Creaky Cowling Over Dashboard Dials

[DanD]

The cowling set between the dials and the dashboard has started creaking/vibrating, and the problem is getting worse. The noise is coming from the right hand side and stops when you jab a finger against it.

Has any one experienced the same problem and managed to fix it?

Thanks

[katabrontes]

Sounds to me as if it due to vibration somewhere in the engine/chassis/wheels. Does it change when you accelerate or lift off, assuming the petrol engine is running (? cylinders missing), does it happen when on electric only? ? changes with speed (? wheel balancing). I noticed vibration on my 350 when accelerating but not when lifting off. It was due to misfiring on several cylinders caused by a small leak in a pipe near the inlet manifold oxygen sensor.

[DanD]

Nothing as bad as that. It is like a buzzing noise that definitely comes from the cowling. It only starts around 50mph and stops at higher or lower speeds, so must be linked to engine speed and associated noise / vibration frequency. As I said, if you put your finger on it, the thing stops buzzing.

Performance and engine noise are the same as usual. Wheel balancing could potentially be related, or more possibly tyre inflation although I have not noticed any undue vibrations in the steering wheel. I guess I was more looking at stopping the symptoms rather than looking for a cause.

Thanks all the same.

[katabrontes]

I am a doctor. In my experience the key to resolving a problem is finding he cause before you apply the remedy! Good luck.

It sound like tyres/suspension to me. If it was engine etc. it would happen at the same RPM regardless of road speed.

Could it be something attached to the car vibrating in the air stream (e.g. roof bars, trim, loose bumper or moulding/undertray etc

[tameracingdriver]

I think the OP has determined that the problem is coming from the dashboard and is due to the interior trim vibrating?

My RX dash squeaked terribly at certain speeds - due to the plastic surround on the instrument cluster rubbing on the rest of the dash moulding. It was nothing to do with engine, suspension, tyres or anything else mechanical.

Trim can get loose over time as heat/cold affects it.

If it is anything more sinister than this, I would be amazed.

[katabrontes]

If it only happens at certain speeds it is clearly a resonance phenomenon. If it was a problem with the dash mounts I suspect it would not just have started. As it is clearly new I would suspect a wheel may be out of balance or a suspension bush is worn. I am sure an experienced mechanic would be able to advise on this. It will probably be quite easy to fix. Of course you could always stop it with some Blu tack in the joint of the dashboard but that wouldn't address the cause of the problem. Many years ago one front wishbone on my Saab 900 "unfolded" as I was turning a corner due to a worn ball joint! Fortunately I was only doing about 5 MPH at the time. Lucky I wasn't racing.

[steve2006]

There is some mention of a problem where the dash meets the windscreen, have a look at the link below especially post number 10 which mentions a TSB regarding dash rattle.

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-second-generation/428662-creaking-dash.html

[DanD]

I think the OP has determined that the problem is coming from the dashboard and is due to the interior trim vibrating?

My RX dash squeaked terribly at certain speeds - due to the plastic surround on the instrument cluster rubbing on the rest of the dash moulding. It was nothing to do with engine, suspension, tyres or anything else mechanical.

Trim can get loose over time as heat/cold affects it.

If it is anything more sinister than this, I would be amazed.

This is exactly what I am referring to. Given that there is no other symptom, I would like to think that this is just a trim issue and all I want to know is whether someone has experienced the same and managed to fix it.

I appreciate that ultimately, the cause may be related to wheel balance etc., although I would suspect that this would translate into something more than just a very localised vibration.