Rattling RPM gauge cowling / plastic chrome trim (pic inside)

**Foxtrot Oscar** · 18-05-2010, 07:30 PM

Hi all

I have an annoying buzzing sound coming from the RPM gauge in my car. It only happens on rougher road surfaces, but it's annoying me enough to want to sort it out.

The car is very much in warranty, but I'm reluctant to let VW have a go at something like this as in my experience, the car will come back with more rattles than it went in with as well as scratches all over the dash from over exuberant wielding of the screwdriver.

The rattling / buzzing stops if I press anywhere on the silver trim, shown by the arrow. Does anyone have any clever tactics to help me stop this buzzing? Is the silver / chrome effect trim removable, or is it a fixed part of the dial?

Many thanks for any tips as to how I can solve this problem.

**Maverick** · 18-05-2010, 07:42 PM

Best to take it to the dealer, they shouldn't be using screwdrivers but the appropriate trim removal tools to fix the problem. If you attempt to fix the problem and can't and they can see you've been stuffing around they will charge you for the full cost of the repairs. Take some photos before you take the car in if you're that worried about it and make sure you take the foreman for a drive to show them the problem.

**Foxtrot Oscar** · 18-05-2010, 08:18 PM

Thank you for your reply.

However, please can we assume for the sake of this thread and my own knowledge / curiosity, that the car cannot be fixed under warranty.

I just literally want to know

- If the silver bit comes off and if so, how.
- Any clever rattle-preventing tricks that I could try, if I were that way inclined!

Once I have this information I will decide how to proceed.

Thanks again.

**Corey_R** · 18-05-2010, 08:22 PM

If you're going to fix it yourself, nothing beats superglue! Parts can't rattle if they're firmly fixed to each other.

Having said that - I agree with Maverick

**G-rig** · 18-05-2010, 08:34 PM

I'd just take it back and get them to fix it. Pretty annoying and may take a few trips there before they get it most likely.

I've noticed those speedo surrounds move very slighly if you preds on them so maybe it would go away if you press them a bit?

**hoi polloi** · 18-05-2010, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by coreying

If you're going to fix it yourself, nothing beats superglue! Parts can't rattle if they're firmly fixed to each other....

On a related suggestion I'd try a small amount of thread locker like Loctite or similar (if you have no joy with the dealer)... Unlike superglue excess can be wiped away and if the parts have to come apart again in the future, they can be taken apart...

Regards,
- Anthony.

p.s. OMG - you've not used your trip meter in almost 7,500 miles

**G-rig** · 18-05-2010, 08:51 PM

Yeah superglue is nasty and stains if you get it on the wrong area.

Don't really get where you'd glue though, sounds like you need to wedge something in.

**Foxtrot Oscar** · 18-05-2010, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by G-rig

I've noticed those speedo surrounds move very slighly if you preds on them so maybe it would go away if you press them a bit?

I wondered if clicking it into place properly would be all that was required to sort it, but I've tried using a fair amount of pressure all around the ring and nothing changed, no sounds of lugs engaging with clips etc.

Originally Posted by hoi polloi

On a related suggestion I'd try a small amount of thread locker like Loctite or similar (if you have no joy with the dealer)... Unlike superglue excess can be wiped away and if the parts have to come apart again in the future, they can be taken apart...

Regards,
- Anthony.

p.s. OMG - you've not used your trip meter in almost 7,500 miles

Thanks for that Anthony, Locktite certainly does sound preferable to superglue! Inevitably with superglue I'd spaz out and end up with it all over the dash.

And yes. I haven't reset my trip meter for a fair while

. Must get that manual out as I don't even know how to do it

.

Originally Posted by G-rig

Yeah superglue is nasty and stains if you get it on the wrong area.

Don't really get where you'd glue though, sounds like you need to wedge something in.

There's a very tiny gap so not really enough to wedge anything in there. I'm convinved the ring pops on / off, as it feels fairly loose against the black plastic surround. I was hoping someone would say it just unclips, then I could line it with foam or something. However, it may just be a badly made unit, in which case warranty swap is my only real option.

**Corey_R** · 18-05-2010, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by G-rig

Yeah superglue is nasty and stains if you get it on the wrong area.

Don't really get where you'd glue though, sounds like you need to wedge something in.

Yeah - back when my Dad was around, he used to use a superglue which had a metal needle nosle, which would let him put it in the joins/gaps in the dashboards of his cars (VL Commodores, Ford Fairmonts of the early 90s, etc).

Threadlock is a great idea though