Rattle From Rear Panel/Speakers

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bmwcoupedriver

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#1
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#1
I have noticed when going over certain kinds of bumps that a vibration/rattle seems to come from the rear passanger area. At first I thought it was the front passanger seat rattling whe unoccupied.
The shop foreman at my dealership seems to think that it may be coming from the rear shelf/speaker area. Anyone else have this problem ?

Joseph

[driving2]
 
D

deutsch100

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#2
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San Fernando Valley, So. CA
#2
I have this too. For some reason it is worse when it is hot outside. I kept thinking it was the speakers cracking, but even when the radio/CD is turned down or completely off I hear it.

It is not all the time (Thank God), but sometimes it is annoying. It sounds like a cracking/popping/rattling coming form the rear parcel shelf/speakers.

I asked some guy with another 2005 M3 in a parking lot last week about this rattle/creak...and he has it too. I'm sure the 325/330ci is the same in the rear as the M3 coupe.

If anyone knows what to do about this.....PLEASE speak up. I refuse to take it to the dealer to "trouble shoot" a minor rattle.

DANKE SCHÖN [wiggle]
 
AIO

AIO

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bmwboard
#3
Ah, I see I'm not alone. I thought only my car had this annoying rattling, but it seems to be a design flaw by BMW. I think it has to do the with the PVC ( or plastic, whatever ) panel beneath the rear window but unfortunately I couldn't reproduce the same sound pushing the panel up and down with my hand. So the exact origin of the cracking/rattling sound is still a mystery to me. Somebody please help! [:(]
 
S

shulii

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#5
4dr 330i '05 has the same issue. My back seats folds and the noise seems to be lower when the seats are down and there is no pressure on the backpanel. I took apart the locking mechanism and didn't find an issue. my next project for this weekend is to take apart the back panel between the rear window and the back seat. I hear this rattling noise every time i go over a bump (any bump) and it drives me nuts.
If no one provides a solution by this weekend, i'll provide the details of what I find when I finish taking it apart.
 
D

deutsch100

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#6
shulii said:
4dr 330i '05 has the same issue. My back seats folds and the noise seems to be lower when the seats are down and there is no pressure on the backpanel. I took apart the locking mechanism and didn't find an issue. my next project for this weekend is to take apart the back panel between the rear window and the back seat. I hear this rattling noise every time i go over a bump (any bump) and it drives me nuts.
If no one provides a solution by this weekend, i'll provide the details of what I find when I finish taking it apart.
Click to expand...
PLEASE let us know. Thanks
 
N

Notreknip

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#9
Heh, I should likely note that I am not "Andy" (you may call me Devon); I simply linked a URL for a DIY that I found on another site (E46Fanatics or BimmerForums). I hope "Andy" doesn't mind. [scratch]

Thanks for the generous welcome tho'; I'm only 2 months into my first BMW, but I'll help whenever possible!

(Of course, I've also heard of the popular quick-fix of stuffing clothes, rags, tennis balls, etc. into the space between the panels...)
 
N

Notreknip

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#11
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=66746&highlight=bolt+method (Best thread.)

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=211831 (Other best thread.)

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=356847&highlight=rattle+fix

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132399&highlight=bolt+rattle

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=55273&page=3&pp=20&highlight=tennis

There are literally about 100 threads on both e46fanatics and bimmerforums about this notorious HK-upgrade problem. For many it occurs in the passenger door, but for nearly everyone it occurs in the rear panel.

If you feel the need to check things out yourself search for combinations of the words "HK" "rear panel" "window" "rattle" "noise" "DIY" "fix" on the sites I mentioned. You'll be overwhelmed. Most either stuff crap into the open space or use some sort of foam - the bolt method seems to be the most efficient method to me, altho' I must admit it still remains on my "to do" list. Post your results after you try it!
 
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///M SPEED

///M SPEED

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#12
///M SPEED said:
Welcome to the board Andy. You have some cool DIY's. Thanks for the imput and a great way to start out your posting here..... [thumb]
Click to expand...
Oops sorry, I meant to call you Devon until I looked at the site you posted and got sidetracked..... [headbang]
 
W

William330

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#14
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#14
Had a rattle in my old car, and finally wound up having someone
drive me around (over some bumps) while I crawled all over the
back to locate the exact source of the noise.

It wasn't a BMW, but this helped me locate the noise, and fix the
problem.

Seems like this approach could work here as well.
 
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