The TA is a rattle trap!

[Bandit]

I love 2nd gens but every one I've had rattles and squeaks like it's going to fall apart.
It seems like the TA is even worse now that I've stiffened up the chassis and suspension somewhat.
So now I have a 25 year old body sitting atop a crapload of nice new parts.
I want to start addressing some of these problems...don't have the time or resources right now to tear all the body panels off and have everything redone, but I would like to start a little at a time.
Can any of you 2nd gen guys give me some ideas on where to start, and what to replace, I imagine the freakin' 100lb doors would be a good place to start..?

Anyway it's driving me nucking futs.

Paul

[jeffandre]

I had to find each rattle and insulate it somehow, or else remove the part(s) that were making noise. I tightened everything up under the dash, under the car, in the doors, etc. Then I tried using tape and other materials to quiet each rattle down until I was down to <5. The worst was my stereo, masked rattles until parts were ready to fall apart, had to toss the stereo and spend 2 hours once a month putting a wrench on nearly every bolt/nut under the car. That's what I get for having a stiff suspension. Good luck,

[Kenova]

Do you have a squeak coming from the upper dash? Does it go away when it rains or you wash the car?
My '75 drove me nuts! About six months after I sold it I found out what the problem was. Hood bumper in the middle of the cowl. Grease it. Squeak is gone.
Ken

[Bandit]

Do you have a squeak coming from the upper dash? Does it go away when it rains or you wash the car?
My '75 drove me nuts! About six months after I sold it I found out what the problem was. Hood bumper in the middle of the cowl. Grease it. Squeak is gone.
Ken

Holy shiite, this could be one of the best pieces of intel I have heard in a while!! It squeeks there like a mouse getting stepped on by a moose!! I thought it was inside the dash but what you're saying makes sense.

Soon as I get home I am grabbing the grease gun and popping the hood!

Paul

[Z06killinSBF]

I think the problem lies in the car's name tag... I kid I kid. You can try masking off the wiring harness/essentials and spraying everything down with rubberized coating (lizard skin, duplicolor underbody spray, etc...) Also, Rockford Fosgate has some sprayable coating that works REALLY good but is pricey.

[Zee]

I would start with the structural stuff first. GW makes excellent subrame connectors and Pro-Touring F Body makes subframe to cowl braces. If a roll bar is in your future, now is the time. Drop the frame and replace the bushings. I prefer solid and then take binding out of the suspension with GW control arm bushings. Make sure all of the bolts are in the fenderwells, front sheet metal, etc and properly torqued. Nothing can be loose.

After all of that, start insulating as mentioned above. Several products out there to do this. You'll also need to replace your weatherstriping and the felt on the baces that hold your door glass when the windows are down.