Rattle In Headliner On 2009 Silverado

[kendrickson]

Here is my problem: My headliner in my brand new Silverado occasionally has something rattling above it. It's actually right over my head, and even though it's not very loud, it bothers me since it is so close to my ears. If I touch the headliner with just the slightest pressure, the rattle stops. I am assuming it's just a wire bouncing around up there since the onstar module is in the same location. At first it was rattling frequently (almost every trip) but now it only does it once a week or so and usually only for a minute or two. My dilemma is this: Do I just let it go and hope it stops altogether, or do I take it to the dealer and risk them getting their oily hands all over my headliner, or pulling it down and not re-installing it properly. I hate to have the headliner damaged since it is perfect right now. So, should I take it it to the dealer, or should I wait and see if it stops (or stops enough for me to live with)?

[RyanbabZ71]

My 08 Tahoe did this. I kept pushing on the headliner on long trips when it would drive me crazy. It has since stopped (at least I dont hear it anymore). I was in the same boat as you scared to take it in because I knew it would never be the same and at least with the rattle it was clean, The 09 Silverado I test drove a few wks ago had the same rattle. Must be a wide spread flaw.

[C. Charles Hahn]

My '08 Sierra had this same problem when I first bought it. I took it to the dealer, who said that the headliner was making contact with the sheet metal on the underside of the cab roof (evidently something they'd seen before). They just dropped the headliner and added some padding between the two and the problem hasn't occurred since.

 

The dealer I went to did not leave ANY marks on the headliner (I actually saw them wearing clean latex gloves while working on it) and had no problems whatsoever getting it back into place properly. It's just held in with clips like the rest of the interior is, so it's really no big deal.

 

If you're worried about your dealer messing it up, just put them on notice that if they do they'll be replacing the headliner at their expense under warranty. That may motivate them to take the same precautions my dealer took with my truck.

[bcb1]

I had the same issue on my 2011 Tahoe, the headliner rattled right above and slightly behind the driver's head. The cause is the anti-flutter foam that they put in the roof beam support, sometimes it settles (or they don't use enough), and since the stuff is very sticky and tacky, you'll get a squeak/rattle noise.

 

The fix is to put stiff foam blocks in between the roof and the roof support beam. You can also add more anti flutter foam, but it's expensive, you need a special caulking gun to use it, and plain old foam blocks works just as well.

 

Unfortunately you have to drop the headliner to do it, but as the previous poster said, it's not a big deal. My GM dealer doesn't do any of their own interior work, they sub all of it out to a local auto upholstery shop. It took them 2 hours to drop my headliner and fix the rattle.

 

So I'd definitely recommend going to the dealer and having it fixed, from what I understand it's a fairly common issue.

[mc7719]

Document ID: 2017072 #PIT4340B: Roof Panel Flutters When Closing Doors - keywords block body

bow door flex foam flutter metal noise rattle roof sheet vibrates - (Sep 24, 2007)

 

Subject:

Roof Panel Flutters When Closing Doors

 

Models:

2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, ESV, EXT

2007-2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, Suburban, Tahoe

2007-2008 Silverado ( Crew Cab Models Only)

2007-2008 GMC Yukon, Yukon Denali, Yukon XL, Yukon Denali XL

2007-2008 GMC Sierra (Crew Cab Models Only)

 

This PI was superseded to update models and model years. Please discard PIT4340A.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

 

Condition/Concern:

Some customers may have a concern where the roof panel flutters when closing one of the front side

doors. This may be caused by the excessive motion of roof panel. On initial inspection, you may

notice that the roof panel expansion adhesive material has separated between the roof and the roof

bow. The concern is seen mostly on the first cross bow.

 

Recommendation/Instructions:

To repair the concern, insert stiff foam blocks between the roof panel and roof bow to "pre-load" roof

panel as show in the photo below.

 

Note: The protective foam block used on the doors of fullsize trucks during shipping from the

assembly plant can be used.

[RyanbabZ71]

My 08 still does this, seems to be worse when its colder out.

[scani6]

"My 08 still does this, seems to be worse when its colder out."

 

+1

[2016 Sierra Owner]

I had the same problem. I figured it was just the headliner vibrating. I took the dome light out stuffed a few plastic grocery bags around the whole and have not had the problem since.

[Dale_K]

I found the microphone for Onstar loose in the overhead area and clipping it back into place made a world of difference. That was on my Cruze, not my GMC but I think they're very similar.

[sap_man]

I'm battling this in my '09 Suburban. Becomes much worse when I slide open the sunroof cover (not opening the sunroof).

 

Sounds like a cable or something is bouncing in the roof somewhere. While under warranty, I took it to the dealer and they inserted "anti rattle foam". That cured the issue for a long time, but now, unfortunately, I'm out of the warranty period and it's back.

[GMCustomerService]

Have you been in contact with the dealer and let them know that this concern has returned? They may be able to assist you further being that this was once repaired under warranty. Keep me posted and feel free to contact me if you need additional assistance. Thank you.

 

Tricia, GM Customer Service.

 

I'm battling this in my '09 Suburban. Becomes much worse when I slide open the sunroof cover (not opening the sunroof).

 

Sounds like a cable or something is bouncing in the roof somewhere. While under warranty, I took it to the dealer and they inserted "anti rattle foam". That cured the issue for a long time, but now, unfortunately, I'm out of the warranty period and it's back.