Hi

 

Has anyone ever removed the large black/grey side trim panels in the rear, that run from C to D pillars ?

 

I've got a clear tapping/knocking sound  coming from the rear, which is gradually increasing in volume as time goes on, and it sounds like it's from behind that panel on the passenger side. Almost in the area where the rear seat belt reel would be mounted.

 

Had a very quick look yesterday but couldn;t see how it comes out - certainly looks like a big piece of trim.

 

Cheers!

Could it be a loose shock absorber or broken spring. Easier to checkfirst than removing the panel.

is this the panel you refer to ?

 

if so, as smokeyjoe says, there's not much behind here that could create an awful lot of noise,

 

to remove it, you first need to remove every other panel including the floor that butts against it, if you really want to remove it, I can upload more pics

 

 

Thanks for the replies.

 

I had already checked underneath for broken springs, broken up bushes, exhaust mountings etc etc but nothing obvious.

 

Then I noticed on a couple of drives that - just after prolonged, fast uphill stretches, the rattling/tapping noise changed noticeably, then slowly reverted to rattling/tapping again.

Thinking the only reason this could happen in that area of the car was due to exhaust temperature, I got back underneath again....and found the rearmost heatshield above the exhaust is loose on one corner fixing. Rattling it up and down with my hand replicated the noise exactly.

 

At least I know it's nothing particularly serious now, and I don't need to start ripping the interior out.

 

 

Edited 20 June, 20188 yr by muddyboots