Rattling from the steering wheel
10-09-2009, 04:31 PM
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Rattling from the steering wheel
Lately, Ive been driving and theres this really annoying rattle coming from my steering wheel. Even when the roads are perfect i can hear it rattle. Anyone know what it could be or can help me fix this problem, greatly appreciated!
By the way, for those of you who are warming up your flame throwers, already searched and nothing....
By the way, for those of you who are warming up your flame throwers, already searched and nothing....
10-12-2009, 07:51 AM
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you might check the horn/airbag. while you are hearing the rattling, push up on the sides. that stops the rattling for me. there is a TSB for 2004's with rattling airbags but i have the same problem with my 2005. haven't taken the time to fix it yet but the TSB explains it all (assuming that it is your airbag/horn)
Last edited by mbentley; 10-12-2009 at 07:55 AM.
10-12-2009, 08:35 AM
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I've gotten this rattle too, and whenever I pull up (or push down on) the horn cover, it goes away temporarily.
I'm half thinking to put some 3M tape under one edge to buffer it from the vibrations (like, on the inside edge), anyone got any opinions on this? I highly doubt it would affect the airbag mechanics, since it's just a little piece of 3M tape.
*edit* I know of the TSB, but it seems like quite a bit of effort that could be solved just by having something that absorbs the vibrations (which is what that little piece of fabric under the horn device/airbag does in the TSB)
I'm half thinking to put some 3M tape under one edge to buffer it from the vibrations (like, on the inside edge), anyone got any opinions on this? I highly doubt it would affect the airbag mechanics, since it's just a little piece of 3M tape.
*edit* I know of the TSB, but it seems like quite a bit of effort that could be solved just by having something that absorbs the vibrations (which is what that little piece of fabric under the horn device/airbag does in the TSB)
10-14-2009, 05:23 PM
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I have the same issue when im driving on the highway, if i press down on the horn (not enough to honk it) the noise goes away. The TSB seems like a lot of trouble. I like the idea that JinDesu has. Jin let us know if you find any simple solutions.
10-14-2009, 05:35 PM
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i get the noise where ever i drive. and i noticed it 2 days ago and i noticed that from time to time my steering wheel has a squeaky noise when i turn. so yea. gotta find an easy way to fix this.
10-14-2009, 07:43 PM
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Thanks for all your insight. I don't have my bumper to bumper warranty anymore, so I took it to the dealer after i couldn't figure it out after taking apart my steering wheel. Turns out the rattling is coming from the steering wheel horn mount, and they quoted me $104.00. Kind of sucks for it to cost that much, but i'd rather have no rattle than rattle so i might do it.
10-14-2009, 07:43 PM
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I haven't had time to do my method yet, I'll try it out tomorrow. If it doesn't work, I'll take it apart the way Charles has described.
*edit* btw, I don't expect much success with my method if it's a loose airbag inside. However, I noticed that instead of pushing the cover down, when you pull on the cover a little bit it still silences the rattle. Which is where I got my idea from.
*edit* btw, I don't expect much success with my method if it's a loose airbag inside. However, I noticed that instead of pushing the cover down, when you pull on the cover a little bit it still silences the rattle. Which is where I got my idea from.
Last edited by JinDesu; 10-14-2009 at 07:47 PM.
10-14-2009, 11:04 PM
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10-15-2009, 10:38 AM
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i just took off the airbag exactly how CRH mentioned and i placed some soft cloth material to buffer where the two plastic posts are on the airbag as well as the round pad near the bottom center. you can see there where are stick on pieces to buffer the airbag unit and keep it from vibrating but they seems pretty thin.
reassembled everything and no more sound and i didn't pay the dealer for a quick fix
reassembled everything and no more sound and i didn't pay the dealer for a quick fix
10-15-2009, 10:43 AM
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sure. i'll see if i can put the steps together and snap some detailed pictures of what i did. i might not be able to get to it tonight as i have a bit going on but i should be able to get to it by saturday at the latest.
10-15-2009, 10:56 AM
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added step by step instructions with some basic pictures to the diy section:
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-fixing-airbag-rattling-vibration-184597/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-fixing-airbag-rattling-vibration-184597/
Last edited by mbentley; 10-15-2009 at 11:38 AM.
10-18-2009, 05:33 PM
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update: I followed the DIY thank you (mbently), but it got a little better, but theres still a slight rattle. I would hate to pay 104.00 for the horn steering mount like the dealer told me, or i might just live with it, and drown it out with music. thanks again to all for their thoughts
10-18-2009, 08:33 PM
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Btw, I finally managed to do the tape thing. It works for the steering wheel rattle, but it looks terrible. I'll try taking apart the steering wheel when I have time.
What I did for mine was take a piece of 3M tape, folded it to get thickness, then jammed it between the horn cover and the wheel on the top left section (the thinnest point). That effectively silenced the rattle... which let me hear the dash rattle and something behind me
What I did for mine was take a piece of 3M tape, folded it to get thickness, then jammed it between the horn cover and the wheel on the top left section (the thinnest point). That effectively silenced the rattle... which let me hear the dash rattle and something behind me
10-26-2009, 12:30 PM
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Finally got some time to do the temp fix I was talking about:
Took a bit of electrical tape, rolled it up into a tiny package, jammed it in there. No rattling ever since. I probably could get it to look a bit better, but honestly it's pretty hard to see unless you were looking for it.
Took a bit of electrical tape, rolled it up into a tiny package, jammed it in there. No rattling ever since. I probably could get it to look a bit better, but honestly it's pretty hard to see unless you were looking for it.