Dashboard Creaking / Noises

**Barracuda** · 17-04-2013, 03:26 PM

I find that whenever I'm driving on a slightly bumpy road or drive over a part of the road that has been patched there seems to be a slight creaking noise coming from around the dash, in particular the RCD510 area. It's hard to describe the sound, but if you apply pressure to your Polo's dashboard and you hear that kind of plastic moving sound - It sounds exactly like that. I'm sure people know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, I asked the dealer to look at it and they insulated around the AC head unit and that seemed to make it slightly better, but I'm certain I can still hear it from around the RCD510. Is there any way to remove that fascia plastic and tighten some screws that hold the RCD510 in place or any other suggestions to how to get rid of these noises? I'm always careful to avoid potholes, parking in direct sunlight, going over speed bumps too fast, etc... All those things that can lead to rattles / noises.

Thanks in advance!

**ATYPIC** · 17-04-2013, 03:42 PM

I also have a dash vibration in the middle where it meets the windscreen. Its worse in summer when the dash heats up after the car has been sitting in the sun. If I push outwards on the windscreen with my hand it stops but comes back when I release.

Very annoying so I turn up the radio full blast.

**alexaescht** · 17-04-2013, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by ATYPIC

I also have a dash vibration in the middle where it meets the windscreen. Its worse in summer when the dash heats up after the car has been sitting in the sun. If I push outwards on the windscreen with my hand it stops but comes back when I release.

Very annoying so I turn up the radio full blast.

I've seen some people stuff thin squares of foam between the dash and windscreen to stop vibrations like that. Might help but I don't know.

**The One** · 17-04-2013, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Barracuda

I find that whenever I'm driving on a slightly bumpy road or drive over a part of the road that has been patched there seems to be a slight creaking noise coming from around the dash, in particular the RCD510 area. It's hard to describe the sound, but if you apply pressure to your Polo's dashboard and you hear that kind of plastic moving sound - It sounds exactly like that. I'm sure people know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, I asked the dealer to look at it and they insulated around the AC head unit and that seemed to make it slightly better, but I'm certain I can still hear it from around the RCD510. Is there any way to remove that fascia plastic and tighten some screws that hold the RCD510 in place or any other suggestions to how to get rid of these noises? I'm always careful to avoid potholes, parking in direct sunlight, going over speed bumps too fast, etc... All those things that can lead to rattles / noises.

Thanks in advance!

Get a plastic wedge or a flat head screwdriver (wrap the head in a cloth) and lever off the trim around the RCD, it's just clipped in, pull it off and there will be 4 screws torx 20 that you can tighten, if it was me I'd remove the RCD first and inspect anything that could be making that noise before I do anything..

**gavs** · 17-04-2013, 09:23 PM

Just remember not to over tighten the screws and strip the plastic, otherwise your always going to have squeaks and rattles...

**jayc29u** · 17-04-2013, 10:05 PM

I've managed to locate one of my creaks in my dashboard. Its located on the passenger side, right next to the air vent. I have no idea what is making the noise. Driving along it creaks and squeaks but once pressure is applied it goes away. Haven't had the chance to go to the dealers to get it fixed but I might just get them to fix all the creaks/squeaks coming from my car at the 15,000.

Also have another one coming from the drivers side footwell (so it seems). Not sure what this one is but my wild guess would be the fuel lines as everyone else has had rattle noises from them.

**pontiff** · 18-04-2013, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by gavs

Just remember not to over tighten the screws and strip the plastic, otherwise your always going to have squeaks and rattles...

cannot stress that enough ... tighter is often not better

... and you end up snapping things.. I have a set of rubber washers that i often use for this sort of thing too (10 from aldi at some stage), probably makes no difference at all, but makes me feel like its working if nothing else

**Barracuda** · 18-04-2013, 07:05 PM

I had the fuel line rattle fixed a while ago so it's not that. Also, I tried to pry the fascia around the RCD510 off from the little holes just above the air-con unit and it was really difficult. But I wasn't using much force as I didn't want to break anything. Does it require quite a bit of pressure to pull off? Any other tips I'm how to remove it easily? Is it possible to insulate around the RCD? Or should I leave it to the dealer

**TSI_Dan** · 19-04-2013, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by Barracuda

I had the fuel line rattle fixed a while ago so it's not that. Also, I tried to pry the fascia around the RCD510 off from the little holes just above the air-con unit and it was really difficult. But I wasn't using much force as I didn't want to break anything. Does it require quite a bit of pressure to pull off? Any other tips I'm how to remove it easily? Is it possible to insulate around the RCD? Or should I leave it to the dealer

I took mine off recently to fit my RCD510. Just start at the top right next to the media button (approx) and use a blunt butter knife wrapped about 4 times in glad wrap. Once you pop that side off go to the left hand side, then back to the right and vice versa as you work down the fascia. This puts less pressure on the clips and prevents you from cracking something.

**Barracuda** · 19-04-2013, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by TSI_Dan

I took mine off recently to fit my RCD510. Just start at the top right next to the media button (approx) and use a blunt butter knife wrapped about 4 times in glad wrap. Once you pop that side off go to the left hand side, then back to the right and vice versa as you work down the fascia. This puts less pressure on the clips and prevents you from cracking something.

Awesome! Thanks heaps, Dan!