Got my new vibe -- now a question about a rattle?

[E-Man]

Picked up my new vibe on friday dec 13. One question, when I am driving and I hit a bump, I sometimes hear a rattle from the rear compartment of the car. I am thinking that this is the rear cargo cover that can be lifted off -- its just made of reinforced plastic and I think it creaks a little from the bump. What do you all think? Does anyone have a similar noise or experience? Just as a note, I do not have a rear cargo mat -- I am thinking that this might quiet the noise.ThanksEd

[Shadow Realm]

If that is what it is, you can put a towel back there to hold the tie down straps and the eyelets etc... You should also make sure that the latches are in the lock position. If they're not then it could bounce up and down freely when you hit a bump. Also check to make sure that all your jack tools are in there proper place.Congratulations on your new Vibe. I love mine and I know you'll love yours too!!!

[vibe owner]

I travel a minefield of speed bumps every day. If I forget to lock the spare tire compartment I know about it on the first speed bump.

[Triton]

Congratulations on the new Vibe's! I also picked mine up December 14th. Love the car. No rattles as of yet except for the wheel locks my dealer gave me that were loose in a box in the glove compartment. Took care of that and now no more rattles. I have the rear cargo mat and I really like it. But, as was mentioned before, check inside the compartment under the access door in the hatch and also make sure that the hatch is locked down when it is closed. Happy driving to all!

[E-Man]

Well,Last night I took out the container that fits over the spare tire. The spare tire sits on some hard rubber bumpers so it does not rattle against the floor. I made sure the spare was tighted down. I then reinstalled the spare tire cover and tighted that down. I drove to work today and I think I some how made it worse. I then stopped and placed a couple of towels under the cover and then closed it -- this seemed to help a bit but a noise still exists -- I think it is just the combination of the rear of the car being open with all of that plastic. I am hoping a rear cargo mat will deaden the sounds. Any other suggestions out there???ed

[vibe owner]

1. Move the towel inside the spare tire compartment and use it to wrap any loose small items (straps, jack handle, etc).2. Check for loose items in the little access areas behind each tail light.3. Sit in back while someone else drives so you can zero in on the sound.I have the cargo carpet which helps noise slightly, but anything loose in the spare tire compartment will still rattle loud and clear.

[viBert]

Is it a thumping sound like the tailgate is open slightly?

[ragingfish]

Gotta be careful with the tailgate. It sometimes doesn't close properly. I was driving along and the "door open" light kept coming on and off, randomly, couldn't figure it out. The tailgate catches, bu doesn't completely close. Also, if you can't find the source, take it to the dealer, maybe something out of view is loose and rattling.

[E-Man]

I think it is the rear cargo lid that can be lifted up. When I hit a bump or some patched up pavement I hear the noise. I think I am going to get some little 3M foam pads to stick in the area. Hopefully this helps.Ed

[ragingfish]

Could it be the ENTIRE cargo store that is loose? Maybe even if the lid is snapped down, the entire unit isn't secured tightly enough to the car? Just a thought...

[E-Man]

Now another update on the rattles, actually I should say rattles now. Driving around today, the rattles just seem to have gotten worse. I pull the spare tire out and found a bolt with stripped threads just laying back there -- I am sure it was a rattle contributor but I still think there is more to it. The day I brought the car home I found three screws in the rear passenger side door handle (cup). The small compartment just behind the rear seats seemed to be loose also -- I will have to get out a socket wrench to trighten this one up. Also, on the way home I turned off the radio to listen for other noises -- I think the instruament pod is starting to rattle. I think I get more disappointed everytime I drive the car -- I had high hopes for the car because of the supposedly great NUMMI build quality. The dealership will be my last resort -- they always seem to cause more problems than they fix!Ed

[ragingfish]

Agreed e-man. Agreed. See post: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1973

[E-Man]

Now the next installment of the ever elusive rattle. I took out the rear cargo cover over the spare tire -- everything seems like it is okay. The small cargo area behind the front seats needed to be tightened down a little so I did that -- when doing this I also noticed that the three anchors back there are not tightened down all of the way -- there is movement -- is this how it is on everyone elses car? I drove it again -- the rattle or noise is still there. The 3M foam pads seem to help a bit -- but it is still there. An update in the 3 screws I found in the rear passenger door interior handle. When cleaning the car today I looked in the passenger side front inner fender and saw that there were three holes. I then went to the drivers side and saw that there were screws in these holes -- looks like the worker left them out -- so I installed them.Back to the rear rattle -- I think my only solution is going to be to Dynomat (sound absorption) on the floor under the spare tire and also a rear cargo mat.that ithappy holidaysed

[ragingfish]

No matter how much you tighten the bolts, the anchors will always move. It is supposed to be that way.Don't take this offensively, but I think you're nuts to spend so much money trying to fix a rattle when you aren't even sure where it's coming from! I can understand your resistance to going to the dealer, but maybe it's just time to let them take a crack at it, before you go and spend money on another theory that may or may not work.

[NovaResource]

quote:The small cargo area behind the front seats needed to be tightened down a little so I did thatBehind the front seats? Do you mean behind the rear seats?quote:when doing this I also noticed that the three anchors back there are not tightened down all of the way -- there is movement -- is this how it is on everyone elses car?Yes, they are supposed to move.

[E-Man]

Now another update on the rattle.The rattle or rattles I was most concerned with was coming from the rear of the car - whenever I drove on concrete with expansion joints or any type of broken pavement the rear of the vehicle rattled. It sounded like it was a combination of the hatch and cargo floor. I checked the cargo floor several times and made sure everything was tight.I took it to the dealer today. They tightened up the rear right strut - center nut because it was loose. They also ordered a rear multi-purpose mat for the rear organizer per bulletin 02-08-110-007. I am thinking that this is some type of sound deadening patch that goes under the spare tire to help reduce noise. I will have to see when I get that installed. On the drive home the tightened strut nut did not seem to help the noise.I must say, so far I am somewhat disappointed in the car. In this price range I expected more sound dampening and a quieter car. So has anyone else experiencing any types of noises or rattles coming from the rear of car -- more so the rear cargo area?Ed

[ragingfish]

I do have concerns about my car, but thankfully, no rattles! At least none that are frequent or loud enought to bug me...yet...knock on wood.