Technical dash top vents creaking

[El Kabong]

Anybody else have a problem with the slit vents for the windscreen creaking when hot air is applied?

Just an annoyance.

Wondering if anybody has come up with a way to reduce the amount of creaking.

It looks to me as if the plastics vents/surrounds have warped a bit.

 

[s130]

I occasionally get said noises. Not very often and when the do occur I just tap the grilles. As with all "in cabin creeks and groans" it is often very difficult to precisely locate the origin. After repeated location attempts I've nailed the location of mine. This done I just gently tap said item and enjoy the "creek free" experience.

For me as it happens very infrequently I've thus far not bothered about devising a fix.

 

[El Kabong]

Yes, well, so far my cabin seems pretty much creak free. I can force some creaks by resting on the arm rest though.

Also, the vents only creak when hot air goes through them so I wonder is there a way to refix them in situ….

 

[s130]

I've often wonder how any car doesn't have more creeks and rattles than they do????

I have a distinct feeling that when they first design the car & prototype they then just long term test drive the car and not all the noises, issues etc. Then they apply some sticky felt strips and other insulators and go round the loop again. If they still have issues then a redesign may become necessary.

When you think about the tolerance of chassis build, dash manufacture, then material expansion/contraction is still amazes me to door cards don't fall off

 

[BrianMcL]

I've often wonder how any car doesn't have more creeks and rattles than they do????

I have a distinct feeling that when they first design the car & prototype they then just long term test drive the car and not all the noises, issues etc. Then they apply some sticky felt strips and other insulators and go round the loop again. If they still have issues then a redesign may become necessary.

When you think about the tolerance of chassis build, dash manufacture, then material expansion/contraction is still amazes me to door cards don't fall off

OOhhhh, you've gone and done it now!!!

 

[tarquin1867]

This internal creaking will disappear when the weather warms up the amount of contraction/expansion in winter is greater. Even plastic will expand and contract according to temp. Just live with it and turn the stereo onto speed volume

 

[Doofer]

Give it a good saturating spray of shiny dashboard polish, and wipe off as normal. After a a few good soaks mine is creak-free. Basically the different parts can now slide smoothly against each other as they expand and contract. I think these polishes are normally silicone-based, so they're oily even after drying. It worked for me anyway.

Obviously don't spray into the vents, and concentrate on any areas where different parts meet. Spray until it's wet and leave for a bit. I normally spray from left to right, over the whole dash top, then wipe from left to right. So each bit gets the same pickling time.

I wouldn't spray onto the stereo or any controls. Just use the already wetted cloth.

And it will look and smell nice too.

I did previously use normal furniture polish, but it doesn't have the same oiliness as car stuff - you just have to accept the daft price.