Rattle elimination techniques

[jrdnhsnbrg 10+ year member]

Alrighty ladies, I need your help. Before I do any more upgrades with the sub stage I plan on cleaning up my sound quite a bit.

Here's my plans:

-Eliminate what rattles I can

-Amplify current door speakers

-Sound deaden trunk, rear deck, and doors

-Install the Big 3 once and for all

-Run 0ga power and ground runs between batteries

-High output alternator

As of right now I know of 2 sources of rattles- my rearview mirror and 3rd brake light/vent assembly. How do y'all go about getting rid of all the rattles in your vehicles?

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[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

If you dont mind modifying your mirror, try and see if you can open up or access a small hole in your rearview mirror, and spray a **** ton of Great Stuff expanding foam. It completely got rid of my mirror rattle. As for the break light vent rattle, i either have have a decorative T-shirt or scarf to put in the back and cushion between itself and the windshield, it works moderately well but not really a cure theres still some rattles but not as bad. Some foam might work better.

 

[jrdnhsnbrg 10+ year member]

If you dont mind modifying your mirror, try and see if you can open up or access a small hole in your rearview mirror, and spray a **** ton of Great Stuff expanding foam. It completely got rid of my mirror rattle. As for the break light vent rattle, i either have have a decorative T-shirt or scarf to put in the back and cushion between it it works moderately well but not really a cure theres still some rattles but not as bad. Some foam might work better.

My mirror automatically dims and also instead of dome lights in the front of my car there are lights in the mirror so disassembling that and filling it with foam doesn't seem to be the best idea... Maybe some small chunks of weather stripping for the middle brake light housing. What works best to get panels to stop vibrating?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

For me after deadening the panels, the next step would be Lots of foam, either CCF or expanding foam depending on if you want it removable or not. As long as its a snug and tight fit, it should absorb a lot of the vibrations.

 

[jrdnhsnbrg 10+ year member]

@Full Tilt ; was wondering about license plates and his spoiler, any tips for them?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

For the license plate just have a thick foam cushion all around the square frame holding the licenseplate and also some throughout the center of the plate and securely screw in top and bottom screws tightly. Sorry if i sound repetitive with the foam but it really works well from my experience.


I'm at a loss when it comes the spoiler rattle, maybe @keep_hope_alive ; can chime in on this

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

Jeff speaks truth. CCF (sponge rubber, too) works wonders and goes for 3-4 bucks at your local hardware store for a 10ft roll

 

[Full Tilt 10+ year member]

One of the biggest tips I've heard is that sponge rubber stripping, I'll look into it. My plate is probably 75% of it, but the spoiler still sings plenty loud, too.

 

[Side Show 10+ year member]

buy a bulk pack of dynamat, with your system going listen for all the rattles and noises, and just start touching panels and parts, putting pressure on different areas ect, if it's rattleing you'll be able to change and stop it usually with your hand. once you no were all the trouble areas are, start dynamatting. (fingers will be cut up)

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

spoiler rattles are tricky but solved the same way - disassemble, apply closed cell foam at all seams and connection points, then reassemble.