Mazda 5 dash noises

[gfdtmaz5]

Has anyone experienced a clacking sound from their dash?
Mine seems to be cold weather related but I can't tell if it's just the dash components or loose wires. The clacking sound is evident when driving over mild bumbs or worse.
2008 mazda 5 GT

 

[skyhawk]

I think I've noticed it too. mine is a rattling sound almost like a small object bouncing off a plastic surface at a high rate. My camera (mounted in the dash) is able to record this 'noise'. I plan to check it out after winter.

 

[Phratt]

My service guy at Mazda said to expect that cracking sound.

Once I get the sound, he said to take an appointment, they will unglue the windshield and glue it back. This should resolve the problem. Seems there are some pins or such that need to be cut off under the windshield. Free of charge - cold related... go in while it's cold !

 

[doctorz]

FWIW, replacing a cracked windshield did nothing to stop the noise.

 

[gfdtmaz5]

Seems I've hit on something here...

I'll check it out more closely in the next week or so and see if I can locate it.
I too thought it might be the windshield but I'll press on parts of the dash while someone else drives and see what I get. I have pretty good ears being into sound for a living so once my head (ears) are close to the source I should know better, hopefully. I'll bring this up with a dealer also and post the results.
I find it quite sharp sounding sometimes and it can really get your attention, so that implies to me that it may be something under tension. ie; dash components fit - which would change and beccome more of an issue in the cold. Could be windsheild also since that too is under flex tension.

I wouldn't bring it into a dealer in the cold as they would likely break something and not tell you, then we would be worse off than before.

If anyone knows for sure, please post! I'm determined to fix this!!

Thanks,
G

 

[Dellerane]

I've encountered the same thing, it's like the windshield or dash is creaking when going over bumps... I found this post awhile ago here someplace and had copied it to save for when I get a chance to try and fix it. This is what the other poster wrote:

Don't even waste your time screwing around with a dealer to fix that. Go to Lowe's and buy some of the double-sided tape pad. If you get inside the engine bay the rubber along the plastic comes off easily. Turn a few screws, pop the plastic up, put the padded tape on, reverse, fixed. You can also use the fuzzy half of velcro to fix it. I've done it with both on two different 5's. My car has the padded tape and the problem is over. That crap bugged me so bad I wanted to ship the 5 to Japan and drive it throught the front window of the Mazda factory and mow everyone down in sight. I don't worry about that anymore.


It sounds like he is talking about the plastic on the lower half of the windshield but on the outside instead of the dashboard...

 

[gfdtmaz5]

Wow, that was my very first thought a year ago but I said "nah, can't be that". I hope your right, that would be an easy fix!

Some very thin self adhesive felt might also do the job.?

I'll explore that next and get back to all.

I can relate to the frustration, I would have joined you if we couldn't fix this!!LOL ...well at least through Mazda Canada's building

Thanks, G

 

[Phratt]

FWIW, replacing a cracked windshield did nothing to stop the noise.

Did they modify the tabs holding the windshield?

 

[Dellerane]

Ok, yesterday I gave my 5 a bath and decided to mess around with the windshield. I loosened the plastic that runs along the bottom of the windshield and then placed some pieces of the fuzzy side of velcro underneath it and repositioned the plastic.

It seems to have helped a great deal so I'm thinking that is indeed where the noise is coming from. I heard only a few creaks when I drove today. My thinking is that when the weather gets warmer and I have more time I am going to totally remove that plastic piece and place something underneath it the whole length, including the corner pieces and that should solve the issue. Heck I'm thinking that even a bead of silicone along the edge would help, if the windshield ever needs to be replaced they can always score the edge of the silicone to free the plastic shield.

Mazda should take note and place a rubber gasket or something along that plastic shield to quiet the noises that folks have encountered. The dealer wanted to tear the dash out and even said that if they had to do that the dash might not go back in 100%.

 

[schokie]

There have been numerous posts about this already. Other people have called it cowl creak. My 08 has it too but haven't tried a fix yet.

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123738679
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123662211
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123726913