LX Vehicles “A” Pillar rattle/creak/squeak (hood flushness bolt)

[ResumeSpeed]

A TSB has not been issued for this symptom, below is the information for diagnosis and repair.


SYMPTOM: Rattle appears to be coming from the “A” pillar area of the instrument panel. The rattle sounds metallic and or creak/squeak. The rattle usually occurs under normal driving conditions.

DIAGNOSIS: If the rattle is repeatable, try pushing down on either side of the IP at the “A” pillars. If the rattle does not go away, it may be the hood flushness adjusting plastic bolt rattling within the hood hinge.

REPAIR: Open the hood and in the hood hinge assembly you will see a hood flushness adjusting bolt. This is the suspect part. Turn the bolt head ¼ - ½ turn counter clockwise. This will insure full contact of the bolt head to the hinge. Close the hood and try to repeat the rattle.

[Stockholm 300C]

Originally Posted by ResumeSpeed

A TSB has not been issued for this symptom, below is the information for diagnosis and repair.


SYMPTOM: Rattle appears to be coming from the “A” pillar area of the instrument panel. The rattle sounds metallic and or creak/squeak. The rattle usually occurs under normal driving conditions.

DIAGNOSIS: If the rattle is repeatable, try pushing down on either side of the IP at the “A” pillars. If the rattle does not go away, it may be the hood flushness adjusting plastic bolt rattling within the hood hinge.

REPAIR: Open the hood and in the hood hinge assembly you will see a hood flushness adjusting bolt. This is the suspect part. Turn the bolt head ¼ - ½ turn counter clockwise. This will insure full contact of the bolt head to the hinge. Close the hood and try to repeat the rattle.

I followed the steps in your post and the problem is solved. No more rattle from the front passenger area. Thank you ResumeSpeed.

[ResumeSpeed]

Originally Posted by Stockholm 300C

I followed the steps in your post and the problem is solved. No more rattle from the front passenger area. Thank you ResumeSpeed.

You are most welcome. Squeaks and rattles can be among the most difficult problems to diagnose and solve, glad that this worked for you.

[richierich954]

Does anyone have a digital photograph of this particular area where the bolt to adjust is?

Thanks.

[Stockholm 300C]

Here it is. It's down by the hinges on both sides.

[Stockholm 300C]

Sorry about the size. I've forgotten how to copy the pictures correctly.

[richierich954]

Thanks. They should put out a TSB on that squeak. I misdignosed my squeak as the coupler under the steering wheel column needing a little grease. Good catch...

I wonder why they put that little piece of felt at the end of the bolt?

[Stockholm 300C]

I put the felt on the bolt...and on every other surface where moving metal meets metal. It's such an easy deal, but it really cuts down on unwanted irritating noises. I have it on the hood and trunk bolts, glove box, etc. I am totally AR as it pertains to squeaks and rattles, and this was an easy fix to some of them. I've done this on every car I've owned for the last decade. My old Crown Victoria was a damn squeekbox until the furniture pads were in place. After that....silence.

[richierich954]

A little twist of the specified bolt, and felt stickers mitigated the squeak/creak from my front dash area. When I drive, it actually sounds as quiet as a Lexus.

Good job!

[Stockholm 300C]

Glad to hear it helped. If you're like me you go crazy trying to find the source of these noises. The Gene Hackman movie "The Conversation" comes to mind, where he tears up the whole apartment looking for surveillance bugs.