How To: Fix Rattles under the steering wheel

doops22 · 04-14-2010, 11:10 AM

Ever since I've had my truck, it's had a rattle coming from the dash, near the headlight switch. It occured randomly, and only at idle. I read a few threads about people having similar problems and tracked it down. I fixed it last weekend, and so far no more rattle.

What you'll need

-philips screwdriver.
-3/8" drive ratchet, extension, 10mm socket (could use 1/4" drive, or screwdriver handle with a socket on the end, I just grabbed the 3/8" ratchet)
-small piece of foam, rubber, maybe even a washer.
-something to cut foam/rubber if used.

First pop the fuse panel cover off.

Next remove the 2 philip's head screws and 10mm bolt on the bottom of the panel.

The only thing holding the panel on now is clips, pull the panel towards the rear of the truck and it should pull right off. They hold it on pretty good, so it will take a good yank to pop it off. If you have the trailer brake control built into this panel, try to be careful when the panel pops off, the wires don't have much slack, and if you pull the panel out too far, risk pulling wires out etc. Unplug the controller and the panel is off.

Here is the panel. The part of the heat shield where the bolt goes through was the problem with mine. The other clips holding the shield on could be broke, and can be fixed with some type of glue, silicone etc.

I had an old foam gasket from an air cleaner laying around so that's what i used to hold the heat shield tight, but you could use basically anything foam, rubber, etc.

I cut a small piece about a couple inches long, and it already had a hold for the bolt in it.

Here it is between the heat shield and panel, with the bolt through it.

Now simply plug the trailer brake wire in, pop the panel on, tighten the 2 screws and bolt, put the fuse cover on and your done! Only takes about 10 minutes. Hope this helps some of you guys out

**theunderlord** · 04-14-2010, 11:32 AM

Damn nice write up man.

**usafracer** · 04-14-2010, 11:41 AM

I took rubber o-rings and put them under every bolt and screw.

doops22 · 04-14-2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theunderlord

Damn nice write up man.

Thanks man, just happened to notice my camera in the center console when I started tearing it apart and figured what the hell, might as well take some pics.

Egad · 06-03-2010, 10:25 AM

This was pointed out to me last night.

New Intermediate Steering Shaft - GM Inside News Forum

About a clunk in the steering column. IT looks like you can get it fixed by the dealer.

Trying to get to 25 posts the useful way.

chadsdurty08 · 06-03-2010, 11:01 AM

Yeah I noticed the same rattle as you doops22... so I decided to take mine apart a few months back and all but two of the little plastic tabs were broken off so I decided to remove the whole heat shield and be done with it!! great write up by the way!!

duane9835 · 06-24-2010, 05:00 AM

Nice write-up! I need to fix my rattle trap.....

SandgnatHD · 06-24-2010, 05:19 AM

Mine was the same thing. That piece of tin will drive you crazy. Great post with the pics.

**JDT4430** · 06-24-2010, 06:38 AM

Subscibing, I need to get mine fixed as well just seems like there isn't enough time in a day.

DurtyMAX33 · 07-07-2010, 09:58 AM

i have the same rattle but its on an 03. and the rattle seems to be coming from more under the dashboard and directly behind the steering wheel. also only occurs at idle. any ideas ? thanks guys

04-14-2010, 11:10 AM	eBay Motors #1 (permalink)
doops22 DuramaxForum Veteran Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Maine Posts: 1,757	How To: Fix Rattles under the steering wheel Ever since I've had my truck, it's had a rattle coming from the dash, near the headlight switch. It occured randomly, and only at idle. I read a few threads about people having similar problems and tracked it down. I fixed it last weekend, and so far no more rattle. What you'll need -philips screwdriver. -3/8" drive ratchet, extension, 10mm socket (could use 1/4" drive, or screwdriver handle with a socket on the end, I just grabbed the 3/8" ratchet) -small piece of foam, rubber, maybe even a washer. -something to cut foam/rubber if used. First pop the fuse panel cover off. Next remove the 2 philip's head screws and 10mm bolt on the bottom of the panel. The only thing holding the panel on now is clips, pull the panel towards the rear of the truck and it should pull right off. They hold it on pretty good, so it will take a good yank to pop it off. If you have the trailer brake control built into this panel, try to be careful when the panel pops off, the wires don't have much slack, and if you pull the panel out too far, risk pulling wires out etc. Unplug the controller and the panel is off. Here is the panel. The part of the heat shield where the bolt goes through was the problem with mine. The other clips holding the shield on could be broke, and can be fixed with some type of glue, silicone etc. I had an old foam gasket from an air cleaner laying around so that's what i used to hold the heat shield tight, but you could use basically anything foam, rubber, etc. I cut a small piece about a couple inches long, and it already had a hold for the bolt in it. Here it is between the heat shield and panel, with the bolt through it. Now simply plug the trailer brake wire in, pop the panel on, tighten the 2 screws and bolt, put the fuse cover on and your done! Only takes about 10 minutes. Hope this helps some of you guys out __________________ Adam 22 LMM. Spicy Tuna. 5" exhaust. 6" lift. 35's. ROTM September 2010 Thanks to Alligator and TPT

04-14-2010, 11:32 AM	eBay Motors #2 (permalink)
theunderlord saw what you did there Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 14,332	Damn nice write up man. __________________ Kevin: SOLD!!!!!!!!! MY07.5 3500HD SRW. LMM. LT. CCLB. 4x4. 8" Cognito, 20" SOTA'S, PPE Stage 5, SDP S475 Twin Turbo Over Stock, EFI Live by DuramaxTuner, ADII. MY11 Volkswagen Golf TDI 6MT. 6K Lows, 3K Fogs, Tint. CLICK BEFORE YOU POST!

04-14-2010, 11:41 AM	eBay Motors #3 (permalink)
usafracer Insert cool slogan here $usafracer's Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North Pole AK Posts: 3,867	I took rubber o-rings and put them under every bolt and screw. __________________ 2010 GMC Sierra CC SB 4X4 6" lift and 315's 2008 GMC Sierra Crew Cab 4X4 (wifes) stock now... Zone lift going on and 305's
$usafracer is online now$

06-03-2010, 10:25 AM	eBay Motors #5 (permalink)
Egad Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 41	This was pointed out to me last night. New Intermediate Steering Shaft - GM Inside News Forum About a clunk in the steering column. IT looks like you can get it fixed by the dealer. Trying to get to 25 posts the useful way. __________________ 07 GMC cc, lb 3500 4x4 DRW. RollNLock bed cover AFE intake Curt Q5 20k fifth wheel hitch Tekonsha P3 Brake controller Open Range 429 BHS http://adventurenickel.com

06-03-2010, 11:01 AM	eBay Motors #6 (permalink)
chadsdurty08 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: East Tenn Posts: 409	Yeah I noticed the same rattle as you doops22... so I decided to take mine apart a few months back and all but two of the little plastic tabs were broken off so I decided to remove the whole heat shield and be done with it!! great write up by the way!! __________________ 08 Chevy 2500 silver ext. cab short bed Z71 4x4 Husky liner floor mats, Tuff Country Leveling Kit, Banks cold air intake, MBRP 4" downpipe back straight pipe, Pro-Fab downpipe, Pro-Fab egr delete pipe, PCV Reroute, Banks MONSTER boost tube, Transgo Jr. shift kit, Air Dog 100(factory fuel filter deleted) and EFI Live with DSP5 TUNED BY PUNISHER PERFORMANCE Black XD Hoss 18x9's & Nitto Terra Grapplers 285/65/r18's :rockin Last edited by chadsdurty08; 06-03-2010 at 11:03 AM. Reason: edit

06-24-2010, 05:00 AM	eBay Motors #7 (permalink)
duane9835 Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: NE Michigan Posts: 44	Nice write-up! I need to fix my rattle trap..... __________________ 2001 LB7 HD with 200,000 and counting.

06-24-2010, 05:19 AM	eBay Motors #8 (permalink)
SandgnatHD Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Brunswick, Ga Posts: 69	Mine was the same thing. That piece of tin will drive you crazy. Great post with the pics. __________________ 2008 GMC SLT 2500HD DMAX White Crew Cab Z71 Line-X Bedliner, 17"x10" Ultra Predator 8 wheels, 305/65/17 BFG All Terrains.

06-24-2010, 06:38 AM	eBay Motors #9 (permalink)
JDT4430 Duramax Lifetime Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Wharton,TX. Posts: 639	Subscibing, I need to get mine fixed as well just seems like there isn't enough time in a day. __________________ James 2009 LMM CCSB Z71 EFI Live w/DSP5 switch tuned by Rob Batmowheel comp. wheel Silverline 4" DP back,Diamond Eye DP Pro Fab EGR Delete BD full bore Driver side Manifold Leveled with Bilstien 5100 shocks Cobalt Gauges Pyro,Boost,Tranny Temp. DMAXSTORE.COM, Your Duramax Diesel-Only Shopping Resource

07-07-2010, 09:58 AM	eBay Motors #10 (permalink)
DurtyMAX33 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 252	i have the same rattle but its on an 03. and the rattle seems to be coming from more under the dashboard and directly behind the steering wheel. also only occurs at idle. any ideas ? thanks guys __________________ 03 ECSB LB7 90k - New injectors - AFE Intake - 4" Straight pipe - 5" Tip - 6" Fabtech Lift - 20x10 Weld Racing Rims - 35" Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ - Viper Alarm System w/Remote Start

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