Requesting R8 Owner Help -- Three Deafening Rattles.

[soho]

Hi all,

I would love your help.

I've been working with a dealer regarding these problems, but things just aren't getting done.

I have THREE rattles that are driving me up a wall. I swear, they are getting to the point where they are unbearable. Deafening may be a slight exaggeration, but the combined output of all three is not pleasant.

1. Third Brake Light -- This has been replaced twice now. I read in a thread that there are clips in the assembly that might be causing the rattle, so this will be looked at again when I take her back in. Can anyone else verify this?

2. To the left of the Instrument Cluster, behind the AC Vent -- This one comes and goes whenever it feels like it, and I have had a hard time being able to replicate it with the dealer. Having said that, last time I was in, I said, "Look, there is a rattle coming from behind this point, and it sounds like some loose clips, or something sharp." There response was, "Listen, we don't want to tear open the dash and be unable to locate the problem and potentially cause more problems." Understood, so it's on hold, but has anyone else had a rattle coming from the same area?

3. Driver Side Window Glass -- This, like the AC Vent, comes and goes. Sometimes it seems like the glass has a good hold and doesn't move up and down, and on some days, it does just that -- up and down, shuttering over any little bump in the road. Occasionally, the passenger side glass does the same but this is much more subtle. It's very annoying since my ear is right there. Dealer suggested a new seal, which, they admitted, might cause more problems since the seal wraps around the entire door and is a fairly complex problem. In my opinion, it sounds like the glass isn't sitting tightly within the motor, rather than it being a top window seal problem. Has anyone else had a similar problem or can advise me on this subject?

I appreciate all your replies. On certain days when the windows are up, it's not the most fun to deal with and is really embarrassing when a friend hops in and notes rattles OVER the sound of the engine and exhaust behind us. It can be that loud.

Also, understood that it seems like the dealer is trying to not do the work, but I think I've encouraged them a bit to take the steps necessary as to not cause more problems.

Thanks in advance,
soho

[harrison]

I hope you find a dealer that will work for you.Your warranty allows you to have your work done at dealer of your choice.How happy would a dealer be, to fix problems another dealer caused?? Probably LIKE it, since it means more hours and pay for their employees.GOOD luck, I have one tiny high speed rattle that is still bugging me. I'll apply tape to the plastic piece behind side glass (I tend to think of this piece as a wind brake).Test and report.The loose breather hose below car is not a noise-maker. The Third light sure can be a problem. I'm on my fourth lite and all is well there (I think). If I can just get rid of that rattle on mine, I'll be GOLDEN.

[maegeri]

I believe the the brake light has a recall code of the kind that comes into effect if the customer has a problem with it. Has the dealer done the recall work as well as replaced it?

Nothing is more irritating than a rattle and to have 3 is beyond tolerable in such an expensive car. Either change dealerships or ask your dealer to fly someone in to fix the car. Does the tech hear the 2nd rattle behind the AC? If he hears it and won't try to fix it, then you've got to find someone else. Don't tolerate bad service.

[Radius8]

Can't the techs take a borescope and take a peek in the vent hole without taking the dash apart? May be something fell into the vent.

[v10r8]

I had a rattle problem too (V10)... dealer replaced the fuel line to the left of my head and the noise is gone.

[Moggy]

I've a squeak/rattle that seems to be coming from behind the seats. Anyone else had a rattle from there?

[soho]

So, it's been a month. The dealership is still working through the rattles. They've completed every TSB under the sun. The next step is to have a rep come in and look at the car.

1. The noise that was coming from the rear could not be concluded as third brake light related. It was less a rattle so much as a squeak. After going through every thread on this forum, I came across some mention of the CF engine compartment trim rubbing against each other. While we could duplicate the noise by moving the trim, it didn't seem likely that it could be heard through the glass at the level actually being heard while driving. We elected to put felt in the area of the CF rubbing AND replace the third brake light. Thus far, it seems that it worked but I have not taken the car out for more than a 10 mile test drive before returning it to the dealer.

2. For the noise in the instrument cluster, there was a TSB that had them open up a panel and add felt in certain areas. I didn't hear anything from the area on my test drive, but this rattle comes and goes as it pleases.

3. This is the tough one. The tech has tried a few things and completed TSBs that include removing the door panel to tighten the window regulator, and adding felt to the harness above the headliner and behind the seats. Unfortunately, the rattle that is directly at my ear is worse than before. It only occurs over bumps, but is a very loud sound that includes plastic hitting metal combined with the sound of a window shudder.

Will keep you updated, but it's getting ridiculous. I don't want my entire car torn apart and put back together to do this, but I don't know what other recourse I have.

[maegeri]

Have you tried removing the tire repair kit to make sure the noise isn't coming from the individual parts there?

[Moggy]

1. The noise that was coming from the rear could not be concluded as third brake light related. It was less a rattle so much as a squeak. After going through every thread on this forum, I came across some mention of the CF engine compartment trim rubbing against each other. While we could duplicate the noise by moving the trim, it didn't seem likely that it could be heard through the glass at the level actually being heard while driving. We elected to put felt in the area of the CF rubbing AND replace the third brake light. Thus far, it seems that it worked but I have not taken the car out for more than a 10 mile test drive before returning it to the dealer.

This was my thought for my rattle/squeak as well. I applied silicone grease using a spray can until the noise couldn't be reproduced by hand. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to make a difference once I got going again.

For now I'm holding off doing anything more. The whole engine compartment is going to be dismantled when the supercharger is installed. I'll mention the problem when I go in for that and hopefully it'll all get sorted out at the same time.

The good news is that my brakes don't squeal any more. I really must finish breaking in. Maybe a few more runs down to Harris Ranch for a steak?