Harman Kardon speaker vibration

[kampsvilleboy]

Thank you SOOOO much. Got the foam strip from Ace yesterday and put it in today, the full width of the rear window. A you said, unless you were looking for it, not at all noticeable AND, most importantly, it so far seems to have fixed my bass rattle 100%. I can now appreciate how clean this system and its bass is even at volumes higher then I'd normally listen at. I even switched to a Sirius rap station to check it out and no rattle. This Harman Kardon unit really is very nice - I can't believe how much that stupid oversight by Chrysler (what 2 cents worth of foam) has ruined the experience for the first 5 months of ownership.

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.

[tom1040]

Darlings in Maine. They are taking my car from my office to the stereo guy, waiting for them to 'fix' it, then bringing it back to me so I do not have to lose any work time. That is great service-AFAIAC.

ALSO, they bought the Nav update that just came out and will perform the update will they have the car. I think that to be great service. My clientele will also hear about this.

I hope a TSB is released soon regarding this issue which, if not fixed, puts a damper on the H/K system. After it is fixed, it sounds great-to me.

Thanks for everyone's help with this.

[fanofsteel]

I have the HK system and apart from the annoying rattle in the rear deck, it is fantastic!!! It is very frustrating to think that Chrysler would allow this defect out of the shop with a very simple solution in hand!!

Thank you for this fantastic post as the solution works 100%!! I couldn't find the foam tape so I bought an air conditioner weather seal foam strip for $2 at Home Depot. I split it in half with a utility knife and tucked it in between the rear deck and the rear glass.

I was cranking deep bass songs that used to rattle like crazy and it is clean as a whistle!!! Thank you again for a very easy and effective solution.

[Jet driver]

I bought the tape at Ace Hardware and installed it. It still rattles. Car is at the dealer for the third time. Hoping they will find a solution. It's not acceptable that we pay 2 grand for the upgraded sound system and have stuff foam underneath the back panel to keep it from rattling. That's what you used to do when you had a 1970 Duster. Not a car costing over 55k. Im raising hell with Chrysler. My work car a 16 year old Camry doesn't have one rattle or squeak . Go figure.

[tom1040]

Originally Posted by Jet driver

I bought the tape at Ace Hardware and installed it. It still rattles. Car is at the dealer for the third time. Hoping they will find a solution. It's not acceptable that we pay 2 grand for the upgraded sound system and have stuff foam underneath the back panel to keep it from rattling. That's what you used to do when you had a 1970 Duster. Not a car costing over 55k. Im raising hell with Chrysler. My work car a 16 year old Camry doesn't have one rattle or squeak . Go figure.

I totally agree. I am waiting for a global TSB to be revealed. It appears that then, and ONLY then, will the dealership know exactly how to fix it-completely. Until that time, these makeshift 'fixes' only reduce the vibration---it does not remove it all. It is frustrating to say the least. I think I shall open up a complaint with Chrysler as well as the BBB.

[Jet driver]

Third time at the dealer. They installed foam tape in the back panel. Not as bad but it still rattles with certain songs. I was told its the sub woofer that causes the panel to rattle. It makes sense, in the older models the sub woofers were mounted in the trunk and it was never an issue. Working on plan D. Any suggestions?

[tom1040]

Just to open a complaint with Chrysler and the BBB. Barring that or a car audio shop that can help, I do not know what else to do. I am a Partner in a CPA firm in the mix of tax season so my options (as far as time to investigate) are limited. Good luck and please post if your dealer provides a fix.

[Gibby]

I have this same issue with the H/K system on my 2012 300 SRT. Not sure how I missed this thread before...

I'm also annoyed that I paid over $50k for a car that rattles when you turn up the $2K additional option. But it's one of my only two complaints about the car at least.

[tom1040]

Originally Posted by Gibby

I have this same issue with the H/K system on my 2012 300 SRT. Not sure how I missed this thread before...

I'm also annoyed that I paid over $50k for a car that rattles when you turn up the $2K additional option. But it's one of my only two complaints about the car at least.

It is frustrating to say the least. I want all my toys to work-esp. for the $$!!! Gibby, what has YOUR dealer said about this? I really would like to get someone on the forum who has a bit of pull @ Chrysler to jump on this issue and try to get a answer-or better yet-a solution to this defect. Since this has occured to most, if not all, of these cars(at least to the people who use the system and test the limits), I would hope there are a lot of people complaining?

[Gibby]

Originally Posted by tom1040

It is frustrating to say the least. I want all my toys to work-esp. for the $$!!! Gibby, what has YOUR dealer said about this? I really would like to get someone on the forum who has a bit of pull @ Chrysler to jump on this issue and try to get a answer-or better yet-a solution to this defect. Since this has occured to most, if not all, of these cars(at least to the people who use the system and test the limits), I would hope there are a lot of people complaining?

I actually haven't taken it to the dealer. I get so annoyed dealing with dealerships and how long they take and how little they care. I don't find it worth my time and frustration to take it to a handful of people that are going to do the same thing I am; figure out what's rattling and fix it with something. Sure, I know that if they get enough of these issues at the dealerships there would likely be a TSB, but I'm probably not going to be one of them. I'll just whine on the forums...