Loud dashboard creak/knock noise

Z4Andy · 11-26-2009, 07:31 PM

At first I though this was the ventilation but has got very loud and happens now over every bump.

Seems to come from behind the steering wheel deep in the dash somewhere and it's driving me nuts.

Over slow traffic bumps its a loud knock and at speed it's more of a creak. Had a fifty mile run tonight and it was as bad when cold as when fully warmed up.

Any ideas what it is before I take it back?

MilitaryE89 · 11-27-2009, 04:02 AM

ive noticed this too, but only when the front window defrost is on. I really think it is tied into that...i mean, unless you werent running defrost at the time. As for creaking, not really noticed that from the location you mentioned. Ive heard the chassis creak as I assume a convertible will (however i had reserved that conclusion for lesser convertibles, not a BMW). If the concern is overwhelming take it in to the dealer. If something is wrong it should be covered under fit and finish i believe....

zEdP · 11-27-2009, 10:10 AM

A familiar sound. Cold mornings with the heater on, I guess this must be the windscreen, expanding very quickly. If so, this is no issue.

EdP

Z4Andy · 11-27-2009, 01:50 PM

Drove today with no heat on at all.

First drive this afternoon and as soon as I hit the bump on the drive onto the street "creeeeeeeak!". Then the first speed hump 50 feet letter "knock".

35 miles later still creak, knock and thump. The trim around the heater controls is also creaking and sounds like two pieces of polystyrene rubbing together but thats entirely another issue.

It has got really bad and it now sounds like something major it's that loud. Spoke to the dealer and an appointment is being sorted as soon as they have a loaner for me.

MilitaryE89 · 11-27-2009, 02:48 PM

i have an appointment this week too about the rattles in my roof and now the freaking dash...i will ask about this crack sound i hear in the front too and we can compare notes. i have a "knock" too that seems to come from the rear left wheel well when going over speed bumps. sounds like something in the suspension is jacked up, is this similar to what you are experiencing?

Z4Andy · 11-27-2009, 03:29 PM

Knock is deep in the dash somewhere to the right (I think) of the steering wheel. Take note my car is UK (RHD).

Havn't noticed any suspension noises.

Zcoupe · 07-15-2010, 03:36 PM

Any solution yet?

Z4Andy · 07-15-2010, 04:12 PM

The creak/knock was sorted recently by the dealer by lubricating the roof seals. Although I was always convinced the noise was from deep in the the dash somewhere.

It's gone and that's the main thing as it was a really loud creak/knocking noise.

The dash still squeaks around the heater controls in cold weather.

11-26-2009, 07:31 PM	#1
Z4Andy Private First Class 10 Rep 170 Posts Drives: Z4 Sdrive 35iS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Belfast iTrader: (0)	Loud dashboard creak/knock noise At first I though this was the ventilation but has got very loud and happens now over every bump. Seems to come from behind the steering wheel deep in the dash somewhere and it's driving me nuts. Over slow traffic bumps its a loud knock and at speed it's more of a creak. Had a fifty mile run tonight and it was as bad when cold as when fully warmed up. Any ideas what it is before I take it back?
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11-27-2009, 04:02 AM	#2
MilitaryE89 Private First Class 7 Rep 188 Posts Drives: 2008 328i, 2009 sDrive30i Join Date: May 2009 Location: APO, AE iTrader: (0)	ive noticed this too, but only when the front window defrost is on. I really think it is tied into that...i mean, unless you werent running defrost at the time. As for creaking, not really noticed that from the location you mentioned. Ive heard the chassis creak as I assume a convertible will (however i had reserved that conclusion for lesser convertibles, not a BMW). If the concern is overwhelming take it in to the dealer. If something is wrong it should be covered under fit and finish i believe....
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11-27-2009, 10:10 AM	#3
zEdP Ed 18 Rep 298 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive30i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	A familiar sound. Cold mornings with the heater on, I guess this must be the windscreen, expanding very quickly. If so, this is no issue. EdP
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11-27-2009, 01:50 PM	#4
Z4Andy Private First Class 10 Rep 170 Posts Drives: Z4 Sdrive 35iS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Belfast iTrader: (0)	Re: Drove today with no heat on at all. First drive this afternoon and as soon as I hit the bump on the drive onto the street "creeeeeeeak!". Then the first speed hump 50 feet letter "knock". 35 miles later still creak, knock and thump. The trim around the heater controls is also creaking and sounds like two pieces of polystyrene rubbing together but thats entirely another issue. It has got really bad and it now sounds like something major it's that loud. Spoke to the dealer and an appointment is being sorted as soon as they have a loaner for me.
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11-27-2009, 02:48 PM	#5
MilitaryE89 Private First Class 7 Rep 188 Posts Drives: 2008 328i, 2009 sDrive30i Join Date: May 2009 Location: APO, AE iTrader: (0)	i have an appointment this week too about the rattles in my roof and now the freaking dash...i will ask about this crack sound i hear in the front too and we can compare notes. i have a "knock" too that seems to come from the rear left wheel well when going over speed bumps. sounds like something in the suspension is jacked up, is this similar to what you are experiencing?
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11-27-2009, 03:29 PM	#6
Z4Andy Private First Class 10 Rep 170 Posts Drives: Z4 Sdrive 35iS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Belfast iTrader: (0)	Re: Knock is deep in the dash somewhere to the right (I think) of the steering wheel. Take note my car is UK (RHD). Havn't noticed any suspension noises.
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07-15-2010, 03:36 PM	#7
Zcoupe New Member 5 Rep 17 Posts Drives: Z4 2.5 steptronic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	Any solution yet?
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07-15-2010, 04:12 PM	#8
Z4Andy Private First Class 10 Rep 170 Posts Drives: Z4 Sdrive 35iS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Belfast iTrader: (0)	The creak/knock was sorted recently by the dealer by lubricating the roof seals. Although I was always convinced the noise was from deep in the the dash somewhere. It's gone and that's the main thing as it was a really loud creak/knocking noise. The dash still squeaks around the heater controls in cold weather.
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