Rear hat tray rattle

[gr330zhp]

So I have been getting this rattle coming from my rear hat tray, below my rear window. It has come recently and is quite annoying honestly. My rear shock mounts are in good shape as is everything else suspension wise. My car has 66k miles on it

I read somewhere that the rear tray is wood/cardboard and rattles against the metal plate below? Anybody heard of this? Could I just put something (ie. foam or cloth) between to stop it?


Thanks guys
Stathi

[johnrando]

Sorry I can't help, as I don't have one in my car, but would you mind posting of pic of this? I'm guessing you are talking about the back shelf? If so, I've never heard it called a "hat tray". Interesting.

[gr330zhp]

I never really knew what it was called until I heard it being called a hat tray...i know it probably isnt the real term for it but it made sense as some people put hats there :dunno

But yes I am referring to the rear shelf where the speakers and child seat anchors are

[Oli77]

Maybe you can get some ideas from this one: http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=429992

Essentially stuffing the area with dense material like you mentioned.

[gr330zhp]

Maybe you can get some ideas from this one: http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=429992

Essentially stuffing the area with dense material like you mentioned.

Wow, very useful, thank you! :)

[Oli77]

:thumbsup

[kayger12]

Oli- that is exactly what I needed.

Thanks!

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[static667]

Thanks for this one, guys. I completely removed the HK subs because they were the source of another rattle. That and I have a pair of Audiobahn 10's for my bass section. Now I can get rid of the rest of the rattle.

[billschusteriv]

Ugh. Not a fan of the mod.

Personally, I would use a cleaner approach using dynamat and MDF tubing/rings around the subwoofer openings that span the two rear decks.

IIRC, subwoofers are supposed to have a specific amount of air (measured in cubic feet) for them to fire into in order to give you that sound. The "improved bass response" or "harder hitting bass" is likely because the subwoofers are working harder, trying to pushing/moving a given amount of air in a smaller space.

And now that I say that, I notice that the HK subwoofer box has multiple openings... even looks "ported".

I would defer to other audiophiles that are better versed in the mechanics of car audio and subwoofer installation/custom enclosures.

[Oli77]

Bill, I think the air that is moved by the speaker has not changed in that mod on E46F. This insertion of a fibrous material in front of a speaker would certainly muffle a mid or higher frequency speaker, however, we are talking about a subwoofer here. Those low frequencies will pas through anything (including thick walls).

If worried, one could always cut the foamy substance out of the opening in front of the subwoofers.

The mod was more to reduce vibrations around the speakers (on the back shelf).

[iZHP]

my rattle seems like it's hitting the glass... ::eeps

[Stu]

I did the tennis ball mod with the rear deck. It gets rid of most of the rattle, but it doesn't fix it totally. Certain frequencies will cause it to vibrate. The only way to really fix it is by taking out the entire rear deck and Dynamating the bejesus out of it with the thickest Dynamat there is. Or stuffing it even more with it off.

[spencers]

my rattle seems like it's hitting the glass... ::eeps
This is probably your problem.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=837216

[gr330zhp]

So I removed my subs this morning and stuffed a couple detailing towels up there, it's a tight fit, but it is doable.

I took the car for a 5 minute ride and so far, no rattle. We will see with rougher roads

Sent from my HTC Desire, Like a BOSS!

[Stu]

As much as I love these cars, they're really rattle factories over time.

[gr330zhp]

As much as I love these cars, they're really rattle factories over time.

Haha the E46 is nothing, I have been driving my VW for the past 2 days. Oh my! I think every piece of the interior rattles, and the MkIV was one of VW's best interiors

[mikeyb74]

Hat tray? I've always called it a "Parcel Shelf". I don't have to worry about rattles from my hat tray. hehe...


Haha the E46 is nothing, I have been driving my VW for the past 2 days. Oh my! I think every piece of the interior rattles, and the MkIV was one of VW's best interiors

From my mkIV days I remember finding interior pieces just appearing from no where when I would go to get in sometimes...

[gr330zhp]

From my mkIV days I remember finding interior pieces just appearing from no where when I would go to get in sometimes...

Haha on the floor right?!? :rofl same here. Eh whatever they're VWs we still love 'em :biggrin

Sent from my HTC Desire, Like a BOSS!

[mikeyb74]

Haha on the floor right?!? :rofl same here. Eh whatever they're VWs we still love 'em :biggrin

Sent from my HTC Desire, Like a BOSS!

Passenger side...It even had some foam blowing out of the vents at times.

[gr330zhp]

Passenger side...It even had some foam blowing out of the vents at times.

Ayyy, I have not had that, that's weird :rofl And you had a GLI too, lol the best of MkIVs