Stopping trim rattling

Soldato
Joined
23 Oct 2002
Posts
2,562
Location
Edinburgh/Southampton
Even though the car is brand new, Ford are basically hopeless. They basically say they are incapable of stopping trim rattling unless there is a 'fault' with it. Whilst this obviously angers me greatly since it wasn't designed to rattle and therefore is a manufacturing defect, at the end of the day I seek to achieve an objective, i.e. stopping the trim rattling. I think all I need to do is remove the trim, apply some foam tape behind and refit it. Why they can't do that is beyond me, but they say they can only use genuine ford parts and foam tape is not one! wtf?

On both sides it is the trim attached either side of the rear passenger seats (i.e. where the doors would be if it had 5 doors, but it is a 3 door). I want some foam tape.

I have found this, Linky but I don't really want 50 metres of the stuff! Where could I buy on the high street some shorter lengths?

Thanks in advance,

Sam
 
Should I write a letter and insist ford have another go? I have looked into removing the trim and it is where the curtain airbags are. I'll have to go carefully....
 
I've owned 3 fords now and all of them have rattled. its very, very annoying - the only answer is to do it yourself . You'll make a much better job of it than the dealer monkeys and you'll know its done right.

I'm sure you can get that tape from any DIY shop, good luck
 
Are you not concerned that the extra mass of the tape will somewhat lower your fuel economy?
 
DRZ said:
Are you not concerned that the extra mass of the tape will somewhat lower your fuel economy?

Not to mention affect the aerodynamics of the vehicle and increase drag.
 
Back in the 1940's and early 1950's you had the Ford Popular and it rattled, banged and squeaked as it went down the road, everything did. I know, I have one. Then in the mid 1950's Ford introduced the 100E range of cars. They did not squeak, everything was screwed down really well. I know, I had one. In the 1960's there was the Anglia 105E and again everything was screwed down and nothing squeaked. I know I have one. The Mk1 Escort in the 1970's was the first fully monocoque car from Ford and yet they managed to make it rigid enough that nothing squeaked inside. I know, my brother had one. Then there was the Fiesta in the 1980's. Everything inside squeaked and the car started to shake when you reached about 60mph and steadily got worse until you were too scared to go any faster. I know, several of my mates had one.

How do manufacturers manage this? Do they not learn?
 
Back in the 1940's and early 1950's you had the Ford Popular and it rattled, banged and squeaked as it went down the road, everything did. I know, I have one. Then in the mid 1950's Ford introduced the 100E range of cars. They did not squeak, everything was screwed down really well. I know, I had one. In the 1960's there was the Anglia 105E and again everything was screwed down and nothing squeaked. I know I have one. The Mk1 Escort in the 1970's was the first fully monocoque car from Ford and yet they managed to make it rigid enough that nothing squeaked inside. I know, my brother had one. Then there was the Fiesta in the 1980's. Everything inside squeaked and the car started to shake when you reached about 60mph and steadily got worse until you were too scared to go any faster. I know, several of my mates had one.

How do manufacturers manage this? Do they not learn?

I can only guess the early ones did rattle but either the other noises were so great you couldn't hear the rattle or because they have been owned by successive enthusiasts the rattles have been dealt with!
 
Ever tried a french car?? make a ford sound like a rolls royce :eek:

but you get used to it, its another excuse for loud music :)
 
Mates got a golf and his squeaks like mad, he used silicon spray seemed to help a bit! Think that might have been on the door rubbers tho.
 
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