2008 Sierra Problem With Rattle Noise

[BOBSLED]

2008 Sierra SLT Crew Z71 4X4 ... Purchased new.

 

"Rattle" problem since "day-one."

 

Problem: At low speeds on anything but a perfectly smooth road there is a noise that sounds like gravel rattling in a cardboard box. I cannot isolate the sound except that it it seems to be comming from the general floor area (not the dash). If the windows are open or the blower is on, the sound is extremely difficult to hear unless you know exactly what you are listening for. At normal highway speeds the sound is also covered by normal road noise.

 

At 2500 miles I took my truck to the dealer with the problem. I went with the mechanic for a test drive and he heard the sound too. The mechanic researched all tech bulletins and spent several hours checking for anything loose or rubbing that might be the source of the sound. (He was the one who described the noise as " ... a box with some gravel that someone kept tapping ... .") When I picked up my truck, I spoke with the mechanic. He told me that they found a few loose cables, wires, etc. that they secured, but that the sound was still there. He said that the vehicle was still "new and tight" and that the problem would probably either go away or get worse. I was "advised" on my invoice to drive the vehicle for another 5000 miles and then return to the dealer for another "look-see" after the truck had loosened up a bit more.

 

Mileage is currently at 4000 and the noise is still there ... neither better nor worse.

(Except for this annoying rattle, the truck runs great ... 20 mpg on the highway and it handles like a dream ... off-road the suspension works great. If it weren't for the noise, this truck would be "perfect.")

 

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Please send any comments or suggestions to my email address:

[email protected]

 

 

Thank you ... BT

[JNG3]

Check your hood. I had the exact same problem with my '08 Sierra. The hood latch was not pulling the hood down far enough. And no, adjusting the bump stops has no effect on this. You will have to pull the latch and bend the alignment/locating tab in and re-install the latch in a LOWER position. Gently but firmly push down on your hood in the front directly over the latch when your hood is closed. If it clunks and has a small amount of movement vertically, then that is your problem.

[BOBSLED]

Check your hood. I had the exact same problem with my '08 Sierra. The hood latch was not pulling the hood down far enough. And no, adjusting the bump stops has no effect on this. You will have to pull the latch and bend the alignment/locating tab in and re-install the latch in a LOWER position. Gently but firmly push down on your hood in the front directly over the latch when your hood is closed. If it clunks and has a small amount of movement vertically, then that is your problem.

 

 

Thanks ... I'm pretty sure the noise is coming from underneath the vehicle, but I'll try anything.

 

I just did a quick fix with a piece of electrical tape wrapped around the "u" shaped metal piece on the hood that secures into the latch. There was a little bit of

play before I did this ... now it fits with absolutely no movement at all. I'll give it a test drive later today and let you know the results.

 

(Also under the hood in the past I did fix the loose coolant overflow tank with a piece of foam rubber ... and last nite I found another noise source underneath the vehicle just to the front of the gas tank ... that rectangular plastic box that sits in a metal bracket was loose and was rocking back and forth in the bracket. I fixed this with two pieces of foam rubber to take up any slack).

 

Thanks again ... I need all the help I can get : ).

 

BT

[RVJ]

My 08 Sierra had the weirdest rattle when in V4 mode. I found the cover mounted on the side of the tranny was creating a harmonic rattle so I bent it a little bit away and that noise went away. I also found that the cover which mounts in the 2 rubber grommets on top of the engine was vibrating and rattling on a wire harness that was right beneath it. I moved stuff around and used wire ties to secure things and all the rattle vibrations are gone now.

[BOBSLED]

My 08 Sierra had the weirdest rattle when in V4 mode. I found the cover mounted on the side of the tranny was creating a harmonic rattle so I bent it a little bit away and that noise went away. I also found that the cover which mounts in the 2 rubber grommets on top of the engine was vibrating and rattling on a wire harness that was right beneath it. I moved stuff around and used wire ties to secure things and all the rattle vibrations are gone now.

 

 

 

Thanks ...

 

 

I just got back from my test drive ... no luck ... the hood fix and the one in front of the gas tank that I did last nite were of no avail ....

 

... and the tranny thing isn't a problem (at least not yet ... I'll definitely keep it in mind).

 

I'm gonna' take the truck over to CO next week and bounce it around in the mountains a bit. Maybe I can shake something loose that the mechanic can grab on to.

 

I'm trying not to get too bent out of shape about the problem, but it is starting to naaaagggg on me a bit. I just went through a "nasty" buy-back with my 2006 Duramax and I'm not looking forward to running the gauntlet again. I'm really happy with this '08 1500 Sierra 5.3 L gas burner, (20 mpg on the last 800 mile round trip from AZ (5300 ft) to Colorado (7500 ft) and back). I've got no other complaints except for this blasted rattle, creak or whatever.

 

Any and all suggestion are still very much appreciated ... I am bound and determined to solve this !!!

 

 

BT

[JNG3]

Rattles/clunks/creaks can be very annoying. I'm starting to believe that US cars/trucks are turning into the H/D's of the late 70's early 80's.

[RVJ]

I think a rattle is rare in these new trucks. Mine is solid and rattle free. I find it hard to believe a comparison was made to a HD of the AMF era.

[slimjim2525]

Mine is completely rattle free, I love it.

[BOBSLED]

Mine is completely rattle free, I love it.

 

 

FINALLY ....

 

I was able to fix the rattle problem.

 

Even though the sound seemed to be coming from beneath, the noise was actually coming from the 2" weather-stripping that runs along the top of the doors. By pressing on the tops of doors from the outside, the rattle sound could be duplicated.

 

I cleaned/lubricated the weather stripping along its full length on both sides with ArmorAll. The sound is completely gone.

 

I discovered the solution while researching noises on the Edmunds Fourm ... http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX?ed_s...se&count=20

 

I feel like I'm driving a new truck ... Luvin' it !!! (Especially the 21.3 mpg I just got on an 800 mile round trip, AZ to CO and back ... this 5.3L is a honey of engine).

 

BT

[rvsahs]

Mine is completely rattle free, I love it.

 

 

FINALLY ....

 

I was able to fix the rattle problem.

 

Even though the sound seemed to be coming from beneath, the noise was actually coming from the 2" weather-stripping that runs along the top of the doors. By pressing on the tops of doors from the outside, the rattle sound could be duplicated.

 

I cleaned/lubricated the weather stripping along its full length on both sides with ArmorAll. The sound is completely gone.

 

I discovered the solution while researching noises on the Edmunds Fourm ... http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX?ed_s...se&count=20

 

I feel like I'm driving a new truck ... Luvin' it !!! (Especially the 21.3 mpg I just got on an 800 mile round trip, AZ to CO and back ... this 5.3L is a honey of engine).

 

BT

 

 

Great, glad you solved the problem! Another satisfied customer!

[kurtfe]

Mine is completely rattle free, I love it.

 

 

FINALLY ....

 

I was able to fix the rattle problem.

 

Even though the sound seemed to be coming from beneath, the noise was actually coming from the 2" weather-stripping that runs along the top of the doors. By pressing on the tops of doors from the outside, the rattle sound could be duplicated.

 

I cleaned/lubricated the weather stripping along its full length on both sides with ArmorAll. The sound is completely gone.

 

I discovered the solution while researching noises on the Edmunds Fourm ... http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX?ed_s...se&count=20

 

I feel like I'm driving a new truck ... Luvin' it !!! (Especially the 21.3 mpg I just got on an 800 mile round trip, AZ to CO and back ... this 5.3L is a honey of engine).

 

BT

 

 

Great, glad you solved the problem! Another satisfied customer!

 

 

 

I too have the same problem and I figured out it is the weather stripping.... I have cleaned mine numerous times with Armour ALL and Silcone Spray and Windex and Soap and Water... I have tried many things.. It does go away but it keeps coming back after a few days. Pleas let me know if you find a permanent fix.... It is driving me crazy.. at this point it is the only thing I hate about the truck...

 

 

 

THanks Kurt

[minibike132]

I too have the same problem and I figured out it is the weather stripping.... I have cleaned mine numerous times with Armour ALL and Silcone Spray and Windex and Soap and Water... I have tried many things.. It does go away but it keeps coming back after a few days. Pleas let me know if you find a permanent fix.... It is driving me crazy.. at this point it is the only thing I hate about the truck...

THanks Kurt

 

 

Welcome to the site Kurt, Armour All and Silicone spray wear off fast. Windex dries out the rubber and shortens life please do not use this or any petroleum based lubricants. Soap and water is fine but only to clean. Try a Silicone grease instead of the spray. You can brush it on, rub it into the rubber real good and wipe off the excess. This is good weather strip maintenance even if you don't have a noise so do any weatherstrips on the vehicle (excluding the strips on the glass). Here are some part numbers for you, if you can make it go away for a few days with what you have been using then paste should work for quite a while.

Goodwrench Dielectric Silicone Grease 12345579 (U.S.)10953481 (Canada) or

Goodwrench Weatherstrip Lubricant (Krytox)3634770 (U.S.)10953518 (Canada).

[paulnjackie]

Mine is completely rattle free, I love it.

 

 

FINALLY ....

 

I was able to fix the rattle problem.

 

Even though the sound seemed to be coming from beneath, the noise was actually coming from the 2" weather-stripping that runs along the top of the doors. By pressing on the tops of doors from the outside, the rattle sound could be duplicated.

 

I cleaned/lubricated the weather stripping along its full length on both sides with ArmorAll. The sound is completely gone.

 

I discovered the solution while researching noises on the Edmunds Fourm ... http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX?ed_s...se&count=20

 

I feel like I'm driving a new truck ... Luvin' it !!! (Especially the 21.3 mpg I just got on an 800 mile round trip, AZ to CO and back ... this 5.3L is a honey of engine).

 

BT

 

 

Great, glad you solved the problem! Another satisfied customer!

 

 

 

I too have the same problem and I figured out it is the weather stripping.... I have cleaned mine numerous times with Armour ALL and Silcone Spray and Windex and Soap and Water... I have tried many things.. It does go away but it keeps coming back after a few days. Pleas let me know if you find a permanent fix.... It is driving me crazy.. at this point it is the only thing I hate about the truck...

 

 

 

THanks Kurt

 

 

 

 

 

I found a tsb that sounds like it might match what you two are expriencing-06-08-64-035E installation of squeak reduction tape. I'm not sure though. but it sure seems to fit.

[kurtfe]

I too have the same problem and I figured out it is the weather stripping.... I have cleaned mine numerous times with Armour ALL and Silcone Spray and Windex and Soap and Water... I have tried many things.. It does go away but it keeps coming back after a few days. Pleas let me know if you find a permanent fix.... It is driving me crazy.. at this point it is the only thing I hate about the truck...

THanks Kurt

 

 

Welcome to the site Kurt, Armour All and Silicone spray wear off fast. Windex dries out the rubber and shortens life please do not use this or any petroleum based lubricants. Soap and water is fine but only to clean. Try a Silicone grease instead of the spray. You can brush it on, rub it into the rubber real good and wipe off the excess. This is good weather strip maintenance even if you don't have a noise so do any weatherstrips on the vehicle (excluding the strips on the glass). Here are some part numbers for you, if you can make it go away for a few days with what you have been using then paste should work for quite a while.

Goodwrench Dielectric Silicone Grease 12345579 (U.S.)10953481 (Canada) or

Goodwrench Weatherstrip Lubricant (Krytox)3634770 (U.S.)10953518 (Canada).

 

[kurtfe]

Mine is completely rattle free, I love it.

 

 

FINALLY ....

 

I was able to fix the rattle problem.

 

Even though the sound seemed to be coming from beneath, the noise was actually coming from the 2" weather-stripping that runs along the top of the doors. By pressing on the tops of doors from the outside, the rattle sound could be duplicated.

 

I cleaned/lubricated the weather stripping along its full length on both sides with ArmorAll. The sound is completely gone.

 

I discovered the solution while researching noises on the Edmunds Fourm ... http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX?ed_s...se&count=20

 

I feel like I'm driving a new truck ... Luvin' it !!! (Especially the 21.3 mpg I just got on an 800 mile round trip, AZ to CO and back ... this 5.3L is a honey of engine).

 

BT

 

 

Great, glad you solved the problem! Another satisfied customer!

 

 

 

I too have the same problem and I figured out it is the weather stripping.... I have cleaned mine numerous times with Armour ALL and Silcone Spray and Windex and Soap and Water... I have tried many things.. It does go away but it keeps coming back after a few days. Pleas let me know if you find a permanent fix.... It is driving me crazy.. at this point it is the only thing I hate about the truck...

 

 

 

THanks Kurt

 

 

 

 

 

I found a tsb that sounds like it might match what you two are expriencing-06-08-64-035E installation of squeak reduction tape. I'm not sure though. but it sure seems to fit.

 

 

Thanks, I looked all over for a TSB and could not find one... I'll look it up and test it ....