Dash/windshield/frame rattle hunt [SOLVED]

[beachjeepRME]

Any help or suggestions are much appreciated - I've read just about every post here that mentions rattles and haven't had luck finding this one..

A few things I've figured out & tested:

• Removed doors, plastic door surrounds, soft top, top dash vent, and the plastic A Pillar cover . . . rattle still exists (almost louder after removing A Pillar cover)
• Have tucked towels into various openings to stabilize cables under the dash, etc . . no luck yet
• Always happens on small, quick bumps, washboard roads . . can be going 5mph or 75mph
• Tightened all visible screws & bolts, checked dash speakers
• Rattle occurs on both driver & passenger side, which made me think defrost vent/HVAC. But have used towels to wrap and doesn't go away

I've recorded a couple videos holding my phone near the dash to capture the rattle/clicking sound below:

It sounds like it's coming from somewhere inside the A Pillar, roll bar, or edge of dash:

(2004 rocky mountain edition if it helps. Thank you all!)

 

[TheBoogieman]

My entire Jeep rattles with some good music. It covers the annoying ones. I gave up 18 Jeeps ago trying to locate strange sounds.

 

[beachjeepRME]

My entire Jeep rattles with some good music. It covers the annoying ones. I gave up 18 Jeeps ago trying to locate strange sounds.

Current solution is definitely some music + the wind. I've had this thing for 11 years, my only vehicle, and don't plan to give up on it lol

 

[macleanflood]

I think I pulled $5 in change, plus lighters, pens, business cards, lipstick...you'd be amazed at how much crap you can get into your dash and HVAC box.

If you're really committed to fixing this pull your dash.

-Mac

 

[TheBoogieman]

Current solution is definitely some music + the wind. I've had this thing for 11 years, my only vehicle, and don't plan to give up on it lol

I've had really annoying rattles in the dash over the years. I have never "fixed" one. It's like mice that crawl in your Jeep at night and leave when you wake up.
p.s. I did fix the mouse chewing up things issue. R.I.P. "Sweetpea".

 

[beachjeepRME]

I think I pulled $5 in change, plus lighters, pens, business cards, lipstick...you'd be amazed at how much crap you can get into your dash and HVAC box.

If you're really committed to fixing this pull your dash.

-Mac

I'm afraid it's about that time..

Thanks Mac

 

[Chris]

Yep, that's the unfortunate truth. You're going want to pull the dash.

I'd probably do the heater core while I was in there too.

 

[beachjeepRME]

Yep, that's the unfortunate truth. You're going want to pull the dash.

I'd probably do the heater core while I was in there too.

Good call, I think i've seen that mentioned in a few dash-related posts here. Thanks Chris!

 

[beachjeepRME]

I've had really annoying rattles in the dash over the years. I have never "fixed" one. It's like mice that crawl in your Jeep at night and leave when you wake up.
p.s. I did fix the mouse chewing up things issue. R.I.P. "Sweetpea".

RIP Sweetpea. Hoping this rattle decides to up & leave one of these mornings

 

[ItchyDong]

It’s not the airbag is it?

 

[beachjeepRME]

It’s not the airbag is it?

It could be, is there a good way to check that? It makes the same rattle on both driver & passenger side
(I just updated the original post w a picture of where it sounds like to me)

 

[beachjeepRME]

Finally able to recreate & identify the rattle (video below)... narrowed it down to this weird metal overlap / rollbar connection and can't quite figure out how to tighten more than it already is. Does anyone have a possible solution for this?

When driving, I can pull down the top of the windshield (towards me) and the rattle stops

 

[macleanflood]

There's a plate behind there that engages the bolt...I messed with mine forever...ended up tacking it to the windshield frame in a couple places so I could chase it with a tap...then ground off the taps.

-Mac

 

[beachjeepRME]

There's a plate behind there that engages the bolt...I messed with mine forever...ended up tacking it to the windshield frame in a couple places so I could chase it with a tap...then ground off the taps.

-Mac

Decided to take the opposite approach first and barely loosen the bolts to see if it’d relieve pressure - it’s solved for now.. No rattles after a couple test drives. Might have to go your route in the future if it consistently comes back.

Appreciate all your replies!

 

[macleanflood]

A squirt or two of silicone might improve long term outlook.

My concern is those bolts hold the "roll cage" to the windshield frame. There's not much to a TJ. I want every bolt if something bad happens.

-Mac