Let's talk sound deadening....f*cking rattles

[chrissurfr]

Guys,

I've taken my car to Audi 3 times to fix the rattles in my dashboard, and of course, they can't solve the problem. I don't think they even try and I'm fed up with them joyriding my car to "figure out" the problem. They always seem to try to shame me with the "oh it's because your suspension is so still" remarks. Truth be told, the car is stiff as hell from the factory and the GMG springs aren't much different.

So, I'm about to go on a sound deadening mission of my own - for the entire interior.

Has anyone taken apart the dashboard before? Is their a write up for this? I plan on taking my car to a car audio shop to have them put sound deadener all in the dashboard, and think that a guide for this may be helpful to them.

Also, I plan on doing the doors, interior trim, rear deck, and creaking sunroof area. What product do you suggest I use? Dynomatt?

I must say, this is 4th VAG car, and the interior panel installation quality has gone downhill significantly since my 2001 VW Jetta - which seemed far more solid than this - it is depressing. My b6 A4 interior was built like a tank, my S5 had several rattles that never got resolved - but now having an almost 80k car with this is unacceptable to me. It is ruining the experience of the car for me.

Sincerely,
Very annoyed RS5 driver.

[Not A Good Idea]

i used dynomat on the rear decklid (also padded 2 cross sections on the car shelf where the decklid comes in contact with it) and door panels. i never heard anything behind the dashboard, but its a pain in the ass to take apart. there is also a lubricant that is used on the hinged areas of the backseats which make a shit ton of noise. i have no idea what the lube is called but as i recall a Dealer used it when i complained (its a silicon based spray). if you want to get rid of the creak sound from the top of the car the entire interior must come out. there is a cross brace that basically uses cheap foam to insulate the cross bar behind the sunroof.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Guys,

I've taken my car to Audi 3 times to fix the rattles in my dashboard, and of course, they can't solve the problem. I don't think they even try and I'm fed up with them joyriding my car to "figure out" the problem. They always seem to try to shame me with the "oh it's because your suspension is so still" remarks. Truth be told, the car is stiff as hell from the factory and the GMG springs aren't much different.

So, I'm about to go on a sound deadening mission of my own - for the entire interior.

Has anyone taken apart the dashboard before? Is their a write up for this? I plan on taking my car to a car audio shop to have them put sound deadener all in the dashboard, and think that a guide for this may be helpful to them.

Also, I plan on doing the doors, interior trim, and rear deck. What product do you suggest I use? Dynomatt?

I must say, this is 4th VAG car, and the interior panel installation quality has gone downhill significantly since my 2001 VW Jetta - which seemed far more solid than this - it is depressing. My b6 A4 interior was built like a tank, my S5 had several rattles that never got resolved - but now having an almost 80k car with this is unacceptable to me. It is ruining the experience of the car for me.

Sincerely,
Very annoyed RS5 driver.

I will argue it till blue in the face. My B6/7 interiors were better. Maybe not as "pretty" but better materials/build. Good luck!

[chrissurfr]

i used dynomat on the rear decklid (also padded 2 cross sections on the car shelf where the decklid comes in contact with it) and door panels. i never heard anything behind the dashboard, but its a pain in the ass to take apart. there is also a lubricant that is used on the hinged areas of the backseats which make a shit ton of noise. i have no idea what the lube is called but as i recall a Dealer used it when i complained (its a silicon based spray). if you want to get rid of the creak sound from the top of the car the entire interior must come out. there is a cross brace that basically uses cheap foam to insulate the cross bar behind the sunroof.

Ahhhhh so you remember my post about the sunroof creaking/popping. They blamed my suspension for that. WTF. So, it's a cross brace doing that? Why are these guys so lazy with fixing this stuff?

[GlazierGlaze]

i used dynomat on the rear decklid (also padded 2 cross sections on the car shelf where the decklid comes in contact with it) and door panels. i never heard anything behind the dashboard, but its a pain in the ass to take apart. there is also a lubricant that is used on the hinged areas of the backseats which make a shit ton of noise. i have no idea what the lube is called but as i recall a Dealer used it when i complained (its a silicon based spray). if you want to get rid of the creak sound from the top of the car the entire interior must come out. there is a cross brace that basically uses cheap foam to insulate the cross bar behind the sunroof.

How did you do this? I'm curious as I've got some rattles in the rear driving me nuts. I'd be interested in dynomatting that.

Also, the sunroof rattle, you locked in on the foam? Where is this at, my sunroof rattles like crazy.


I gave up taking it to the dealer because they made me feel bad about it each time I went in, and then tried to charge me $300 just to look into the problem.

[chrissurfr]

I will argue it till blue in the face. My B6/7 interiors were better. Maybe not as "pretty" but better materials/build. Good luck!

They really were built better. I guess we can thank cost cutting management consultants for the manufacturing line "efficiency improvement" efforts on that one.

[GlazierGlaze]

Anyone know what the silicone lubricant is? Is it buyable online? I should be able to fold the seats down and blast the hinges right?

[chrissurfr]

How did you do this? I'm curious as I've got some rattles in the rear driving me nuts. I'd be interested in dynomatting that.

Also, the sunroof rattle, you locked in on the foam? Where is this at, my sunroof rattles like crazy.


I gave up taking it to the dealer because they made me feel bad about it each time I went in, and then tried to charge me $300 just to look into the problem.

Dude the guilt trip is always played on me. The car has 6k miles on it. What a joke.

[Not A Good Idea]

Ahhhhh so you remember my post about the sunroof creaking/popping. They blamed my suspension for that. WTF. So, it's a cross brace doing that? Why are these guys so lazy with fixing this stuff?

no, but i had that problem. when i was redoing my B&0 system and suspension wiring upgrade i took advantage of having everything out of the car

How did you do this? I'm curious as I've got some rattles in the rear driving me nuts. I'd be interested in dynomatting that.

Also, the sunroof rattle, you locked in on the foam? Where is this at, my sunroof rattles like crazy.


I gave up taking it to the dealer because they made me feel bad about it each time I went in, and then tried to charge me $300 just to look into the problem.

off the top of my head, you have to remove rear seatbelts, rear interior C pillers and then the shelf (rear quarter panels have airbags. be careful). the sunroof rattle has to be glued with a rubberized epoxy.

[GlazierGlaze]

Yeah, I bought mine used with 39K miles but as far as I'm concerned it is a 60K+ car. It should not be rattling more at 39K than my old Mustang did at 80k.

[bkkchris]

Ugh, yeah, my car rattles like crazy… just can't bother taking it to the dealership because I know that will end in frustration… the doors/seals seem to be the worst offender on mine, but the entire A pillar, doors, sunroof area, B pillar area rattles… surprisingly my dash is pretty rattle free. Been thinking of taking the door panels off and fabric taping everything down or better, but kinda feel like its not going to solve it enough to bother… def my B6/B7 was less prone to rattles.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Guys that's crazy. I guess it's gotten worse through the later B8/8.5 cars. My first year has only one light buzz around the sun shade.


Mops on the move

[chrissurfr]

Ugh, yeah, my car rattles like crazy… just can't bother taking it to the dealership because I know that will end in frustration… the doors/seals seem to be the worst offender on mine, but the entire A pillar, doors, sunroof area, B pillar area rattles… surprisingly my dash is pretty rattle free. Been thinking of taking the door panels off and fabric taping everything down or better, but kinda feel like its not going to solve it enough to bother… def my B6/B7 was less prone to rattles.

It could be the a-pillar area on mine as well. I haven't perfectly isolated it yet. This is why I'm going at it with the "nuke the entire interior with sound deadener" approach. It's absurd.

[GlazierGlaze]

Ugh, yeah, my car rattles like crazy… just can't bother taking it to the dealership because I know that will end in frustration… the doors/seals seem to be the worst offender on mine, but the entire A pillar, doors, sunroof area, B pillar area rattles… surprisingly my dash is pretty rattle free. Been thinking of taking the door panels off and fabric taping everything down or better, but kinda feel like its not going to solve it enough to bother… def my B6/B7 was less prone to rattles.

This makes me sad to hear. Not only for you, but for me as well. I figure the next car I purchase will probably be a used 2014/2015 RS5. About 3-5 years from now.

I was hoping it was mostly just the B8 as it takes a few years to work the kinks out in any new body style.

[chrissurfr]

This makes me sad to hear. Not only for you, but for me as well. I figure the next car I purchase will probably be a used 2014/2015 RS5. About 3-5 years from now.

I was hoping it was mostly just the B8 as it takes a few years to work the kinks out in any new body style.

The B8.5 RS5 has so many more rattles than my B8 S5. Maybe I just got unlucky?

[Got No Game]

The B8.5 RS5 has so many more rattles than my B8 S5. Maybe I just got unlucky?

Nope. I gots mad rattles too. Heard that several others do as well.

[GlazierGlaze]

Glad I'm not the only one I guess then. I may have to look into the sunroof foam thing though, that's my current pet peeve as I can hear it over my music with the windows down.

[chrissurfr]

Nope. I gots mad rattles too. Heard that several others do as well.

Wow....this is unbelievable. Can you list who else has issues that you know of? This may be worth a letter to Audi of America because this is complete bullshit. Maybe you could PM them to come post in this thread and get a list going?

I would be more than happy to write a letter and list all B8 and B8.5 owners names/vins, etc. to get some movement here. This is not right. This needs a TSB man.


1. Chrissurfr - 2014 RS5
2. Got No Game - 2014 RS5
3. GlazierGlaze - 2010 S5
4. bkkchris - 2014 s5

[Okan509]

my MMI piece makes noise. I hear they will replace it fo free.

[ACR]

You guys are making me nervous! My car is due any day and I can't stand rattles. My F150 is as quiet as a tomb. My Audi better have better build quality.

[Got No Game]

It really isn't that big of a deal. Certainly not something I would have thought of elevating to AoA over! It's just one of those things I need to hunt down the source of and correct.

[JimWB]

You guys are making me nervous! My car is due any day and I can't stand rattles. My F150 is as quiet as a tomb. My Audi better have better build quality.

I hear ya ACR! My G35 rear windows rattled after about a month of ownership. They still do if it's cold, but if I put them down and back up it usually goes away. Otherwise I've been pretty impressed how solid it feels at 135k miles.

[ExhaustNote]

The B8.5 RS5 has so many more rattles than my B8 S5. Maybe I just got unlucky?

Man, I thought I was the only RS5 with rattles...it's driving me insane! My B8 S5 barely rattled at all!

[yas]

My car has it's share of rattles, but so did my B8 S4, and my buddy's B8.5 S4. I've added a bit of foam here and there, will add more when I swap out the mirror caps.


Dealership isn't worth the hassle.

[kidentist]

Before you tear your dashboard apart, you should post a video (with good audio) of the problem. I am certain that this forum has more than a few folks that can give a certified audi technician a class or two. Good luck. Just my 2 cents.

[MilesM]

I've got one buzz that makes noise with bass-heavy music around the right door area. Been meaning to track it down but have yet to.

[B8_Jim]

I fixed a passenger door rattle (or creaking might be more accurate) by taking the door panel and trim off and putting felt under every place that looked like it might rub or vibrate together. Now I need to do the instrument cluster surround trim...

My past experience gives me zero confidence that the dealer would be motivated to fix this kind of thing (or anything come to think of it). My 09 A4 only had instrument cluster creaks - the S5 has been worse in that respect, but I'll take minor noises over the host of actual mechanical issues I had with the A4. (knocks on wood...)

[DinB]

I fixed my rattle in the back. I used a different sound deafening material. Same thing as dynamite but cheaper. Audi installed it in the rear for free. No issues in the front other than if I have water bottles in the door.

[Mops@Nemesis]

[wessside31]

My passenger door rattles... Rear deck is the worst - drives me insane. I gave up on the dealership too because A) they make me feel like I'm burdening them with my issues B) I'm tired of them getting my lunar silver seats all dirty.

I have a rattle in the dash on my SQ5 too... Haven't even tried to get that looked at yet.

[DinB]

My passenger door rattles... Rear deck is the worst - drives me insane. I gave up on the dealership too because A) they make me feel like I'm burdening them with my issues B) I'm tired of them getting my lunar silver seats all dirty.

I have a rattle in the dash on my SQ5 too... Haven't even tried to get that looked at yet.

Just cover the entire rear deck in the material. Also so the pillars at the back.

[pnws4]

Guess I've been lucky so far. 8k miles and only rattle has been a slightly loose carbon fiber trim in passenger door which was easily fixed. My wife's B8.5 S4 had a prominent front dash rattle which our dealer also fixed quickly. It was a loose speaker bracket in the center channel. Seems to me that your dealer should be more willing to find the cause...

[noshadow]

I have a pretty old car that rattled like crazy. I spent a long time just hunting for what it was without taking anything apart. Apparently it ended up being one loose screw and speaker grill that were just slightly off. I just added some adhesive to the grill and tightened the screw, and it seemed like 10000 rattles were solved. So it could just be 1 or 2 things tops.

Maybe find someone to drive your car while you put your ear to certain things, or start holding things with your hand to see if that stops the vibration.

[u2nelson]

B8.5 with 20K miles now. No rattles or squeaks, but I did track a few down. One was the little button on the end of the cruise control. Fixed with small dab of grease. Another was a bottle of Motrin in my glove box, easy fix. Really the car is so silent, you hear every little thing, like last weekend cruising down the freeway with my wife, I could hear something squeaking over by her side, (and it was not her). So I ask her if she could hear it, and she looked around and then found it. It was her water bottle in the door holder. No easy fix for that until the trip was over so I wisely let it go.

Now the creaking when the body flexes is a different story, it has done this since new, and no none seems to know where its coming from or how to fix. If anyone knows how to fix that, I would be very grateful.

I agree with the Audi guilt trip if you bring this stuff up with them..According to Audi, the creaking I have is caused by my aftermarket sway bars, even though it did this before they were installed, but now its the sway bars. Dealership is no help.

[antoff83]

took my RS 2 times to dealer about squeaking noise around steering wheel..waste of time..still squeaking. Now just listen to the radio with high volume

[YelloJello]

I have rattle on certain bass notes on driver's side door and center console near temperature or ADS button area on my B8.5 S5. Then when I drive my E36 convertible, that sh!t creaks and rattles like crazy.

[sirmium]

I had so many rattles and squeaks that it was insane. In the rear shelf, dash. Huge problem were rubber stoppers at the trunk lid, noise sounded like someone is killing a cat in the trunk when driving over uneven surface(there is thread that i posted how this was resolved). I don't have the car any more, but at the time i though it was unacceptable for $70k car to be built like crap.

[bknewtype]

no rattles here. @ 42k miles, 2011 a5. only thing i hear is my coins bouncing all over the place when i hit bumps and my license plate hitting against my back seat on uneven roads.

[rlarsen462]

Man you guys must be unlucky. We have some shit roads here in CA and the only rattle I had was a rear-auto-sunshade rattle from the factory with heavy bass. Took it in and they ripped it apart, replaced the entire sunshade, and applied some sound deadener. More or less fixed it but loud electronic music with deep bass beats can get it buzzing again slightly. I don't really care.

Other than that, the car is pretty damn silent, even with H&R coilovers and going over terrible streets. I will sometimes get a very mild creak if I am going sideways out of a badly-angled driveway to prevent scraping but I mean the car is literally being twisted on two diagonally-opposite wheels so I don't really consider that a huge issue.

Sucks though, I feel your pain...I HATE chronic rattles.

[YelloJello]

I LOVE chronic rattles... less the rattles.