Dashboard removal?

[a11y]

Does anyone have a guide, or any tips, about removing the dashboard from a mk4 Ibiza? A search didn't bring up anything.

I'm on a mission to cure a lot of rattles/vibrations in my Ibiza and have a supply of acoustic foam for the purpose. I've already had the rear 3/4-panels off (at the side of the rear passengers) and am hoping to do the front door cards this weekend. So far it's been effective.

But I don't know where to start with removing the dashboard. I managed this job OK with my old Clio, but that was built by French workies using blutack, sellotape and pritt-stick: I'm guessing the Ibiza might be a bit more difficult due to being built better... Is it worth it? Am I likely to get the dashboard fitted back in again afterwards?!

Any help much appreciated

Ally

 

[Nath.]

by removing it and refitting you will end up with more rattles/creaks

I removed a volvo dash once to replace a heater matrix that split (weak antifreez in winter )

before it was quiet as you like after it never fitted properly and had loads of rattles/creaks

good luck, you're gonna need it

 

[a11y]

I think I’ll be a wuss and not bother then

That’s what I was concerned about TBH: getting it back together again afterwards. It wasn’t so much as issue in the Clio as it honestly couldn’t have rattled any more than it did before – plus it was an easy job (8 screws and lift it off/out).

Without taking the actually dashboard out, I’ll make do by stuffing foam (flame-retardant stuff!) in via the glovebox, stereo area and fusebox. I think some of the rattles are my headunit wiring so that’ll be a good place to start. The rattles are the thing that really lets the car down for me – I know not everyone is that concerned about them – but it’d be nice if I could stop some of them.

 

[kriso]

My rattles (especially around air vents) are driving me crazy. Think I'll resist removing bits of the interior to try and fix this now then.

 

[diss_50]

Mine is quiet for now. Just put a sub in a few weeks ago so hopefully that doesnt loosen the tightness up to much! Touch wood!

 

[kriso]

Mine is quiet for now. Just put a sub in a few weeks ago so hopefully that doesnt loosen the tightness up to much! Touch wood!

If it does, just crank up the volume

 

[diss_50]

If it does, just crank up the volume

 

[a11y]

If it does, just crank up the volume

I can't, my stereo's pish

I'm really trying to stop any rattles for times when I'm pushing on, i.e. stereo OFF. In all honesty though, my Ibiza is a lot better built/less rattly than my old Clio (no surprise) and actually feels more "solid" than the CTR I had for 8 months between...

 

[danmay]

Mine is quiet for now. Just put a sub in a few weeks ago so hopefully that doesnt loosen the tightness up to much! Touch wood!

it adds more rattles from expereince, just crank it up progressivly louder

 

[diss_50]

Ally - Try and put your heating up full on Hi heat for around 15mins. With the air coming to the head and feet area. This should make the plastic expand and warm up hopefully eliminating some of the rattles/squeeks.

It sounds silly but give it a try!

 

[a11y]

Cheers Diss, I've tried that trick in the past before I sold a car - crank up the heat for 15 mins before meeting the seller, stops some of the rattles

 

[st10587]

just fill it with expanding wall cavity foam!!

 

[a11y]

just fill it with expanding wall cavity foam!!

Err, NO!

Although the thought had crossed my mind too

 

[bizzaboy]

Ditto - it really will turn into a nightmare job, and will end up worse if you do begin to pull it all out.

As has been said, the solution is to turn the 'Volume' control on your Stereo in a clockwise direction - or those with buttons, click the "+" and rattles will no longer exist

....worked for me.

 

[a11y]

just fill it with expanding wall cavity foam!!

Forgot to ask, what’s the bike in your avatar pic? Looks sort of like a Marin or older Klein full-susser. Just curious because I’m also a bit mad on bikes (currently cut back to owning “only” three…)


I’m going to leave the dashboard in place I think, but the front door cards will be off this weekend if the weather allows. Wish I’d thought to take photos when I was doing the rear 3/4 panels as “progress” pics. And if there’s anywhere I can easily access behind the dash without removing it then I’ll do what I can.

I’m really trying to avoid the “crank up the stereo” option (even though it’s the easiest) – I like driving without tunes a lot of the time, lets you hear what the car’s doing much better IMO.

 

[st10587]

its a ellsworth joker. http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=151390&page=2 its at the bottom of that thread!!

 

[a11y]

its a ellsworth joker. http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=151390&page=2 its at the bottom of that thread!!

Nice, I'm just about to add my own pics to that other thread

 

[mgrays]

Can take dash out .. but hard work .. ends off dash, steering column drop, rip whole of central vents/radio stack out to get to some bolts.. out it comes.

Easy .. no .. sensible for creaks.. better off stuffing bits of foam and rubber into squeak areas. Helps if someone drives while you push bits with hands to stop the squeaks.. then add foam/rubber.

 

[SlamDnB]

Hi,
I am putting a sub into my Ibiza now, I can't find anywhere to run the power cable through the bulkhead apart from the grommet in the top right hand side of the engine bay. Is this where you ran your power cable?
If it is, do you have any tips on what parts of the interior I need to disassemble to access the grommet on the other side?

Thanks,
Stu

 

[tomo336]

That grommet is the place most people put the wire through. You need to remove the top part of the glove box and reach all the way to the back behind the insulation. If you lift up the plastic trim infront of the bonnet you'll see there is a second grommet behind the one you've found in the engine bay. That's the grommet you'll need to remove.

Here's a link to the audio thread I used to find this out recently.
seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=256932