How-to Fix the rear deck/subwoofer rattle (less than 5mins fix)

[vankuen]

Originally Posted by vankuen

My car is at the dealer right now for all the squeeks, rattles, and creaking througout the interior cabin. They've already replaced the seat track on the driver side for creaking. They heard "minor" creaking in the dash--but "not from one place, it was all over." He made it sound like it wasn't worth their time to investigate and place felt lining between the plastic pieces. Hopefully I won't have any trouble having them tend to it.

The rear deck rattle TSB apparently is only for certain VIN numbers according to my service advisor. Some of the earlier coupe's did not have spray foam insulation inside this spot you guys are talking about--but apparently mine had that. So I told him to have his guys R/R the rear deck because something is definitely rattling back there.

I also have a higher pitched metal "washer rattle" sound when my car goes over bumps--sounds to be from both the right and left sides of the car in the rear. Something with the suspension or c pillars perhaps. They haven't looked into that yet because they can't hear it for themselves.

After all this crap I need to go to the body shop to have them tend to some paint problems on the rear bumper. This car has proven to be more trouble than it's worth. I should've bought a 350Z or STi.

So I got my car back today. Looking at the paperwork they had 4 different tasks: one, to fix the seat creaking. Two, to tend to the rear deck rattle with the radio on. Three, to tend to the high pitched metal rattle in the rear when hitting bumps; and finally four, to tend to the creaking in the front deck and glove compartment. They managed to get 75% of it done. They replaced the seat backing on the underside and rear. They removed and reinstalled the rear deck, making sure to tighten up anything back there that needed it. The metal rattling came from inside the C-pillars where the airbags were, they said something about a metal clip being loose and vibrating against the support beam. The front deck they said was minor and to be honest pretty normal. They said that taking apart the front would mean that it would probably be worse when they put it all back together. Apparently they figure that with as many pieces as it has that taking it apart may do more harm than good. I think that's a sign of incompetence personally, but since they managed to get rid of most of the noise, I decided to overlook it (for now) as it is very slight and only noticable when listening for it with the radio off and windows up.

Just thought I'd give a quick report for you all so that if you take your cars' to the dealership you can advise them on what's been found in other models with the same problem. Good luck to all the ones who own SI rattleboxes...we will need it. I'm sure this isn't the last I'll be talking about this.

[Southpaw72]

I tried the paper towel thing and it didn't seem to help. It kind of made the bass muffled sounding and I still got the rattle. I hopped in the back seat the other day while playing the Eagles - New Kid in Town. The bass at the beginning of the song is just right for activating the rattle. I pushed down on the rear deck trying to get it to lock in better and it seemed to help for a little bit but then this morning it was worse than ever. I'll definately be dropping by the dealership to have then resolve it.

[Sleepy]

I am going to fix my rattle now, mine is the opposite side of the sub, honda tells me my bass was too loud and that is why it was doing it, i told them they didnt install it right at the factory.

[Clinton70]

It's been in the shop before. They said the woofer was blown. They fixed it but still had a rattle. The towel thing seems to work but I'm putting an amp and two subs in (from my old car). Miss my old system.

[Southpaw72]

Took the Civic into the Dealership last Friday. It took them 3 hrs but they were able to fix the sub-woofer rattle. He said that they put some felt around it and reset the rear deck.

As for the sqeaking in my ceiling, it appears that is actually coming from the windshield. They said that they can reseal it and that may help. I'll be taking it back in this week for that. An all day thing so I'll be getting a loaner.

[Dmc]

haha the instructions are so funny

[radiocontrolhead]

if u guys bass it up like dufaces, then yea, it will rattle. the car is supposed to have nice sound, NOT A BASS MONSTER!

[philster2003]

I think you will find there are many of us here that do not "bass it up like dufaces" or is it "base it up like dufaces" I for one have the subwoofer at middle ground setting and it should NOT rattle like it does.

I tried to reseat the deck, I tried pushing down on the rear deck but it hasn't eliminated the rattle, which is crap in my book. As much as I hate taking the coup back to the dealer for a fix it looks like I'm going to have to take it in. Maybe I'll try the paper towel deal in an effort to subvert from taking it to the dealer (stearlership)

The car for me has been flawless to this point except for this subwoofer rattle. I should feel fortunate as it could always be worse. But regardless I just can't stand rattles, creaks and squeaks no matter where it comes from and for this fantastic navi radio system with subwoofer to rattle is just plan crap and unacceptable.

Ok venting over, sorry bout that

[GalaxyGreySi]

I just EPT taped the SH*T out of any part of the rear deck that looked close to touching any part of the trim. The TSB instructions didn't fix the issue, so I put MORE TAPE! And now it sounds beautiful :)

[philster2003]

EPT?

Can you be more specific?

This is driving me crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DewNut]

I took mine in today for the same problem (I have a LX coupe) They spent 3 hours installing foam under the rear deck, the rattles are a little better, but it still rattles quite a bit. I am not sadisfied by any means... I have 2 12" Polk MOMO's in the trunk, yeah a little overkill, but the friggin deck rattle when I go over a bumpy section of road, it doesn't have anything to do with bass. IMO, Honda needs to buck up and fix this!

[panthertoxin]

I've read all your input, perhaps I will try the towel trick. However, the car is friggin brand new! Nobody should have to do that, and Honda ought to agree. Anyway...

Brought it in the first time at the 5k service, mentioned the subwoofer, they said they had heard of this and had a dealer notification of some kind on how to fix it. They did this in december 05 maybe?

That did the trick. The problem was fixed... however, it reappeared the same as before, after a few months. Had the 10k service done yesterday, they supposedly did the same thing to it again... no dice this time.

The dealer where I bought my car has won a ridiculous amount of 'excellent service' awards, and did not fail me in the past when I had my Accord, so we'll see what they come up with. I spoke to them again today, and they say there are several things they have in mind to try (although I really don't like the sound of 'try', i guess since since this problem has not been completely remedied yet, us newbie owners are guinea pigs).

As long as they find a satisfactory solution for me for this problem, I'll be ok. The annoying part is just bringing it in and leaving it while they mess with it.

FYI: In case anyone is wondering... my stereo is also the stock stereo and woofer that comes with the EX. Additionally, I never have the subwoofer setting above '+2' and hardly ever listen to the stereo set to anything higher than '12', so if anyone thinks that some folks complaining about this just listen to their music too loud this is obviously not the case here.

[panthertoxin]

Ok, took my car in again yesterday for fix attempt #3, and it appears that they got it this time (at least, for now). Of course, I thought that it was fixed after the last time, but anyhow. According to my service guy, it took them about 5 hours to take a lot of the rear assembly apart and reassemble it, in such a way as to have stopped the vibrating from the stereo.

This was done under warranty, and they paid for a rental car while the work was being done.

[somedaySI]

This works nice. Thanks. Why take it to the dealership when all you need is $0.20 of paper towel? Just jam big rolls in there so there is pressure on the top and bottom where it shows in the picture.

[fiji06si13]

Sounds good gonna try this if not then gonna redo decklid.

[si_civic]

I guess this is inherent to all Si's?

[8thCivicNut]

My sub rattles also but thought I just had to live with it. Are you just plugging the holes behind the sub or are you filling in the air space behind so the paper towel touches the paper cone?

[EX2006]

Thanks. Heard the rattle this morning. I'm definitely going to check it out.

[somedaySI]

Originally Posted by 8thCivicNut

My sub rattles also but thought I just had to live with it. Are you just plugging the holes behind the sub or are you filling in the air space behind so the paper towel touches the paper cone?

Just plugging the whole on the left side looking from the back worked for me.

[ncoday]

I just did this! It works great, could turn up the subwoofer and bass with no rattles!