Interior - Instrument Panel Squeaks/Rattles
Group: 70Number: 00-01
Date: June 15, 2000
Subject:
Instrument Panel, Eliminating Squeaks/Rattles
Model(s):
New Beetle 1998 --> 2000
Condition
Squeaks/rattles in area of instrument panel when driving over uneven roads.
May be caused by friction between various plastic parts and their mating surfaces.
Service
- Reproduce noise (road test with customer if necessary).
- Identify type and location of noise.
Locate description of noise and repair by applying felt strips as outlined on the following pages:
Center plenum panel cover
Squeaking/rattling near forward radii of center plenum panel cover (arrows).
- Pull center cover -1- forward out of latch and remove from instrument panel (arrow A).
- Inspect underside of cover for tape or felt at both front radii (arrows).
If tape is found along radii:
- Remove tape and apply felt as described below.
If no tape or felt is found:
- Cut two pieces approx. 125 mm x 11 mm from Part No: 533 867 910A (adhesive felt).
- Apply one felt strip at both front corners of panel (edge of felt must line up with edge of panel).
- Reinstall panel.
Note:
Felt must NOT protrude beyond outer edges of panel (arrows). If allowed to protrude, felt will be visible once the panel is installed.
Left or right plenum panel cover Squeaking/rattling from left or right plenum panel cover.
- Remove center cover.
- Remove screws -1-.
- Lift left plenum panel cover -1- and remove from clips at front and rear edge.
- Pull cover -1- toward center of vehicle and out of retainer in A-pillar to remove.
- Lift right plenum panel cover -2- and remove from clips at front and rear edge.
- Pull cover -2- toward center of vehicle and out of retainer in A-pillar to remove.
- Inspect three front clips at (white arrows) of left and right plenum covers.
- Check for tape or felt on both sides of clip slot (black arrows) (inset).
If no felt is visible or if area has been taped:
- Remove clips.
- Remove tape if necessary.
- Cut six pieces approx. 30 mm x 25 mm from Part No: 533 867 910A (adhesive felt).
- Apply one felt strip at each side of clip slot (black arrows).
- Install clips into slot making sure clip will not rattle against slot.
- Reinstall parts in reverse order of removal.
Center air outlet console
Squeaking/rattling from center air outlet cover
- Remove center air outlet cover see Repair Manual CD-ROM, Heating & Air conditioning - group 80, Airs Outlets, Removing.
- Check for tape of felt on six stand-offs at (arrows).
If no felt is visable or if area has been taped:
- Remove tape if necessary.
- Cut six pieces approx. 35 mm x 25 mm from Part No: 533 867 910A (adhesive felt).
- Apply one felt strip at each stand-off (wrap stand-off)
- Reinstall parts in reverse order of removal.
NOTE
Prior to reassembling parts, also ensure that felt strips are applied at each of the following locations as described in this bulletin:
^ Flower vase
^ Radio
^ Center plenum panel cover
Flower Vase, holder
Squeaking/rattling from flower vase bracket
- Pry bracket -1- for flower vase -2- off instrument panel.
- Check for tape or felt at (arrows).
If no felt is visible or if area has been taped:
- Remove tape if necessary.
- Cut two pieces approx. 20 mm x 12 mm from Part No: 533 867 910A (adhesive felt).
- Apply one felt strip at (arrows).
- Reinstall bracket for flower vase.
Radio
Squeaking from radio area
- Remove radio, see Repair Manual CD-ROM, Radio, Telephone, Navigation - Group 91, Radio, removing and installing.
- Check for tape or felt at (arrows).
If no felt is visable or if area has been taped:
- Remove if necessary.
- Cut two pieces approx. 30 mm x 25 mm from Part No: 533 867 910A (adhesive felt).
- Apply felt strips at (arrows) (wrap vertical ribs).
Cracking/Squeaking from radio area:
- Check for tape or felt at (arrows)
If no felt is visable or if area has been taped:
- Remove tape if necessary.
- Cut four pieces approx. 65 mm x 25 mm from Part No: 533 867 910A (adhesive Felt).
- Apply felt strips at (arrows).
- Apply felt strips at same locations on bottom side of radio as well.
- Reinstall Radio.
CAUTION!
Part numbers are for reference only. Always check with your Parts Dept. for the latest parts information.