After 2 attempts by the dealer to stop the creaking noise, the sound is still there. It sounds like 2 pieces of Styrofoam rubbing together when riding over bumps in the road (well, now potholes!). I can tell you exactly where it is coming from. On the top of the dash in the front by the windshield, there is an insert in the top of the dash. It has the vent louvers for the front defroster and there's some raised plastic thingy in the center. Some type of sensor, I presume.
In cold weather, and believe me, we're having our share here in North Jersey, that plastic insert must contract measurably, because this does not happen in the summer heat. But I've been riding around now for a couple of months in the cold weather and the creaking continues, even after the cabin warms up. When driving on a bumpy road, the friction of the insert against the front attachment area by the glass is the source of the creak. You can put pressure on the insert while you're driving and the noise stops. I don't understand how the folks at the dealer can't correct this.
Anyway, I'm reaching out to anyone out there who may know of the insert piece I'm describing and how I can lift it up and out and try to repair this creak myself. The creak source is clearly closest to the windshield, not the area closest to the driver. And it is only on the driver's side, not the passenger side. I'm thinking of some weather striping along the front area where the insert must first tilt into before lowering the piece closest to me. That should cause the fit to be more snug or at a minimum, silence the friction made when going over bumps. Does that piece just snap in? I don't see screws so I'm going to assume it's simply a pressure fit or snaps into the dash somehow. I just don't want to bust and tabs or mark it up lifting the piece up.
Sure would appreciate any advice. Thanks.
Ercole