So, I've been having some annoying rattles and creaks in my car that I haven't been able to resolve either by hook or by crook. Performed all kinds of searches on here (so many, in fact, that I actually found Waldo in the process) but nothing did the trick. Was sure it was the headliner and had designs on removing it so I could muck around in that region. But because I'm a true auto idiot, I adopted a less is more approach to see if I could resolve my problem without having to remove the headliner. Because I thought the noise was coming from behind my head, I thought I would try removing the dome light to see if I could gain access to that area (behind me). So, I removed the lens and then realized that I didn't have the correct size wrench to loosen the bolts that secure the light in place. This meant that I would have to drive to another location to get the tool. Well, lo and behold, on my drive there was none of the creaking that had become my constant companion. Amazingly, this annoying creak was simply due to the fact that the lens fit too tightly in the light bracket. The solution was to go buy some white grease to spread around the lens and now the world is a better place. I suspect other people have this noise in their cars, so maybe this will prove helpful...

...Now back to one hit wonders of the 80's...

 

Thanks for the suggestion. Today I went over the passenger side door seals with plastic protectant to solve a rattle from the passenger side. As you know, tracking down a rattle is tricky. Part of my problem may be caused by running my AVS ES100's at 36psi. The car handles and turns great at this pressure, but the hardening of the suspension maybe creating a rattle.

I will try your recommendation. Thanks for the heads up

 

I've wondered that too - if running higher tire pressure is more likely to coax rattles out of the car. I have a noise on the passenger side only when I go over bumps. It sounds kind of metallic, and I'm pretty sure it's something to do with the electric window height adjustment - but who knows, as you say pinning down rattles is no easy task. Is your noise wind related?

 

My current noise is bump related. I did have a wind related noise that the dealer fixed under warranty a few years ago. It was caused by the sunroof. From my understanding, they used sunroof tape around vulnerable rattling areas in the roof. I have had no noise from that area since. I tried to locate the positions of the tape to no avail. I bet it is covered under a service bulletin though.

As far as other wind noise, I have used klasse vinyl and dash protectant to go over my door seals and also making sure that they are properly seated. Yesterday I found 2 seals to be slightly out of their tracks. You have to carefully push them back into position. I initially tried to use an eyeglass screwdriver but the rubber was so soft that I almost punctured the seal. I had to hand fit the seals back into place. Locating misalignment in the seals was the hard part. You have to follow the contour of the seals where they attach to the door frame and look for any gaps in the seam. Hope you get to source of your noise.