Ok, so I took my 8 into the dealer this past Friday to get somethings worked out, 2 of them being rattles

One rattle comes from the drivers side airbag cover on the steering wheel when I reach about 60mph. Of course they couldn't recreate that one so it wasn't fixed, but that one is tolerable. The one I CAN'T STAND is the rattle/pinging sound I hear from my rear window area. I told the service department about this to which they applied some sort of foam material to the area they think it was coming from. My receipt from the dealer said something along the lines of "applied foam gel to rear window area, problem fixed FOR NOW" ...wtf? FOR NOW?

Anyway, I took it off the lot and sure enough, it's still there. It maybe a little less now with the foam material but it's definitely still noticeable. It is the most annoying rattle I've ever had in a car, mostly because it's ALWAYS there even when I'm only slightely moving. I think other people have the same problem but still there is no solution except for applying foam material to areas where they "think" it's coming from.

Any ideas/solutions?

 

Hi!!

I am sorry to hear your incident and I just wanna tell you that, you are not alone.... I own a RX-8 too! and it rattles as much as yours does if not worse. The solution that I took which you may not to hear, is that I have all the interior removed. Yes! all! except the dash. Then, I stuffed a lot of foam spunch (10mm in thickness and 5mm for very thin areas). Even the door panels, I haves used some thin self adhesive spunch materials (3mm in thickness and 20mm in width) to type around the edges. You see, our car for some reason, use a lot of hard plastic..! So they rattle like hell as our car get aged. This is the only part I dislike my car the most...but now they are all fixed. Incase you always hear rattles that you think is from the rear or side or eveywhere, try to lub the sunroof seal. Yes! it is from there and I swear it will work!! Why? Because I strip down the whole car and I could still hear the rattle until I press hard against the sunroof.

So I hope my suggestion will help and I am sorry to say is rather a hard job. I recommaded you to DIY because none of the after market guys will do a proper job then your self. At the end of the day, you know where the noises are rite?

Good Luck!

 

Wow, that seems like a lot of work, haha

Unfortunately, I don't have a sunroof in my 8 (no Touring package, just Sport) so I know it can't be that. I've had about 3 people sit back there, including myself, and we all agree that it sounds like it's coming from the rear window or just above it.

Although, if it gets any worse, I might have to do some foam work myself.

Thanks for the suggestion though!!

 

arh har! speaking about the rear window....I have mine changed because of the bloody rattle and luckly was factory warrenty! Yeah! I think better off do some DIY for your car before you becoming dislike it! I took me one full day and I think its worth it. :D