Rattling dash

[Noblescort]

My dash has an annoying rattle. It sounds a bit like one of the de-mist vents is loose, but it's not. One of the screws at the leading edge of the dash has come unscrewed a bit and I think the top of the dash is now touching the base of the windscreen. I have tried tightening it up but it just spins round. Anyone know how they are fitted, what they screw into and how I might solve this one (preferably without removing the screen)?

[AMG Merc]

Does it stop if you force a sliver of foam (or similar) in between the dash and the screen?

[MrCredit]

Having had my dash out a few times this is how it was secured.



Excuse the drawing!!!
It could be that the top nut that secures the allen bolt to the dash is loose?

[Noblescort]

AMG , If a passenger in the car touches the top of the dash, it stops.

MrCredit, Presumably the allen bolt is designed to be locked to the dash with the top nut and the dash tightened from underneath using the bottom nut? How easy is it to get underneath to tighten it up? Of course this may not work if it's the top nut loose as there is no way of holding/tightening the top nut to the dash with the dash in place (unless someone can tell me how)

[mgbond]

I would assume that as long as you can tighten the bottom nut this will force the top nut into the fixing point and secure it. Or it will spin but eventually lock.

You obviously have to have someone doing the bolt from above while you do the nut underneath.

No Idea how to get to them though.

Bondy

[Ash 996 GT2]

Fit a roush exhaust then drive the car like it was stolen.

You won't hear a thing, not even police sirens.

[Adrian W]

I had this rattle, it was driving me mad it sort of just radiated from the dash, I couldn't find where it was coming from. I got a passenger to check the dash while i drove the car.

It was the radio

[AMG Merc]

Adrian W said:

I had this rattle, it was driving me mad it sort of just radiated from the dash, I couldn't find where it was coming from. I got a passenger to check the dash while i drove the car.

It was the radio

Agreed, the radio panel can creak causing a nuisance. Also check the padded panel inset/s on the dash as they can creak where the metal faster enters the dash panel. Best test is to remove them and test drive.

[Noblescort]

As suggested I stuffed a bit of foam in the gap between the dash where I suspected the rattle originated and the screen.

Guess what? Rattle gone.

Now just need to get to that damn bolt to tighten it up. How much of the car needs dismantling to do this?

[AMG Merc]

Noblescort said:

As suggested I stuffed a bit of foam in the gap between the dash where I suspected the rattle originated and the screen.

Guess what? Rattle gone.

Now just need to get to that damn bolt to tighten it up. How much of the car needs dismantling to do this?

Cool - hide the foam and job done then!

[Noblescort]

Like your style! - but just maybe I might try the "do the nut up a bit" route first.

So how much will I have to dismantle?

[NobleGuy]

If it's anything like getting to the heater box allen bolts under the dash then prepare yourself for a day of swearing .

I have a feeling your nut will be even less accessible. Really annoying for such a simple thing I know, but...

Adrian W said:

...It was the radio

Yes, my radio squeaks too. Very annoying.