How to eliminate the creak of plastic in the car: effective methods and recommendations
Content
When a metal rattle appears in the car interior, it is necessary to check the tightening of bolts and screws. Sometimes it is enough to lubricate the rubbing parts to eliminate vibration. If the sound during movement resembles a creaking on a rubber surface, then silicone gel should be applied to the door seals. Before processing, it is important to clean and degrease the place of rubbing surfaces.
With an increase in mileage, extraneous noises begin to appear in the cabin of the car. The reason is the wear of the skin parts and the weakening of the panel fasteners. The elimination of squeaks in the car interior is carried out with soundproofing materials. To prevent crickets, preventive treatment of rubbing surfaces is done.
Causes of noise in the car
In most machines, creaking begins after the end of the warranty period. Warping of plastic, loose fasteners and loaded body parts begin to make extraneous sounds even when the car is moving slowly. In winter, the interior may creak more often due to differences in thermal shrinkage of materials.
Noise in the car
Driving style can also affect the creaking of car parts: acceleration, braking, corner entry. The set of emitted sounds is also different - from a quiet rustle to an unpleasant metallic rattle. Sometimes the appearance of crickets in the cabin on the go is a harbinger of a more serious malfunction. Therefore, it is necessary to find the cause in time and remove the noise.
Why is a creak and rattle born
Machine parts are connected to the body and to each other by various types of fasteners. In the case of warpage and loose fit, extraneous noises appear - crickets. Also, squeaks can occur when the design is poorly designed, as in the suspension of the Kia Sportage or Toyota Camry, Corolla.
The influence on the growth of the noise level is exerted by the low quality of the materials used in the construction of the car.
In the steering column
If a creak is heard during movement, then the possible reason is the friction of the line tubes with each other. When maneuvering the car, braking or accelerating, knocking in the steering wheel usually occurs due to the impact of the wiring harness on the plastic panel.
More often this cause of noise is found in the VAZ 2114, 2115, Grant and Lada Veste models, as well as in foreign cars Nissan Qashqai and Chevrolet Cruze. Possible strumming of a bunch of keys on the hard plastic of the torpedo. Squeaking sometimes occurs due to poor lubrication of steering column parts.
Doors from below
In the cold season, crickets appear in the pockets of the speaker installation. The clips on which the audio system equipment is attached creak. Also, after prolonged use, the tightness of the door fit worsens, a rattle appears while driving at speed. Dirt and dust adhering to the seal can cause noise and vibration from the air flow.
Panels
The material of plastic parts usually changes shape and warps due to temperature changes. The friction of the deformed parts of the skin is accompanied by a creak and rattle when driving. If the stove is turned on, the crickets often disappear. Noises sometimes appear after remounting the skin parts.
Plastic surfaces creak at the point of contact between themselves and the car body.
Crickets in the front panel of the car do not lead to serious consequences, but they irritate drivers and passengers. Extraneous sounds from panel friction are often found in Chevrolet Lacetti sedan, BMW X6 and Lexus RX models.
rear seats
The creaking of the seats and backs occurs due to loose metal fasteners. Periodic folding of the row wears out the leather upholstery, mechanism details. The fasteners are unscrewed, the latches of the stroller of the seats begin to stagger, the pins of the headrests dangle.
Seat squeak
Squeaks can occur both during the boarding of passengers and when the car is moving. Rear seat noises are common in Renault Captura and Mazda CX-5 cars.
Seat belt buttons
The clasp fixing mechanism is spring-loaded and loosens during operation. A loose fit in the lock provokes a rattling sound. The noise is usually made by the plastic seat belt button.
The main reason is the loss of the shape of the part and loose fit to the walls of the mechanism. Also, the weakening of the spring can lead to the stalling of the button and the appearance of a bounce on the road. The seat belt buckle can also hang loose in a worn buckle mechanism.
Side shelves in the trunk
Sometimes, during the operation of the machine, parts that are attached directly to the car body begin to creak and rattle. The reason is poor contact at the junction. Balcony shelves of the trunk begin to rub against the car body and make a creak. The reason for the appearance of noise may also be warping of parts due to temperature changes.
Trunk shelf
Knocks and rattles in the rear of the car are emitted by a lid that closes the luggage compartment.
Most of the parts that the trunk shelf is made of are plastic. Therefore, over time, they lose their shape and do not fit snugly to the surface. More often, knocking and rattling is found in the Volkswagen Polo, Prado 150 and Renault Logan models.
Door trim
With prolonged use of the car due to shock and vibration, the fasteners of parts to the body are weakened. Usually plastic, fabric and leather car upholstery with clips. These fasteners may break or pop out of the groove.
The upholstery of the doors begins to rattle and knock when the car is moving. If you do not carry out maintenance in time, you will have to remove the door trim and replace all the clips. This unpleasant sound is found in the Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Creta, and even in the 2020 Mercedes Benz,
Power window handles
Rotating plastic parts and levers lose their original shape over time. Sometimes there is no good contact of the elements with the metal mechanism. There is play and rattling in the window lifter handles while driving.
If the cause is not eliminated, the sounds become louder, and the part may break off when trying to open the window. Sometimes the noise does not come from the window handle, but from the incorrect installation of the cable. Squeaking is more common in the Skoda Rapid model
In the steering when starting and braking
Sometimes during acceleration, a sudden stop or on bumps, a knock is heard in the dashboard from the driver's side. Usually this noise comes from the wiring harness. Most often, the reason lies in the breakage of the fastening of the screed. But sometimes this is the result of poor-quality assembly of the car. Also, malfunctions in the suspension can be reflected in the steering column. During maneuvers, shock and vibration are transmitted to the driver.
Bardachka
Pockets in the dashboard of a car with a cover made entirely of plastic. Therefore, with temperature changes or wear of the joints, a creak and rattle appear during movement. More often the hinges become loose and there is a warp of the glove compartment lid. But sometimes the reason for the increased noise is warping of other plastic parts of the box due to the operation of the air conditioner.
Internal causes
Usually, in old cars of the VAZ 2107, 2109, 2110, Priore, Niva Urban, Kalina and GAZ 3110 brands, noises appear in the interior. To eliminate the creaking of plastic in the car, you need to more accurately determine the source. It is important to understand that if these are internal causes, then often the problem can be solved with your own hands using improvised means.
Common places where crickets are found in a car:
- torpedo;
- doors;
- driver and passenger seats;
- trunk details;
- hanging cladding.
Crickets in the car interior appear due to wear and tear of plastic parts, looseness of screws and clips. The casing consists of dozens of parts, so noise can occur in several places at once. External causes of knocks and vibrations under the hood are usually associated with the running and propulsion systems of the car. Therefore, they require repair in the service station.
How to eliminate crickets in the cabin: general technology
Before performing soundproofing work, it is necessary to accurately localize the source of the noise. It is better for the driver to involve an assistant who, sitting inside the car, can find places where the car interior creaks. After determining the source of sound and vibration, it is necessary to prepare soundproofing materials.
If the fastening of the part is loose, then it is necessary to tighten or install a new hardware. In hard-to-reach places, special compositions for sound insulation are used.
Ceiling sheathing
Squeaks and crackles in the upper part of the car are usually caused by the friction of the plastic at the joints. Sometimes the fastening loosens and the ceiling panel rattles during the trip. In addition, the sheathing material may make noise at the point of contact with window panes. The elimination of squeaks in the car interior is carried out by pasting "Madeline" around the perimeter. Silicone lubrication at body junctions eliminates noise.
car ceiling lining
Loose fasteners must be replaced with new ones. Sometimes devices installed on the ceiling creak - lamps, visors and handles. Check the tightness of these parts. Elimination of crickets in the car interior is possible by additional pasting with felt or anti-creak tape of the edges of the connection with the ceiling sheathing.
The use of soundproofing materials
Extraneous sounds often occur in the interior of budget cars. But the appearance of such a nuisance is possible in expensive cars. To remove the creak of plastic in the car, manufacturers put sound insulation during assembly on the conveyor. Also, additional protection from extraneous sounds can be offered in the service.
The main soundproofing materials are polyethylene foam, vibroplast and Madeleine. Sometimes, to remove squeaks in the car interior, natural felt and felt are used. Before sticking soundproofing materials, it is necessary to remove the problematic part, clean and degrease the surface. After applying the anti-creak agent, the panel must be well fixed, without play and skew.
Types and characteristics of sound insulation
The advantages of popular materials for eliminating crickets in the car interior:
- Vibroplast - well dampens the rattle of the panels, and the foil tape increases the strength of the insulation.
- Synthetic-based felt is the best inexpensive remedy for squeaks. This material is resistant to a humid environment and does not rot, unlike natural.
- "Madeleine" is a sound-insulating fabric cloth with an adhesive side.
Liquid formulations, Don Dil glue and fungal Velcro are also used to combat squeaks.
Gluing gaps and places of overlays
Joints between parts are the main source of rattling.
To prevent the material from moving away from the surface, it is necessary to clean and degrease the repair site. Even a small amount of dust or oil residue can peel off the strip. Noise-insulating seals are disposable, not designed for reuse. The main materials for gluing the joints of panels: Madeleine, double-sided tape and a canvas of bitoplast.
Eyelets and hooks for sealing
To combat crickets in the passenger compartment, adhesive-based Velcro tape is used. It is necessary to divide the two strips and bring them to opposite surfaces of the junction of the panels. The loops and hooks are connected by pressing.
But over time, Velcro often becomes clogged with dust and stops working. Therefore, periodically replacement of the seal at the joints of the panels is required. To remove crickets, an innovative development of "fungi" is used. Elements of this type dampen vibration and noise well. Sealing tape "fungi" can be reused after removal.
Means for eliminating squeak
To remove crickets in the car, apply lubricant or glue soundproofing material. More often, synthetics are used that are resistant to rain and decay.
Popular remedies for getting rid of squeaks:
- Bitoplast - a sheet of foam material with a thickness of 5-10 mm and an adhesive side.
- Madeleine - a fabric soundproofing strip for small gaps between panels.
- Biplast is a porous tape that fills uneven gaps at the junction of surfaces completely.
- Aerosols for application to contacting parts of the cabin, which form a protective film when cured.
Gluing with soundproofing materials removes vibrations and seals the joints between the interior trim panels.
Antiskrips
Noises can appear in the places where small parts are attached to the car body. In this case, dismantling is required to apply sound-absorbing materials. To remove crickets, the Antiskrip tool is often used. This is an adhesive tape with a foam rubber or polyester layer. The strip laid under the fastening of the car interior part effectively eliminates squeaks and vibrations. In order for the seal to adhere firmly to the surface, it is necessary to clean and degrease the joint.
silicone wax
Noise-absorbing materials are also made in the form of gels and pastes. The remedy for crickets is applied to rubbing surfaces.
The film formed after solidification removes vibration and extraneous noise. Silicone wax is more commonly used to protect rubber and plastic surfaces. This material can be used to lubricate moving parts - door locks and wiper blades.
Silicone grease "Suprotek-Aprokhim"
There is a type of noise-absorbing materials that additionally protect the surface from wear and corrosion. The agent is applied by spraying on rubbing parts and fasteners. Silicone lubricant "Suprotek-Agrokhim" is produced in aerosol cans.
silicone wax
The tool can be easily applied to hard-to-reach places without dismantling the panels. The secret of the substance is that silicone, after hardening, covers the surface with a strong film.
Eliminate creaking in different areas
There are dozens of metal and plastic parts in the car interior. At the joints and fasteners of the panels, creaks and rattles occur over time. The reasons for the appearance of extraneous noise are different - from poor-quality assembly to violation of the rules for car care.
What to do to suppress noise if plastic creaks in the car:
- Seal rubbing panels with sound-absorbing strip.
- Install the protective material under the interior fasteners.
- Treat joints with anti-creak agents, lubricate rubbing parts.
- Tighten loose panel fastenings, eliminate distortions.
For each element of the car interior, you can choose the appropriate means of noise protection.
Doors
When a metal rattle appears in the car interior, it is necessary to check the tightening of bolts and screws. Sometimes it is enough to lubricate the rubbing parts to eliminate vibration. If the sound during movement resembles a creaking on a rubber surface, then silicone gel should be applied to the door seals. Before processing, it is important to clean and degrease the place of rubbing surfaces.
Seats
After the car warranty expires, parts and fasteners wear out. Mechanisms and plastic linings begin to make noise in motion. Seats creak at the attachment points and seat belt buckles.
The reasons for the appearance of crickets are the poor quality of materials, wear of fasteners and springs due to constant load.
To eliminate squeaks, the seat is disassembled, and the attachment points are glued with a noise-protective strip. Metal parts are lubricated with silicone gel.
rear shelf
Poor fixation of the inner lining part provokes the appearance of a creak and rattle when driving a car.
Get rid of crickets by insulating joints "Madelin". For a tight fixation of the plastic balcony, additional rubber stops are used.
Потолок
A common cause of squeaks is the contact of the skin with the glass. Eliminate crickets in the cabin with the help of the Madeleine canvas:
- Before processing, the skin is disassembled and the fastening is checked.
- The fabric tape is glued around the perimeter of the ceiling panel.
- Rubber seals are lubricated with silicone paste.
When assembling the ceiling panel, distortions must be avoided.
Prevention of squeaks
Over the years of operation, car trim parts lose their original shape. At the joints and at the attachment points, play and signs of wear appear. Ways to prevent squeaks and rattles in the car:
- Regular lubrication of friction surfaces.
- Additional sticker of noise-absorbing tape on the joints of plastic panels.
- Use of gel and aerosol to prevent squeaking in hard-to-reach places.
- Periodic revision and broaching of car interior trim parts.
- Use of covers and additional pads to reduce surface wear.
More often, crickets appear in a car in winter, so prevention should be done in advance, in the warm season. Before eliminating squeaks, watch the instructions on the video.
