rattling culprits

[user1101]

It's amazing how the tiniest rattle can ruin the whole system and that's all you hear. I find that usually the worst offenders are the trim panels on either side of the hatch that are held down by nylon thumb screws. Does anyone have some suggestions on how to secure these pieces?

[nda0602v6]

I had a problem with my 94 Firebird driver's side hatch panel always vibrating and coming loose. I ended up using trim screws to hold it down instead of those cheap nylon push-in fasteners. I found the screws at Autozone which had a very low profile (thin) head and were completely flat on the bottom (not countersunk type screw heads). Though you could see the head of the screw on the outside, it still looked clean and factory.

Another thing that may work would be to apply a layer of either 1/8" or 1/4" foam underneath the plastic panels with high quality spray adhesive. This would help dampen the panel and prevent 'plastic to plastic/matal' contact.

[CAMAROWIDBASS]

i used 3 layers of sound deading on those panels

[96firebird311]

I also slipped a layer of sound deadening under there. Although anything will work. I just had a ton of extra deadening laying around.... Are you sure those are the only panels making noise? Got a couple of other common places in mind.....

[user1101]

Originally posted by 96firebird311:
Are you sure those are the only panels making noise?

sure i do... the hatch glass, the right fender panel, the driver's side hatch strut, the tailight assemblies... I can get anything to rattle if I really want to. ;) But the worst offender are those side panels.

[ August 02, 2004, 10:15 PM: Message edited by: user1101 ]

[megabass]

I lined the joints where those panels meet the front ones with some foam weatherstripping. I also found that the pieces around where seat belts come out will rattle some. And also some of the trim under the hatch lid rattles every once in awhile. But my very worst rattle has been those thumb screws on the passenger panel turn and loosen. And when they do, they rattle like mad.

[CAMAROWIDBASS]

I weighed down the hatch with foam, i took off the panel and used up about 2 cans of that stuff to stiffen it up since its hollow.