Every time I drive on the expressway, I begin to hear this constant rattle comeing from inside my das board, I have no idea what could be causeing this and I would like to know if anyone elese has had this problem? and what I shoud do about it.

 

I have a horrible rattle in my dash also. It seems to be coming from the very front by the windshield. If I hold one finger on it, it goes away. Seems to only rattle when its cold and very low humidity.

 

Dash rattle is a fairly common problem in older MINIs. I would have thought they would have fixed it by now

There is a pin that snaps into a hole that holds the dash in place. That is what rattles. The dealer can take the dash off and put in a little felt O-ring.

 

I had the same thing. Dealer took apart dash and fixed it. It never returned...

 

I have a phantom rattle or tapping that is occuring also...hard to find. My latest idea that I am about to confirm is that the support for the expansion tank and I think it's the power steering reservior, has flexed a bit toward the firewall and vibrates against it over bumps and more. I pulled on it a bit to bend it toward the front of our MCS. Now just have to do a test drive to see if it helped.

 

The pad is held on by only four screws. Look at this thread to see photos of a pad removal. Basically, pop the plastic covers off the end of the dash. There are two torx screws on eash side. Remove them and the pad can be taken out. I've got an 02 S, and have done some mounting on the pad. But I too have rattles and just pop it off and put some felt in.....

Hope it helps.

Matt

ps, if you're still under warranty, just wait until a covered service.... But if it's a hassle to get to a Mini dealer, or you're a do-it-yourselfer, this is the way to go.

 

Did I miss something – does anyone know where the rattle is coming from?
I have the same thing – it is occasional, usually happens on acceleration to the highway, and it occurs for just a short time 5 - 10 seconds.
The rattle, or tapping it is dull but fairly loud.
My warranty is out so I will be the one correcting the noise.

 

A lot of the dash rattles are obvious. You can press on the pad and it goes away. Others have posted about the expansion tank issue too. That won't go away if you press on the dash pad.

Matt

 

http://usminiclub.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=153.html


This might help.

 

Matt- just so I can be armed before I tear my dash apart on the only car I have, what kind of felt did you use for a cushion? just thin craft-store stuff? Thicker funiture foot-pad-stuff?

Thanks!

 

Just a heads-up for anyone contemplating DIY with an '05 or '06, the dash is attached in a different manner now making it much much harder to remove. I'm not even sure if it is possible to remove the dash now without removing the windshield.

 

You want to use very thin felt being your putting it around the pins which still have to go back into the plastic clips in the dashboard.

 

Removing and installing instrument panel upper section trim (from 07/04)


Remove A-pillar trim ( SEE POST BELOW FOR REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS )

Remove glovebox

Remove decorative trims for instrument panel





Lever out cover on left and right in direction of arrow




With passenger airbag deactivation optional extra only
Unlock plug connections (1) and disconnect



[Release left and right screws (1).


[

Release screws (1)




Release screws (1)




Lever out cover caps (1) in ventilation grille and release screws underneath.



Release screws (1) in ventilation grille.




With automatic air conditioning optional extra only:

Tape off work area around solar sensor (1) (risk of damage).

Remove solar sensor (1
Firmly pull solar sensor (1) upwards to release binding (adhesive tape inside instrument panel).

Feed plug connection (2) out of instrument panel and disconnect.

Installation:
Wrap adhesive tape round plug connection to prevent rattling noises.





Protect trim with adhesive tape (1) against damage.



Important!

Broken eyelets (5) or damaged restraint cables (2) can cause injuries due to uncontrolled tearing off of the airbag cover when the airbag is triggered.
Instrument panel upper section trim must be replaced if eyelets (5) are damaged or restraint cables (2) are damaged
In order to prevent damage to eyelets (5), make sure spacer (4) is fitted; retrofit if necessary

Release screws (1)

Tightening torque

Remove instrument panel upper section towards top and feed out restraint cables (2) between airbag module and instrument panel lower section.

Installation

Restraint cables (2) must be located between bracket (3).




Installation
Insert restraint cables in gap between airbag module and instrument panel lower section.





]Installation
Insert centering pin of instrument panel upper section correctly into locator (1).
Lift instrument panel upper section in front area over guides (2).
Push in instrument panel upper section as far as it will go





Important
Do not strike area (1) of instrument panel upper section with fist.
Laser seam of airbag cover must now show in foam film.





Replacement only
Build date from 03/04 - 07/04:[/FONT]
Air duct cutout must be adapted for a new instrument panel upper section
Cut out instrument panel in marked area (2
Lay wiring harness (1) between instrument panel and bulkhead

 

enjoy

 

Could we get that one too (or a brief rundown on how-to).

Thanks again!

 

Removing and installing/replacing panel for roof pillar at front (A-pillar), left or right


Warning!
Vehicles with head airbags:
Read and comply with safety regulations for working on vehicles with airbag systems






Important
Do not use sharp-edged tools to remove panel (head airbag may be damaged)





Release door seal (1) in area of panel (2)
Release panel (2) at top end in direction of arrow and remove.
Installation:
If necessary, replace faulty clips.
Make sure door seal (1) is correctly seated.





Version with ITS head airbag:
Cut through retaining straps on clips (1) and remove panel.
Remove clips from body.
Dispose of panel and clips.

 

Also, i had a buzzing noise in the front where i thought it was somewhere in the dash, after many hours tapping, hitting my car while i drive, i pinned it down to the Map-light console up above the rear-view-mirror...(i drive an '05). So i popped that off and secured the two metal tabs (facing forward). I now have a quite ride...finally!

 

Thanks again. I spied the fasteners in the first set of diagrams that I just hadn't noticed before that had been preventing me from fully releasing the dash.

 

No problem ....Lemme know if you need other instructions.

 

I had a rattle, it was that tiny plastic plug that sits in the center of the dash just under the windshield. My extended warranty I bought coverd the removal of the entire dash to find it, got luckly on that one.

 

UPDATED....Didnt relize i put the outer molding install instead of the interior moldings.


FOR SAFTEY REASONS, I RATHER NOT SHOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON HANDLING THE AIRBAGS.

 

RE: the special metal clips with the cloth straps that hold the A-pane trim on.

I went in today to order the "clips" shown on REALOEM and ETKA - find number 6. The clips shown as being individually available are NOT the correct clips. The correct clips (with the fabric straps) are only available (it would seem) by ordering a new interior A-pillar molding (find number 1 in the link above), which when that part was pulled out did have the correct clips attached.

If there is a different part number for those metal clips with the cloth straps, I'd like to know the part number.

NOTE: if you are very careful, it may be possible to reuse the clips by popping the A-pillar interior trim off, unscrewing the two phillips screws to detach the trim from the clips, then removing the trim piece. With the trim piece you could then remove the metal clips with the straps intacted, and then reassemble them to the panel before re-installing them.

NOTE: I make no warranty about the integrity of the clips once they have been removed and reinstalled. You should evaluate this on your own and decide if you would rather buy new clips, which may mean buying a new A-pillar interior trim piece. These clips are clearly intended to restrain the a-pillar trim in the event of an airbag firing. I make no recomendation to reuse the clips. I'm actually cautioning you against it.

Your Mileage May Vary.

 

Thanks to this thread I just fixed the rattle in my dash! (03MCS) Who knew it would be so easy! Just popped out the covers, removed the 4 screws and glued more felt to the existing factory areas. When I put it back together it was a real nice fit.

Now to get the intermittant headlight fixed, a pulley and chip. Then......

Even with all its faults I love my MINI! If ya wanna play, ya gotta pay!

Edit: The rattle came back after a few days. Turns out the windsield guys fixed it. There's a pin that fits in to a hole behind the windshield. Put some stuffing in there and voila rattle is GONE! But ya gotta remove the windshield to get to it.

 

I got my car back in June or July, I forget which. It didn't do it over the summer but as it got freakin cold lately, it rattles like a paint can sometimes. I deal with it and turn the radio up. Then the speakers shake. Than , I give up and hope it will stop come warm weather.

 

So, is really necessary to remove the A-pillar to get the dash cap off? I have rattle at the little round defogger vent (drivers side) that I need to get at. It's not worth replacing the pillars when the clips break, but I'm getting tired of beating on that spot after every bump in the road.