Rear Deck Rattle Fix! (E36 M3)

[m3f_MitchSF]

There is a thick, heavy, rubber-like insulating pad, between the metal shelf and the black (in my car) shelf cover. I think this pad may be bouncing up and down. It was originally glued to the metal shelf, but the glue has probably failed. Since my shelf cover is out for replacement while upgrading the stereo, I think I'll glue the pad down with some liquid nails, before I put it back together.



Stuffing the area between the pad and metal shelf probably has the same effect.



Mitch

[m3f_M-grunt_fd7848cea3]

I cut open a pillow the other day... I probably should not have used a down pillow, what a mess! I put some filling in a ziploc bag and taped it closed. I stuffed the bag up under one side and I decided to try using a rolled hand towel for the other. Both worked and the rattle has been significantly reduced. I can't stand having to chase down rattles, I guess it's the price we pay. Just thought I'd pass it along... :wave:

[m3f_MitchSF]

There are two very heavy Dynamat-like pieces of insulation glued to the underside of the rear deck cover. Over time, the adhesive fails, and they bounce between the pad below them, and the rear deck cover. When I replaced the rear cover last week with a new one, I use some liquid nails around the two pieces of insulation, so they wouldn't separate from the cover. The rear deck cover is attached in the rear by four tabs that tuck into holes in the metal below. If the tabs are not in the holes, the rattle will be much worse. You can check by pulling up on the rear of the cover slightly. It's much easier to reinstall the cover without going through the trouble of making sure the tabs are in place, so this is something to check if the cover was ever removed or replaced. You can manipulate the tabs into the holes with the cover in place, if you work on it for a little while.



Stuffing something in the holes from below, accomplishes the same thing - it stops the two pieces of insulation from rattling against the rear deck cover. While I was in there, I used some liquid nails to reattach the big pad below the rear deck, to the metal below it. I also put some dabs of liquid nails on the wires that causing some rattle. I hit the pad with the palm of my hand, to try to figure out everything that could possibly make noise.



Another thing to check is the pads behind the panels on either side of the rear seat (I have a coupe, not sure about the sedan). The heavy pads behind the panels are held in place using a few plastic connectors. Parts of the pad are free to rattle against the panel and/or the metal behind it. I also used some liquid nails to tack them down in a few more places.



Now when I go over speed bumps, there are absolutely no rattles.



Mitch

[m3f_firstC]

I can't believe the rattle fix was this easy. I've had the M3 since June and cringed evertime I hear the rattle from the rear.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

If this really works I am going to have to try it.

[m3f_95blkbimm3_9842002abc]

would everyone agree that our cars make lots of rattles, i know i have a couple of places, the rear deck, the plastic center arm rest thing where the ebrake is, the passenger seat makes noise while driving when no one is sitting in it, my fan motor makes a noise at speeds .1 through 2, hmm. what else rattles.... anyone?

[m3f_DeeM3]

would everyone agree that our cars make lots of rattles, i know i have a couple of places, the rear deck, the plastic center arm rest thing where the ebrake is, the passenger seat makes noise while driving when no one is sitting in it, my fan motor makes a noise at speeds .1 through 2, hmm. what else rattles.... anyone?

Don't tell me you get that squeak from the fan motor too. It's driving me insane I never had it on my previous m3. I'm tempted to just change the damn thing but I just don't want to take apart half my dash to get to it.

[m3f_99Blk&Tan_6738c76028]

Oh I definitely agree a lot of things on these cars rattle. My current sources of rattle annoyance are:

- steering wheel/guage cluster area

- headligner or sunroof (can't figure out which is the source)

- AC / Heat fan sometimes



I'd love to hear any known solutions.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

The ac / heat fan is bearings. Mine does the same thing, this spring I plan on pulling it out and shooting some penitrating oil into the bearings.



It'll be tricky to do because you have to pull it out from the engine bay and I am afraid the engine may get in the way.

[m3f_///m328is_3561b6a1cf]

i didnt have work today,and i went to walmart to buy pillow filling for $2.00.so i fill all the cavity inside the trunk deck tight and play L.L cool J "goin back to cali" ,Damn,i havent heard the music sound so good in my 328 since my old days when i had system in various cars.theres almost no rattles inside the car thats drowning the low bass. (the lic. plate on the trunk itself still rattles).i recommend this project to anyone who has a trunk rattle issue .

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

i didnt have work today,and i went to walmart to buy pillow filling for $2.00.so i fill all the cavity inside the trunk deck tight and play L.L cool J "goin back to cali" ,Damn,i havent heard the music sound so good in my 328 since my old days when i had system in various cars.theres almost no rattles inside the car thats drowning the low bass. (the lic. plate on the trunk itself still rattles).i recommend this project to anyone who has a trunk rattle issue .

just crew the plate down really tight on all four screw points.. thats all i did and mine doesn't rattle a bit..

[m3f_VTRick01_f4e20f34c1]

where are these screws?

[m3f_VTRick01_f4e20f34c1]

Well I didn't look for the screws but did opt to go with the pillow stuffing solution. Finally got around to doing something about this...



Went with the pillow stuffing under the rear deck, and used the rest on the back left trunk area around the factory amp area...The trunk matting was vibrating too. Sounds like it should now! Definitely recommend this simple fix to anyone...