GrabberBlue
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
I'm happy to announce a quick, cheap, non-invasive fix for those who have issues with the Engine/Transmission plate rattle. For those unfamiliar with the noise, which occurs ≥ 4k RPM. It comes from outside of the car and sounds like a high pitched tinny rattle when the car is warm, not cold or hot. (Think plastic bag out the window at 100mph)
Bottom Line Up Front: Apply Dynamat to the exposed surface area of the engine/transmission plate. I used 4 layers cut out to match the shape of the area.
I know many of you have struggled with dealers to get them to find the noise. In some cases resulting in lemoning the car because of the inability to determine the issue. And even if they find the noise then having your new car's drivetrain torn apart to replace a simple plate.
I was going to try three fixes: 1. Try applying rubber washers on the nuts securing the plate. 2. Try RTV on the lower portion of the plate to prevent potential rattling. 3. Apply Dynamat to the exposed surface area of the plate.
Fix 1 was not attempted due to my belief that it would only isolate part of the plate. Fix 2 was not attempted as I found that Ford already applied a dampening suede material there so I did not attempt this fix. Left with Fix 3, I made a template of the exposed surface area of the engine/transmission plate then trimmed 4 pieces of Dynamat. Adhered the 4 pieces together then adhered the solid piece to the plate.
Why does Dynamat fix this rattle? Dynamat is a sound dampening material. It converts vibration into heat just like the dampeners on our exhaust. Since the noise we hear is the plate vibrating and creating an audible noise like a speaker, Dynamat absorbs the vibrations.
The car didn't make the noise on my morning and evening commute. My only unknown at this point is the longevity of the fix, Dynamat is a butyl adhesive with a layer of thin aluminum. I am unsure of how it will hold up in this application exposed to high heat.
Bottom Line Up Front: Apply Dynamat to the exposed surface area of the engine/transmission plate. I used 4 layers cut out to match the shape of the area.
I know many of you have struggled with dealers to get them to find the noise. In some cases resulting in lemoning the car because of the inability to determine the issue. And even if they find the noise then having your new car's drivetrain torn apart to replace a simple plate.
I was going to try three fixes: 1. Try applying rubber washers on the nuts securing the plate. 2. Try RTV on the lower portion of the plate to prevent potential rattling. 3. Apply Dynamat to the exposed surface area of the plate.
Fix 1 was not attempted due to my belief that it would only isolate part of the plate. Fix 2 was not attempted as I found that Ford already applied a dampening suede material there so I did not attempt this fix. Left with Fix 3, I made a template of the exposed surface area of the engine/transmission plate then trimmed 4 pieces of Dynamat. Adhered the 4 pieces together then adhered the solid piece to the plate.
Why does Dynamat fix this rattle? Dynamat is a sound dampening material. It converts vibration into heat just like the dampeners on our exhaust. Since the noise we hear is the plate vibrating and creating an audible noise like a speaker, Dynamat absorbs the vibrations.
The car didn't make the noise on my morning and evening commute. My only unknown at this point is the longevity of the fix, Dynamat is a butyl adhesive with a layer of thin aluminum. I am unsure of how it will hold up in this application exposed to high heat.
Sponsored