T350C nasty rattle behind seats & glovebox broke

[IbizaRich]

I expect the odd dash rattle on a car, and i'd certainly expect one on a TVR. However, this one is really annoying. Every time I run over the smallest bump in the road. It seems to be coming from the under the carpet behind the drivers/passemger seat. Now the carpet looks as though its glued down, and then some kind of felt is stuck to the floor underneath. I'm guessing its just fibre glass panels underneath it all? Can anyone suggest what it might be that's rattling and if it's feasible to go tearing up the carpet to try and find the culprit. It's an 03 350C that I picked up a month or so ago from a main TVR dealer.

On another subject, the glove box won't close. I read this is a common problem and they swapped to a magnetic catch. Can these be retro-fitted?

[daftlad]

IbizaRich said:

I expect the odd dash rattle on a car, and i'd certainly expect one on a TVR. However, this one is really annoying. Every time I run over the smallest bump in the road. It seems to be coming from the under the carpet behind the drivers/passemger seat. Now the carpet looks as though its glued down, and then some kind of felt is stuck to the floor underneath. I'm guessing its just fibre glass panels underneath it all? Can anyone suggest what it might be that's rattling and if it's feasible to go tearing up the carpet to try and find the culprit. It's an 03 350C that I picked up a month or so ago from a main TVR dealer. On another subject, the glove box won't close. I read this is a common problem and they swapped to a magnetic catch. Can these be retro-fitted?

Love box first mod was to mag catch. Second mod is to a fibre glass glove box as the palstic one distorts.
The rattle behind the seat? maybe worthwhile checking the compartment on the driver side at the rear of the car that takes the two tins of tyre weld. Maybe the tins knocking together.

[_DeeJay_]

IbizaRich said:

I expect the odd dash rattle on a car, and i'd certainly expect one on a TVR. However, this one is really annoying. Every time I run over the smallest bump in the road. It seems to be coming from the under the carpet behind the drivers/passemger seat. Now the carpet looks as though its glued down, and then some kind of felt is stuck to the floor underneath. I'm guessing its just fibre glass panels underneath it all? Can anyone suggest what it might be that's rattling and if it's feasible to go tearing up the carpet to try and find the culprit. It's an 03 350C that I picked up a month or so ago from a main TVR dealer. On another subject, the glove box won't close. I read this is a common problem and they swapped to a magnetic catch. Can these be retro-fitted?

Are you sure the rattle is not just the seat rubbing against the roll bar? Does rocking the car whilst stationary make the noise? Perhaps it's from the boot
cylinder thingies (the word escapes me) - the black cylinders which hold up the boot when open. Mine rattle a little bit over bumps and I was planning on replacing them with higher quality alternatives (the std items are really lightweight).

[IbizaRich]

I'll double check both of those suggestions, but I'm sure its coming from the floor, literally a few inches behind the seats. There's only one can of weld and i've checked the compartment closes firmly.

I've not checked the hinges to be honest, but I will do. If it's not those I just wonder if its a loose fibre glass panel. from lifting just a little of the carpet at the back I can see panels screwed down, so maybe it's as simple as a loose screw. However, doesn't look like the carpet will peel back without ruining the adhesive.

[targarama]

My boot latch rattled when I got the car - took me a while to work it out as it felt tight when closed. Might be worth checking just in case.

Maybe the noise is coming from under the floorpan - have you looked under the car at that point?

[rolex]

I found this was the best way to keep the glovebox shut

[IbizaRich]

LOL....

That looks like it'll do the job. Where did you buy that sturdy looking stick? and is that a custom not slip polishing cloth?

[tail slide]

If you can't find a suitably pleasing stick... I fixed mine by just loosening the screw holding the washer (that sits onto the magnet) about a full turn. This lets the washer be pulled at a slight angle into full contact with the magnet. Never comes open now.

[TheArb]

as daft says triple check the compartment where the cans are held at the back of the car, I had to add some foam and for months I swore the noise was coming from somewhere under the carpet behind the driver's seat....

[welly1]

A similar problem on mine turned out to be the heat shield fitted between the exhaust and the fuel tank. It was rubbing on the air scoop beneath the car. When the rear panel was removed there were witness marks in three places. Pushing the insulation closer to the fuel tank sorted the problem.

[ibizarich]

Took it back to the dealers today. The rattle was a wire going to the back windows of all things. Never would have found it in a month of Sunday. The glovebox has been fitted with a magnet and velcro, seems to be holding.

Other faults fixed were noisy power steering, fixed as per FAQ (nice one!). Passenger side carpet falling down - secured now, probly with more velcro.. I'll have to check. Hand Brake light intermittently coming on - fixed. Difficult to pull out drivers seat belt sorted. Last but not least... the geometry was set to the latest settings, and the suspension was modified. It was really unpredictable at speed, seems better now. I'll give it a good test at the weekend. Thanks to the Northwich Dealer!