it freely slides on its post and I can see it easily rattling with specific vibrations. The trim rings around the gauges make some noise too, so once I figure out how to disassemble those I'll fortify those as well.



Clips that I think were the primary culprit:

After applying some felt to the clips and along the tachometer side edge:

FAN-FRIGGIN-TASTIC! Thank you for taking the lead and just doing it. I will be doing the same thing this weekend. Please do post up if you figure out the bezels... Those I feel are the biggest culprit.

 

[RevvdMedia]

FAN-FRIGGIN-TASTIC! Thank you for taking the lead and just doing it. I will be doing the same thing this weekend. Please do post up if you figure out the bezels... Those I feel are the biggest culprit.

I agree, excellent work.

I will say, as I have done some trim removal mainly for the speaker workover, I did notice that Ford has added some foam padding to contact points as well, so at least they tried? lol

 

[yukiyu99]

I experienced the annoying dash rattle on the left side as well (in addition to wind noise from the passenger side windshield area). Waited for the 5K service visit, and they were able to fix both. There's a Technical Service Bulletin for the windshield air leak issue (TSB 15-0025). See details attached.

The service department here at Parkway Ford in Winston-Salem, NC is excellent.

I'm a happy customer ! :ford:

 

[TheNameAndy]

Have the same issue, took it to the dealership, and after a day having the car, they couldn't "replicate the buzz" from the left panel light switcher. Guess it's all on e to fix this now. I will definitely follow wdninja's tutorial.

 

[Free Agent]

Removed lower panel using body panel removal tool (just clips).

Where could one find this tool? Doesn't this panel just pull off? I've got the buzz and its driving me nuts. I know it is these clips I can tell its coming from there. I'd like to do this soon rather than take it in but if you need some special tool to remove this panel I don't want to break the piece. Thanks.

 

[wdninja]

Where could one find this tool? Doesn't this panel just pull off? I've got the buzz and its driving me nuts. I know it is these clips I can tell its coming from there. I'd like to do this soon rather than take it in but if you need some special tool to remove this panel I don't want to break the piece. Thanks.

They're just plastic trim removal tools so you don't scratch your plastics or trim with a screwdriver. I got mine on amazon for less than $15. You can probably find them at a local auto parts store as well.

 

[Free Agent]

They're just plastic trim removal tools so you don't scratch your plastics or trim with a screwdriver. I got mine on amazon for less than $15. You can probably find them at a local auto parts store as well.

Thanks. So do you pry up the lower trim first with one of these tools? We are just talking the silver metal trim piece, not the entire panel with the black plastic as well? Thanks. I don't want to start prying and breaking clips and plastic.

 

[wdninja]

Thanks. So do you pry up the lower trim first with one of these tools? We are just talking the silver metal trim piece, not the entire panel with the black plastic as well? Thanks. I don't want to start prying and breaking clips and plastic.

There's a black plastic panel to the lower left of the silver/turned aluminum trim around the light switch. That panel covers a bolt you'll need to remove to fully remove the metal trim piece. The bottom panel I'm talking about just pops off with clips, giving you access to remove the light switch surround. So yes, just use the trim removal tool on the lower piece.

 

[astolt12]

Got the same thing in a GT premium. I haven't read all 5 pages but I saw a YouTube video on top things some guy didn't like about the new mustang. A lot of it was BS but he did highlight this and states he fixed it by popping it off and shimming it essentially.

I get mine only on the highway and it goes away when I push on it hard. Might have to do that 2-3 times before it'll stop.

 

[Cueball]

So the light switch piece in the pictures is held on by a screw that can only be accessed if you remove the piece of trim panel below this piece? Is that correct?

 

[Ender]

Any more new info on this or are we still on our own?

 

[ETCH]

So the light switch piece in the pictures is held on by a screw that can only be accessed if you remove the piece of trim panel below this piece? Is that correct?

Video would really help me out. im not very smart... I ate too many blue crayons when I was a kid :doh:

 

[Free Agent]

Video would really help me out. im not very smart... I ate too many blue crayons when I was a kid :doh:

I agree. I've tugged around on that lower trim piece and as stated above I believe it should just pop off. I haven't taken it off yet for fear of breaking the tabs though. Then it sounds like you unscrew one screw for the top piece then pop it out the 4 tabs that hold it in.

I may be wrong so don't take my word for gospel. A pic of this screw that needs to be taken out would really help.

 

[Droid_Junky]

I agree. I've tugged around on that lower trim piece and as stated above I believe it should just pop off. I haven't taken it off yet for fear of breaking the tabs though. Then it sounds like you unscrew one screw for the top piece then pop it out the 4 tabs that hold it in.

I may be wrong so don't take my word for gospel. A pic of this screw that needs to be taken out would really help.

The bottom piece will just pop off. The screw is the gold colored square to the left. It is 7mm. The dash panel is actually more snug than the bottom trim piece. It takes a decent tug to get it off. The actual light switch just snaps into place which is why it is making the noise. Had they secured it better we would not have this issue.

About to install the felt on mine. I also wrapped a tie wrap around the clips a while back thinking that would solve it. It only made it slightly less irritating.

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