The Rattle Battle
#1
Rookie
Thread Starter
The Rattle Battle
I have 2020 ES350 at about 17,000 miles. I have since about 5,00 miles had this rattle which is more like an audible vibration from right above the instrument cluster. 3 trips to dealer first 2 were cannot replicate. Third time they found it and insulated driver dash speaker. Driving home was quiet as a mouse. Now 2 days later it's back with a vengeance. When I press down on the dash right above the instrument cluster it stops. Any ideas???
#2
I think I have the same rattle and I hate it. It stops when I press the lower part od the A pillar.
#3
I had a rattle on my previous 2021 es300h from a similar area it was somewhere between driver speaker area of the dash and drivers door. Car was at the dealer for a week and they couldn’t fix it. I ended up selling the car because couldn’t tolerate the rattle especially on a hybrid car thats quiet. My new es350 doesn’t have rattle yet (knock on wood)
#4
I would see if I could take the service rider for a ride and point the noise out to him. Then I think I would ask them to try and fix it and in the process reassemble everything with felt tape at all touching surfaces. And depending on how fed up I was I would probably offer to pay an hour of their shop time.
#5
Lexus Test Driver
I have the same rattle under that top leather piece above the instrument cluster. it's only at very low RPMs with load (the strongest area of engine vibration) so only a very narrow window which it happens as the engine goes up in RPMs, there's no more vibration and thus no more rattle. so happens like a split second, and only at certain times. like between 10-15 mph. so i haven't bothered to look at it. I bet that top leather piece comes off easily and i'll bet there's some plastic under there to dampen. i'll check it out one of these days.
#6
I tried to remove the leather cover but it is very complicated.
#7
Lexus Test Driver
on my CT200h, that part came out easily. i'll see if i can look up some info
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#8
Rookie
Thread Starter
I have the same rattle under that top leather piece above the instrument cluster. it's only at very low RPMs with load (the strongest area of engine vibration) so only a very narrow window which it happens as the engine goes up in RPMs, there's no more vibration and thus no more rattle. so happens like a split second, and only at certain times. like between 10-15 mph. so i haven't bothered to look at it. I bet that top leather piece comes off easily and i'll bet there's some plastic under there to dampen. i'll check it out one of these days.
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LexFinally (03-21-22)
#9
Lexus Test Driver
I'll check out my dash speaker. i replaced it w/ aftermarket. but if yours did it stock and mine did it aftermarket, not sure.
#10
Rookie
Thread Starter
Just FYI rattle is back so you dont waste your time. Taking it back in and telling them to focus on learher piece and whats under right above instrument cluster.
#11
Lexus Test Driver
yeah figured.. lol. guessing it's how that leather piece fits / clips into the dash structure. i'm guessing there's some loose tolerance there.
#12
Lexus Test Driver
Look at the directions of the clips. the piece pulls towards you. This is how i envisioned it to be. i was right. i'll poke around later and post a DIY if i am able to figure it out.
I'll bet the top of that panel resonates against the flat top of the plastic dash piece.
I'll bet the top of that panel resonates against the flat top of the plastic dash piece.
#13
Rookie
Thread Starter
#15
Lexus Test Driver
Tried it. Turns out that piece just pulls forward with easy finger pressure. start at the edge by the windshield using your fingertips and pull it towards you. it pops off. the silver/aluminum looking trim pieces on the right side (the long one) and the left side (vent one) pop off partially to allow the leather panel room to wiggle out. I wish i had foam pieces to stick on (ideally soft foam so it could compress) but i just used insulation tape (very furry kind) and put it everywhere basically. you'll see there is basically two flat pieces of plastic sandwiched together so I see how they can rattle. I do not know if my fix did anything yet. i'll test drive it later. If it still rattles I'll try to find some stick on foam somewhere.