Interior squeeks and rattles.

Venom351R · Oct 2, 2021

To make it clear I'm not complaining I've had four 1994-2004 Mustangs all with this same interior. On my 04 Cobra it definitely has some squeaks and rattles I'd like to address or find the cause of. I'm only bringing this up because I drove an 04 Cobra yesterday that someone bought locally who wanted me to check it out for them. It had 49K miles and the interior was very quiet, no squeaks, no rattles no vibrations as compared to mine. Mine has 78K miles on it and my shifter bezel and or the larger piece that goes around the air vents and also the trim that goes around the window / locks on the drivers side door all squeak and or rattle. Is this purely a mileage thing and it is what it is with zero alternatives or would replacing these interior pieces help resolve some of these issues?

I'm fine with living with it but as I saw for myself these cars do not have to squeak and rattle as I thought they all did so if possible I would like to make mine a little better if possible.

CobraBob · Oct 2, 2021

Well, it's a 17 year old car with 78K miles so some squeaks are inevitable. Some Terminators produce squeaks and rattles more so than others. It in part depends, too, on how/where the car has been driven over those many years. Imagine a car that routinely travels on less than stellar roads; that jarring over time will produce noises.

You will really need to pin-point the sources before you start re-placing or reinforcing parts. Air vent rattles can sometimes be cured by strategically adding pieces of Dynomat to the pieces. Here's an example from my Terminator FAQs. Somebody thought he heard a buzzing sound coming from around his A/C vents. But on closer inspection, he discovered the sound was coming from the three buttons at the bottom of his center console. He cured it with some Dynomat. Here's the link.

Terminator FAQs

www.terminator-faqs.com

This is just to show that sometimes Dynomat strategically placed can cure annoying squeaks and rattles. Other times, replacing actually parts that may have just worn over time can be the answer.

98 svt · Oct 2, 2021

The piece around the vents has foam on the edges and I bet it has deteriorated.

Venom351R · Oct 2, 2021

CobraBob said:
Well, it's a 17 year old car with 78K miles so some squeaks are inevitable. Some Terminators produce squeaks and rattles more so than others. It in part depends, too, on how/where the car has been driven over those many years. Imagine a car that routinely travels on less than stellar roads; that jarring over time will produce noises.

You will really need to pin-point the sources before you start re-placing or reinforcing parts. Air vent rattles can sometimes be cured by strategically adding pieces of Dynomat to the pieces. Here's an example from my Terminator FAQs. Somebody thought he heard a buzzing sound coming from around his A/C vents. But on closer inspection, he discovered the sound was coming from the three buttons at the bottom of his center console. He cured it with some Dynomat. Here's the link.

Terminator FAQs

www.terminator-faqs.com

This is just to show that sometimes Dynomat strategically placed can cure annoying squeaks and rattles. Other times, replacing actually parts that may have just worn over time can be the answer.

98 svt said:
The piece around the vents has foam on the edges and I bet it has deteriorated.

Thanks I'll look into where its coming from more and adding some sound deading to see if it helps out

P49Y-CY · Oct 2, 2021

both of mine have lots of that going on and i've found the best solution to be a bassani x-pipe, borla singers, and a loud radio! :rockon:

NightRide · Oct 2, 2021

I had the same issues with mine was really annoying. Pulled all the trim pieces and put strips of foam on backing some had deteriorated. Also a light layer of grease where you slide them back in. All I hear now is the trans while shifting. It has a bassani catback but still way to quiet for my liking. Have an off road h pipe waiting install.

01yellercobra · Oct 2, 2021

The radio and shifter bezel on mine would drive me crazy on long trips. I put some self adhesive foam I picked up from Home Depot around it and it made a world of difference.

On an unrelated note, after I did the FTBR bushings I could really hear the gear noise. I ended up putting some boom mat under the seat and in the trunk. I didn't cover it like you see in the car shows, but covered about 80% of the metal. I can barely hear my fuel pumps when I turn the key now. It really made a difference on the road.

Venom351R · Oct 3, 2021

P49Y-CY said:
both of mine have lots of that going on and i've found the best solution to be a bassani x-pipe, borla singers, and a loud radio! :rockon:

I have a Bassani catted X pipe and Borla stingers. My radio set up sounds like absloute trash. I'm well aware of what these cars are but just because they can be rattle machines does not mean they need to be. Eventually I'll get a good sound system put in.

NightRide said:
I had the same issues with mine was really annoying. Pulled all the trim pieces and put strips of foam on backing some had deteriorated. Also a light layer of grease where you slide them back in. All I hear now is the trans while shifting. It has a bassani catback but still way to quiet for my liking. Have an off road h pipe waiting install.

Nice I'll look into that

01yellercobra said:
The radio and shifter bezel on mine would drive me crazy on long trips. I put some self adhesive foam I picked up from Home Depot around it and it made a world of difference.

On an unrelated note, after I did the FTBR bushings I could really hear the gear noise. I ended up putting some boom mat under the seat and in the trunk. I didn't cover it like you see in the car shows, but covered about 80% of the metal. I can barely hear my fuel pumps when I turn the key now. It really made a difference on the road.

Next time I'm there I'll look for that.

99cobrasvt · Oct 7, 2021

I just Bought another 04. This one was all original with 26000 miles on it only thing changed was a catback. Even had the blower pulley guard. I had zero rattles but I put an aftermarket shifter in and now there is some around that area in the plastic. I put the stocker back in my other car and some rattles in the bezel went away!

JaCobro · Oct 7, 2021

I have same issues you mentioned. The radio bezel noise seemed to appear after I put an aftermarket radio in. Some days the noises are MIA. The humidity appears to be a factor sometimes. Which makes me think it needs insulation replaced or added.

hotcobra03 · Oct 8, 2021

I've been lucky with tooth pics on radio benzel ,1 on each side

Only see it if you were to stare for awhile ,

I have a drivers door rattle,if I put my elbow between seat and door it goes away or put windows up ,,

Rear end was super loud,

Did a set of gears myself for first time,just winged it,,luckily it's almost silent,

Interior squeeks and rattles.

Venom351R

Well-Known Member

CobraBob

Authorized Vendor

Terminator FAQs

98 svt

Well-Known Member

Venom351R

Well-Known Member

Terminator FAQs

P49Y-CY

fomocomofo

NightRide

Roll Racer

01yellercobra

Well-Known Member

Venom351R

Well-Known Member

99cobrasvt

Active Member

JaCobro

Luke 10:19

hotcobra03

Well-Known Member

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