Thanks to all those who offered advice with the central locking installation on the Fabia. The kit worked a treat - it took a whole day, and there were a couple of moments when I thought I'd bitten off more than I could chew - but it was all well in the end and it works a treat.

Just a quick one now - ever since the dealer changed the centre air grille on the dashboard before Christmas we have had an intermittent creaking noise coming from the dash. I took it back and they "fixed" it, but it restarted just after Christmas. I then "cured" it myself with a small piece of black rubber wedged inconspicuously between the dash and the windscreen in the centre - but bizarrely enough the creaking has appeared again since installing the central locking kit (who knows if they are connected). It sounds like plastic rubbing together and eminates from the centre of the dash - more annoying than anything else.

Any ideas - any experience - any suggestions of things to tighten up, etc.?

Thanks to all those who offered advice with the central locking installation on the Fabia. The kit worked a treat - it took a whole day, and there were a couple of moments when I thought I'd bitten off more than I could chew - but it was all well in the end and it works a treat.

Just a quick one now - ever since the dealer changed the centre air grille on the dashboard before Christmas we have had an intermittent creaking noise coming from the dash. I took it back and they "fixed" it, but it restarted just after Christmas. I then "cured" it myself with a small piece of black rubber wedged inconspicuously between the dash and the windscreen in the centre - but bizarrely enough the creaking has appeared again since installing the central locking kit (who knows if they are connected). It sounds like plastic rubbing together and eminates from the centre of the dash - more annoying than anything else.

Any ideas - any experience - any suggestions of things to tighten up, etc.?[/quote:3d593488da]

Yes let me guess, if you belt it hard in the centre it goes away for a while. Or if you press down just above the central air vent, in the centre of the dash it stops.

If its the same as mine its extremely annoying and drives you mad. My dealer couldn't sort it either.

What you need to do is this:

Carefully remove the central air vent by lifting it out starting at the corners. Its only held in by clips and should come out easily enough..

With this removed look behind and you will see a metal dash mounting bracket. The dash is held in place here.

A small piece of foam or sound proofing felt wedged securely in here should stop the noise.

My Fabia has suffered from a couple of creaks, but i have managed to cure them fortunately.

I hope this helps.

Good grief - Mr. Fabia TDi ... it sounds like we've got the same car?! Yes - a good old whack in the centre of the dash does resolve it short term, as does the firm pressing down (I had it fixed with my rubber wedge for a while). Part of me thought it might be wires pulling against something.

I shall certainly try what you suggest - I've had the centre vent out this morning trying to sort it out and did fiddle around in there. But I didn't wedge the mount specifically, so hopefully that will do the job. Is the mount in between the two air holes?

Many thanks.

Good grief - Mr. Fabia TDi ... it sounds like we've got the same car?! Yes - a good old whack in the centre of the dash does resolve it short term, as does the firm pressing down (I had it fixed with my rubber wedge for a while). Part of me thought it might be wires pulling against something.

I shall certainly try what you suggest - I've had the centre vent out this morning trying to sort it out and did fiddle around in there. But I didn't wedge the mount specifically, so hopefully that will do the job. Is the mount in between the two air holes?

Many thanks.[/quote:1c664845b8]

What you have to do is wedge the foam (or whatever you use) [i:1c664845b8]between[/i:1c664845b8] the metal of the bracket and the part of the dash thats located into it.

If youv'e taken the air vent out you cant miss the bracket - its quite far back though. If i remember, i used a long screwdriver to push the foam into place. It needs to be a snug fit.

I wonder how many other fabia owners are cursing their dash boards :lol:

Thanks again - I really appreciate it. Just one last question (and sorry to sound like a plum) but are you referring to only taking out the rectangular double vent thingy from the dash (with the hazard lights switch), or do I also need to somehow move/disconnect the air tubes which are positioned to feed into the back of it when it is in position?

Thanks again - I really appreciate it. Just one last question (and sorry to sound like a plum) but are you referring to only taking out the rectangular double vent thingy from the dash (with the hazard lights switch), or do I also need to somehow move/disconnect the air tubes which are positioned to feed into the back of it when it is in position?[/quote:e3484d0a9e]

As far as i can remember you dont need to disturb the air feed tubes.

Just take out the double air vent assembly (with the hazard lights switch)

This is what you take out..

[img:e3484d0a9e]http://hpbimg.fabiatdi.com/Dash.jpg[/img:e3484d0a9e]

You might need a torch to see the support bracket, but it should be visible. The bracket is unpainted and about two inches below the surface of the dash.

I think the bracket is positioned between the air feed tubes, before they connect to the back of the dash vents.

Good luck!

Well, I did it this afternoon ... and went for an enjoyable creak free drive. Fingers crossed it lasts. Many, many thanks ...

Glad to be of assistance!

Crikey!

I had exactly the same problem. I didn't have this on my first Fabia, what have they done in production to cause all these creaks on so many Fabia's?