I have a 2006 Solara and it started to rattle in the back too. I originally took it to the dealer and they could not find it, so I took matters into my own hands.
Think of your car as Engine being North and tailpipe being south. Open your trunk and find the little round hole that is cut out for access to the brake light that sits center of the back window. Reach in the hole with your fingers and feel dead south for the place where the top speaker grill/pannel comes into contact with a plastic pad designed to allow the speaker grill to rest upon it. With your finger, push up and you will see that you can now rattle your whole grill in the same way that vibrations from car movement vibrates it, only you can not do it as fast, but I assure you, this is the spot causing the rattle. In-between the resting spot and the leg of the pannel there is just enough play there to allow that whole pannel to bounce and make noise, and the pannel gives just enough that you can get a paperclip in-between those two pieces and it will stop the rattle forever! It will be tight enough to hold the paperclip in place and it will not ever rattle in the least again. Let me tell you though, this is hard to do and takes patients as you cannot see what you are doing at all, you can only get about 2 fingers in there at a time and it requires you laying down inside the trunk for the best position. Once inserted, you'll be a happy rattle-free Solara person again.
I personally hate rattles more than anything and belive that a car as expensive as a Solara should be pretty free of rattles. The design of the rear speakergrill pannel is a flaw in my opinion and those two pieces should be fastened with something from the factory.
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2006 Solara SLV
Last edited by BattleAngel; 07-16-2006 at 11:29 AM.
I have a 2006 Solara and it started to rattle in the back too. I originally took it to the dealer and they could not find it, so I took matters into my own hands.
Think of your car as Engine being North and tailpipe being south. Open your trunk and find the little round hole that is cut out for access to the brake light that sits center of the back window. Reach in the hole with your fingers and feel dead south for the place where the top speaker grill/pannel comes into contact with a plastic pad designed to allow the speaker grill to rest upon it. With your finger, push up and you will see that you can now rattle your whole grill in the same way that vibrations from car movement vibrates it, only you can not do it as fast, but I assure you, this is the spot causing the rattle. In-between the resting spot and the leg of the pannel there is just enough play there to allow that whole pannel to bounce and make noise, and the pannel gives just enough that you can get a paperclip in-between those two pieces and it will stop the rattle forever! It will be tight enough to hold the paperclip in place and it will not ever rattle in the least again. Let me tell you though, this is hard to do and takes patients as you cannot see what you are doing at all, you can only get about 2 fingers in there at a time and it requires you laying down inside the trunk for the best position. Once inserted, you'll be a happy rattle-free Solara person again.
I personally hate rattles more than anything and belive that a car as expensive as a Solara should be pretty free of rattles. The design of the rear speakergrill pannel is a flaw in my opinion and those two pieces should be fastened with something from the factory.
thats a great DIY. I thought there was a TSB on this? haven't heard it yet on my '06, and hoping I don't..
Dealer replaced my rear tray and it did not change anything. Instaed of paper clip I put some thick paper there and it helps the rattle. Thanks BattleAngel.
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'08 Toyota Camry Hybrid
'00 Grand Marquis LS (winter beater)
'04 Porsche Boxster
Gone: '06 Solara
I had the same problem with my 04 --- my boyfriend took off the entire back tray, and I cut a piece of foam to cover the under side of the tray (with holes cut for the speaker openings and for the clips) and then put the tray back on. Now the only time it rattles (a little bit) is when the subs hit.
**BattleAngel that is a good idea... I am going to try that to see if it will elimante the rattle caused by the subs...
Experiencing a rattling sound could indeed be very annoying. As for my experience, it had been caused by faulty shocks. Check for possible wiring harness that are not properly secured.
Another cause for rattles is under the passenger side gloovebox. There is a plate that covers everything underneath and it can become dis-lodged if someone kicks it, or if you have Cartoys install stuff in your car and they don't put it back in correctly. When correctly placed in its spot, it is very secure. If it is not seated right, it will rattle and it will actually sound like it is the dash, but it is not. There are also two plastic bolts that screw the floor and side panneling tightly down, if someone (like Cartoys) does not tighten these down properly then it will cause a rattle too. So, for those who are experiencing a rattling dash, check these two things out. Both cause a rattle sound that would seem to be coming from the upper dash when in fact is is coming from below.
Another cause for rattles is under the passenger side gloovebox. There is a plate that covers everything underneath and it can become dis-lodged if someone kicks it, or if you have Cartoys install stuff in your car and they don't put it back in correctly. When correctly placed in its spot, it is very secure. If it is not seated right, it will rattle and it will actually sound like it is the dash, but it is not. There are also two plastic bolts that screw the floor and side panneling tightly down, if someone (like Cartoys) does not tighten these down properly then it will cause a rattle too. So, for those who are experiencing a rattling dash, check these two things out. Both cause a rattle sound that would seem to be coming from the upper dash when in fact is is coming from below.
Wow.. Small world.. I work in Union and pass by there every now and again on rte 22.. are they any good? By yur message seems they were 1/2 arsed?? Someone gave thenm a good rec on solaraguy.org.. Now I'd probably stay away after hearing your story.
Thanks - Steve
I don't want to mislead anyone, I have had so much work done at Car Toys over the years and never a problem. This one small thing was pretty much the extent of the problems I have had. I have had 4 stereo systems put in and 2 car alarm systems. The last Car alarm was extremely extensive and so thay had to get pretty into the car and they did a good job. By the way, this was my second Solara to get work done there and they always tell me how well built these cars are when I pick up my car.
I don't want to mislead anyone, I have had so much work done at Car Toys over the years and never a problem. This one small thing was pretty much the extent of the problems I have had. I have had 4 stereo systems put in and 2 car alarm systems. The last Car alarm was extremely extensive and so thay had to get pretty into the car and they did a good job. By the way, this was my second Solara to get work done there and they always tell me how well built these cars are when I pick up my car.
so then I guess thay know how to put a radio in a Solara. That's a good start. Think I'll stop by and see what they got. Thanks for the info.
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Rear Rattle on 2006 Solara
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