Noise/Squeak around speakers

General Discussion Forums MX-5 Chat
2

Hi,

My mk3 has an irritating rattle/sqeak coming from the speaker area between the seats just above storage compartment, if you put slight pressure on the speaker grill with your hand the noise stops, but as soon as you let it go the rattle/squeak starts again. Does anyone know how to resolve this problem or experienced similar?

Thanks in advance

Ben
3

Oh yes many times…speakers vibrate, so panels around them are vulnerable to rattles and squeaks. Usually, tightening up screws (particularly the speaker mounts themselves) will help…if not, usually a piece of folded up paper or a foam pad in between the panels on the offending area will sort it.

4

 Thanks for the response. Just to confirm the noise happens whether the speakers vibrate or not. I am also not sure how to access any screws to tighten on the MK3, do you have any ideas?

5

Yes, I had this on my Mk3, especially when the roof was up for some reason.

What I did was get some of those little sticky foam pads and wedge one in each side of the console where it meets the seats and this seems to have cured the problem.

6

Thank you very much, can you confirm the pads were placed where the plastic of the centre console meets the plastic behind the seats (in the crease)

7

Hi Guys

I think this may relate to the plastic of the panel rubbing and making the noise. Has anyone else experienced this and resolved the problem?

Thanks

8

I think that’s what I mean!

Place a sticky pad or thin piece of rubber in the gap where the rear of the centre console meets the panel behind the seats (just below the storage compartment). I found that I needed one each side of the console, but try it with one first.

9

Hi - any chance you can post/send a picture of where you mean? I would really appreciate it.

Thanks for your help so far

10

I’ve taken the photos but they won’t upload to the site. If you’d like to pm me your email address, I’d be happy to e-mail them to you.

11

 Hi,

I have this same problem, and is highly frustrating, did this solution resolve your squeak? I will try this with my MX5 too, my squeak seems to be quite high up in the centre console, around the speaker area, the squeak goes if you put pressure on it. Also it squeaks with or without the music on i.e. speakers being used or not.

thanks

 

12

 Hi there, I think I found a resolution which I will share with you later (pictures etc.) Basically it has involved me placing some black felt (£1 solution) at the back of the centre console (where the sliding cupholders are) in the gap where it meets the speaker/compartment section. To test this drive as usual and use your left hand and finger as a wedge in this gap and I bet the noise disappears. Sounds bizarre as the noise does not sound like it comes from there but it works.

Apologies for the bad description, it will be more clear with photos. Let me know how you get on in the meatime.

Thanks

Ben

13

 Hi,

Thanks for this advice - I’ll test it this afternoon with my left hand and also look forward to seeing the pictures :slight_smile:

I’ll let you know if the test works!

Thanks

Jenny

14

Basically, anything that will significantly change the resonant frequency of that panel should work. Felt/foam pads (in any joint) works by adding damping, but it will also be improved by adding weight to the panel (sticking bits of blu-tack or whatever to it), as will changing the spring tension (by tightening or loosening fasteners).

 

15

Hey Jenny

Please see the below links giving you an idea of what I did, mind you the noise may have come back but then again I may just be paranoid:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80258273@N06/7468034980/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80258273@N06/7468032618/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80258273@N06/7468030644/in/photostream/

Are you based in Australia?

Thanks

 

Ben

16

That’s a lot neater than my sticky pads!

 

Where did you get the felt out of interest?

17

Hi there,

Apologies if I didn’t say so but thanks for helping to identify the noise.

Strangely enough I bought the felt as a set from Poundland!! Let me know if you have any luck, I can always help you get some.

Ben

18

 

Hi,<o:p></o:p>

Sorry for the late reply - I haven’t had the internet all weekend. The test worked - I put my left hand in the gap and the noise went straight away! Thanks for sending the photos - it looks very neat and smart. I will take a trip to find some felt, I have a poundland so will try there first and hopefully I can resolve the problem. You are all right, in that some pressure on the panel/changing the weight, seems to stop the resonant frequency and therefore stops the rattle.<o:p></o:p>

I’ll then have to work out how to resolve the other rattle in my car! The Soft Top Latch/Latch cover….although I do have a set of complex instructions on how to solve that.<o:p></o:p>

No I am not from or in Australia…I am in St Albans, Hertfordshire…<o:p></o:p>

Thanks so much all<o:p></o:p>

 

19

Good to hear it! Apologies for the confusion, I saw Ozzi and assumed you were from Australia. However it would be spelt Aussie. Anyway I live in Luton and work in Watford so not far from you at all. Give a shout if you need anything. If you can recommend anywhere to take my Mazda for repairs/servicing etc. that would be very helpful.

Thanks

Ben