Rattle Is Driving Me $#$$@! Crazy

uglyb0b · January 5, 2008

hi all.

i have a 2006 silverado 1500 ext cab, 19k miles. recently a very annoying rattle has developed and seems to be coming somewhere from underneath or behind the driver dash. it does not occur on very smooth streets or > 50 or so MPH.

i have removed as much of the dash as i know how including the instrument panel, but could not find where it is coming from.

i have read all about the steering/intermediate steering shaft problem (with the greasing of the u joints), however it seems like people describe more of a "clunk" sound rather than a rattle; although at times i do also feel the clunk as well.

interestingly, when the rattle is occuring, ive found that if i give the steering wheel a solid whack it will quit for a short period of time.

has anyone had something similar to this, or can anyone offer any kind of insight on what it is/how to get rid of it? this rattle is totally driving me crazy, especially since i cannot find the source.

i am so desperate about this that i will feel obligated to give a reward to anyone who can help!

thanks in advance.

Jasonsupafly · January 5, 2008

may not help. but i had the same problem and could never figure what the noise was until the bolt feel out of my over head console.. screwed it back in and no more rattle.. just a thought...

Scramble · January 5, 2008

As the steering/intermediate shaft problem gets older/worse it's a more rapid clunk almost a rattle. Especially when turning, but nothing on flat roads. Just what happened on mine.

I hope you find the problem before you shoot your dash.

unit731 · January 5, 2008

1990 Chevrolet 1500 Regular Cab 2WD Long Bed.

I recently replaced the instrument cluster lens. I bought a new one years ago from dealer with intentions of replacing the slightly scratched one when selling truck. I finally did this. And I found some change back there - coins. This model cluster has something like a small shelf and I used to put all sorts of stuff there. Well, coins slipped under.

You got any kids? Good friend passengers? Pranksters?

Anything could be back there. Something could have fallen into the defrost vents - heater. Coins, pens, you name it.

I was driving with some friends child and as I was driving I watched the kid actually try to push a pen into the heater vents. And I was there. What happens when you are not there?

$0.02

pjmmoore · January 5, 2008

Is the rattle something you can feel through the steering wheel?

uglyb0b · January 5, 2008

Is the rattle something you can feel through the steering wheel?

not at all. i do feel the clunk when it happens though.

may not help. but i had the same problem and could never figure what the noise was until the bolt feel out of my over head console.. screwed it back in and no more rattle.. just a thought...

where abouts is this bolt?

As the steering/intermediate shaft problem gets older/worse it's a more rapid clunk almost a rattle. Especially when turning, but nothing on flat roads. Just what happened on mine.

i was wondering that. i thought about having the dealer replace the shaft to cure the clunk problem and was wondering if it would fix the rattle in the process.

I recently replaced the instrument cluster lens. I bought a new one years ago from dealer with intentions of replacing the slightly scratched one when selling truck. I finally did this. And I found some change back there - coins. This model cluster has something like a small shelf and I used to put all sorts of stuff there. Well, coins slipped under.

i was wondering if something like this had happened which is why i pulled the dash apart. i may go back today and remove again including top part to see if i can see anything.

thanks to all, if anyone else has input i would love to hear it.

ws6_guy · January 5, 2008

My brake wiggles in my '05, its like a fast rattle sound, not loud but you can hear it, stops when you use the brake ofcoarse. Could be the same in your case, On a straight lumpy road keep monitoring your brake pedal see if it wiggles left to right. As for a fix, I dont know mines bolted up solid but still wiggles, my exhaust kills the sound of it though so its not much of a big deal anymore.

radtastic · January 5, 2008

I had some rattling a while back myself, and it took some second eyes, but mine was coming from under the dash. It was a piece of metal rattling. Upon the second look, there were a few vertical metal brackets under the dash that were missing some bolts. I taped it, but this reminds me, I'd like to take care of it for good, and put some bolts back on the brackets. They look like dash brakets, and are above the pedals, under the steering column. I'm not sure if this is your issue, but it couldn't hurt to look under there with a flashlight, just to check.