dold@RattlingXw.usenet.us.com spake unto the assembled masses in
news:bqg7pb$2kn$2@blue.rahul.net:

> 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid.
> This car is so quiet that the rattling from the windshield pillar
> plastic covers is driving me nuts.
> I thought there was something loose inside the pillar, like maybe an
> airbag cable, but I've decided that it is the cover itself.
> I complained about it on a service visit, but they couldn't reproduce
> the noise ;-(
> Now I can make it rattle by tapping against it with my fingers. It
> only makes the noise under normal driving conditions at certain
> temperatures. I'd like to glue or pad it, but I can't see how to
> remove the covers. Is this simple, or should I take it back to the
> dealer?
>

The car is still under warranty. If the rattle is bad enough, you can talk
them into keeping the car long enought to track down and fix the source
themselves.

If you want to solve it on your own, try to locate exactly where the rattle
is coming from and make a note of it. The trim is held in place with
plastic tabs that pass through metal spring clips inserted into the sheet
steel of the A-pillar.

Warning: The trim is FRAGILE and very EXPENSIVE, be careful not to break
it!

If you grasp the edges of the trim with your fingertipes and pull gently,
you should be able to feel more resistance where the clips are located. The
plastic will be springier *between* the clips. At each clip location, grasp
the trim firmly and pull sharply outwards.

The shop repair manual will give the exact location of all the clips by the
way.

The clip or plastic tab should pop out. Keep going until they are all free.
At this point you should be able to remove the trim and stick foam rubber
or felt where you think the rattle is coming from. Putting the trim back is
just a matter of putting it back in position and pressing each clip home
with your fingers.

Warning: Those plastic tabs are FRAGILE. Anytime you remove trim, you stand
the great risk that one or more of the tabs will break off, resulting in
even more rattles. Once they break off, you cannot fix them. Trim's not
really made to be removed these days.


--
TeGGeR®