How to Install TSB 08-24-10 yourself (A-Piller Rattle)

[GRABBER]

If you have a slight rattle sound at highway speeds sometimes that drives you crazy, then you may need this TSB. If you don't want to hassle with dropping the car off to the dealer and having them work on your car...then do it yourself. It's not hard at all.

You will need to order the new tape pads that go under the edge of the dash at the base of the trim piller. You need to order 2 of them, one for drivers side and one for passenger side. The pieces are $9.22 each, so it will set you back $18.44.

Here is the part number 7R3Z*6321702*A




You need to read through the TSB for installation instructions too. I have attached the TSB for your review.

The new pads have a coating that will hold up to the plastic support point under the dash. That support point is causing a rattle in some of our cars. You can install the pad right over the top of the existing pad if it's in your car. I have heard that some cars are missing the pad or the pad is not the right one so you have the rattle.

First pull the trim piece off by gently pulling on it 6 inches over from the seam by the seat belt.



Work your way down to the windshield. It will pop right off.



Here is what the back side of the trim looks like. You can see the connectors.





Here's what the piller looks like with the trim removed. You can see the slots that the trim connectors snap into.


This is the area up by the seat belt.


These photos show the exixting pad that was in my car at the dash piller location. I can't get a photo of it but if you lift up on the dash just a little and look under there, you can see the plastic support point that is part of the dash and that is the point that needs land on top of the new pad. That is what is causing the rattle.





Here is what the new pad looks like. The back is sticky and the middle is foam and the outer side has a tough plastic coating on it.


I suggest cutting off 1/4 inch of the pad so when you go to insert it into position it does not hang up on the sides. It's a small space to put the pad and you are going to just install it on top of your existing pad or if you don't have the pad you need to position it under the plastic support dash point.


You need to peel the backing off and then stick it on a long screw driver so you can reach in and insert the pad. It's very sticky, so make sure you do it right the first time.



You will need to use one hand applying upward pressure on the dash and the other hand will be inserting the pad under the plastic dash support point.


When you put the trim back on, put the trim in by the windshield first and make sure the jamb piece is tucked in like this:


Then you do the passenger side and you are done. It's a 15-20 minute job. 1/2 hour if you take your time.

[TOMMY GUN]

I never heard of anyone having this rattle?




.

[GRABBER]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

I never heard of anyone having this rattle?




.

I have heard of dozens of people complain about it.

[iceman]

I get a little noise even with the vert...but I have had the A-pillar cover off a thousand times and run an SOS 3 gauge pillar. I have found that pressure on the top by the visor fixes the sound. I expect something like this would cure it for good.

Thanks for posting.

[6-Speed]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

I never heard of anyone having this rattle?
.

My A-pillars rattled when cruising at highway speeds. Does it more when it is warm - just slight ticks. Had the A-pillar TSB done by the dealer concurrent with the tranny TSB. I don't know how effective it is yet.

[TOMMY GUN]

I'd just turn the radio up.



.

[cheftjpeck]

yeah I get a rattle from the right side of my dash....push down on the dash and it quiets it down...I wonder if this is the same deal...

[JTB]

Fantastic, detailed post....

[GRABBER]

Originally Posted by cheftjpeck

yeah I get a rattle from the right side of my dash....push down on the dash and it quiets it down...I wonder if this is the same deal...

Yes.

[Birdman]

Great job ,nicely illustrated Rob thanks for posting .I will make this a sticky in the Tech Interior section (pun intended)

[Alloy Dave]

Originally Posted by GRABBER

Yes.

Good job Rob.

I have a small rattle, but this is not the cause of mine. Mine is below the center of the dash, under the steering wheel. I can stop it by simply pressing lightly on the plastic trim piece directly under the steering wheel. It only happens at certain highway speeds and depending on temperature, so I've not yet made it a high priority.

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by Alloy Dave

I have a small rattle, but this is not the cause of mine. Mine is below the center of the dash, under the steering wheel. I can stop it by simply pressing lightly on the plastic trim piece directly under the steering wheel. It only happens at certain highway speeds and depending on temperature, so I've not yet made it a high priority.

I guess you haven't found the ball bearing I put there when you weren't looking.


Tee hee hee!!


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[Carnut]

I use that expanding foam in a can. Little squirt, squeak gone.

[JTB]

Did it remedy the problem?

[GRABBER]

Originally Posted by JTB Consulting

Did it remedy the problem?

I will not know untill I drive the car on a warm day on a rough freeway. I will report back this spring. Due to the Pacific NW winter here in WA state, my car is currently laid up in my shop.

....yes Joe G, it's in the cryo bubble.

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by GRABBER

....yes Joe G, it's in the cryo bubble.

Am I *that* transparent??






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[Johnny Dangerously]

Originally Posted by Joe G

Am I *that* transparent??






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Just like his bubble.


`