New to the board here. I just purchased a pre-owned 2007 TL Type-S from a high-end pre-owned car dealership.

Unfortunately, at 3600 miles, the car seems to have the steering column rattle that I've read so much about. I'm sure that my local dealer is not going to be happy that that first warranty issue I need to bring the car in for is a silly rattle (especially since I did not buy the car from them).

So my question....Is there a specific Technical Service Bulletin for the steering column rattle that I can point the dealer toward ? I can easily replicate the sound by tapping on the bottom of the wheel. Based on what I've read, it sounds like the "airbag cable clip" that seen others have issues with.

Thanks for any help!!! This board looks like a great resource...

 

i had the same exact thing, there is not a tsb for it, but why not take you car in for an oil change, and combind that with fix the rattles while you have it....

personally i would bring it right in for the problem and tell them to get it fixed...i believe they took my steering wheel apart and padded up everything inside of it....it took care of it....i was able to replicate the sound in the same manner as you, but tapping on the wheel....

 

Question: While you were/are driving and hearing this rattle, does it go away if you apply downward pressure onthe steering wheel?

The rattle I have is obnoxiously loud - almost a buzz. Definetly in the steering wheel/steering column. It's worst/loudest at highway speed. When I pull down on the steering wheel, it will stop/decrease.

I too am wondering if it's the cable clips/connections behind the steering wheel/air bag cover.

 

i never took the airbag off, but i would imagine there is some wires and stuff that is loose inside and vibrating when they touch each other....i believe they took the cover off and padded up the wires and such inside and i would have to say that 99% of the noise is gone if not 100%...

 

I might try it. I've got the instructions on getting to the wire harness connectors and, if necessary, removing the air bag to get underneath.

There was another post on padding/immobilizing the wire harness and connectors and that solved that posters problem.

I am just not certain exactly where the rattle is coming from - it sounds like under the air bag/horn cover.

And as I mentioned, pulling down on the steering wheel (not a lot, just some downward pressure) will make it stop. That makes me wonder if it might be from the steering column, but I really don't think so.

 

anything is worth a shot when trying to fix a rattle...

 

Foam taped and wire tired the connectors/wire harness for the horn and airbag down this evening.

Didn't work. Must be under the air bag cover or in the steering column itself.

Searching for solutions.

 

Well know and unfortunately difficult for dealers to fix. My dealer acknowledged it but then we went to 4 or 5 other new TLs on the lot an they all did it too. Dealer looked at me and said "I'll try and fix it but given they all do it I might just rear apart your wheel/column for to no avail". I really couldn't disagree with him at that point.

I ended up fixing it myself.

Please read these threads for more background and insight:

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/steering-wheel-buzzing-fixed-08-a-635300/
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?p=9267710
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?p=9267710

 

Excellent information. Thanks for digging those up.

I kept searching "Steering Wheel Rattle" and "Steering Column Rattle", but it's definetly a "buzz" - that's *exactly* how I think of it.

Now I've got to decide whether it's DIY or Dealer.