Harman Kardon speaker vibration

[tom1040]

Back from the car audio business. No blown speaker. There is a lack of dampening material that is causing the issues. He recommended taking the back seat out, removing the rear deck and deaden the area with Dynaliner as well as Dynamat extreme in most of the area. He was astonded that Chrysler actually let the car off the assembly line as it was. He did what a few people have assumed-had a sine wave gizmo attched to a ipod and did some analysis noticing areas of 'excitement' and using some temporary filling to 'deaden' the vibration. It worked well enough that he felt comfortable with the above diagnoisis and it will be done at some point this year. My dealer has indicated that they will secure funds for this to occur. The estimate was for around $300-labor and material.

To be sure, I would much rather have not gone through this but if it helps others out and Chrysler does issue a TSB, the better off everyone will be after laying down $2K for this H/K system.

Thanks to all you have helped with suggestions and videos.

[MADDOG]

My Focal 33A sub hits hard enough to rattle stuff and I ended up doing much the same thing, tom1040.

[cinca]

Thanks for the update. It's a bummer Chrysler didn't do a better job of "locking everything down" and instead we are having to add additional weight to the car from installing stuff to deaden the sound. I'm not sure how much you will be needing per the audio guys recommendations but I am under the impression dynamat can get really heavy when you do a large portion of the car.

I am, however, excited to hear your local dealer seems to be open to paying to have the audio guy resolve issue and especially excited to hear how that turns out.


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[tom1040]

Wondering.........if the deletion of the power sunshade has anything to do with this? Since I have no idea at all where this option was housed, perhaps its deletion caused the back deck not to be looked at again for purposes surrounding the issue at hand?

Only speculation since I cannot imagine Chrysler just let this out the door without checking.....

[cinca]

I think that is a pretty genius hypothesis.

I wonder if the space occupied by the rear sun shade and it' mechanics was maybe slightly larger then the HK rear speaker replacing it... And then empty airgap gives just enough space for bass frequencies to vibrate that rear deck.

That video was really troubling.


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[JohnCody]

OK, I went to ACE hardware and purchased "Super Firm Sponge Tape - Closed Cell" Stock # 57631. It's a 1/2 x 1/2 x 10 foot roll for $6.00. It actualls says on the package "Shock-absorbing, dampens rattles and vibration".

I cut off three 6" trips and stuffed one strip in the left rear lower corner between the rear window and rear deck (from inside the cabin, not from the trunk), one in the middle and one on the right lower corner. I did NOT peel off the white adhesive cover so I can simply pull these strips out at any time.

Subwoofer rattle is 99% gone - drastic improvement and now I can really enjoy the $2k I spent on the system.

[cinca]

A little ingenuity goes along way.

Is your fix 100% invisible from inside and outside the car?


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[tom1040]

Originally Posted by JohnCody

OK, I went to ACE hardware and purchased "Super Firm Sponge Tape - Closed Cell" Stock # 57631. It's a 1/2 x 1/2 x 10 foot roll for $6.00. It actualls says on the package "Shock-absorbing, dampens rattles and vibration".

I cut off three 6" trips and stuffed one strip in the left rear lower corner between the rear window and rear deck (from inside the cabin, not from the trunk), one in the middle and one on the right lower corner. I did NOT peel off the white adhesive cover so I can simply pull these strips out at any time.

Subwoofer rattle is 99% gone - drastic improvement and now I can really enjoy the $2k I spent on the system.

That is great news!!! I am still going to get it done professionally since I want it to look the same as it does, albeit with a professional fix(hopefully). However, I did stick some padding down the back windshield glass area and it is much, much better. I am glad this is not as serious as I thought it might turn out to be. Sorry for being an alarmist with my first post!

I love the car! Mine is a black on black and I dig the looks. Just turned 2K.......

[MADDOG]

There was no TSB for dealing with rattles after the install of a Focal 33A subwoofer and dealing with rattles so I got busy...

[tom1040]

Quality job! I bet the Focal provides a darn good kick..