Rattling noises in '91-'94 Explorers due to BASS from subs? What can I do about it?

[Audio Warlock]

Whut up all, it'z me again askin' another question. I have a '92 Ford Explorer and I know that my subs will rattle stuff within the car, but I need to know exactle what will it be, how can I fix it, and approximately how much will it cost? If you know of any websites where I can find this info or you know it yourself just go ahead and reply, I would really appreciate it.

Peace Out,
Audio Warlock

 

[mrsteve]

The most popular cure for rattles is something called Dynamat. Depending on the level you get (original, super, ultimate) the thickness will change. Basically its a big sheet of this stuff that you stick under the trim panels, not on the panel it self but on the metal under the panel. Depending on which type you get and how much you'll need it can get expensive. When I first replaced my stock speakers I needed to add Dynamat on my doors and behind my rear speakers so stop the rattles. Then when I added my subs my rear hatch rattled like crazy. For a little while I just ignored it. Then I decided to cover my entire rear cargo area with Dynamat. I've got ultimate on the rear hatch, and original on the rear quarter panels and the cargo floor. No more rattles, well except for the rear windshield wiper but there's not much I can do for that. I believe the door kits were like $35 each, then the speaker kits for my rear speakers were something like $12 each, and I got a deal on the stuff in the cargo area and it cost me like $90. Let me tell you though that every car is different in the amount it rattles. At first when I had Pioneer 6x8's in my front doors only the driver side would rattle, then I got the Infinitys and both rattled. It's all gonna depend on the speaker and your particular Explorer. Hope this helps.

Steve

 

[Audio Warlock]

Thanks so much man, this helps me out more than you know. I didn't even know what that stuff was called, but now I do and I have approximate costs and all! I knew for sure too that the back hatch was gonna rattle just like you said. Now that I know what that stiff is called I'm gonna go find out where I can get it and get my entire Explorer set and ready to thump with that stuff and I won't hear anymore rattling! Once again thanks alot!

Peace Out,
Audio Warlock

 

[mrsteve]

Best Buy is the cheapest place to get it. Every Best Buy carries the original Dynamat, if you want the higher end stuff you may have to go to a car audio store but sometimes they'll have some of the better stuff. The original should do you just fine though.

 

[Exploder99]

DYNAMAT

dynamat works well but there are downsides to the product. first off, its very expensive. secondly, its gonna make your car stink like rotten roof tar! ughh. a cheap and effective alternative: Get a can or two of $3 rubber undercoating at your parts store, then get one of those eggcrate mattress cushions. yah know, those spongy things you put on your bed. spray the undercoating, then cut the foam and place it behind the panels. this will reduce the rattling, and it will seal it out so you cant hear it inside the car. i did this after i broke the bumper cover off of my other car. wont cost much and cant hurt to make your interior less noisy.

 

[mrsteve]

I've had no problems with funky smells in my Explorer.

 

[Audio Warlock]

Oh, I didn't know you could get that stuff at Best Buy mrsteve, thanks for telling me. That's cool cause there is a Best Buy not too far from my house! I'm gonna try Dynamat first and if that doesn't do the trick or if it smells or sumpin I'm gonna go with that other alternative Exploder99. I appreciate ya'll helpin me out!

Peace Out,
Audio Warlock

 

[JTang]

Also try partsexpress.com for that stuff. They sell Dynamat, but they also sell a generic brand for way cheaper. It's the exact same stuff, but it might be in their Speaker cabinet area or something, because they sell it to be stuck inside home speakers.

Jon

 

[rock883]

What do you guys think about spray on stuff? It seems a lot cheaper than the sheets compared to how much area it can cover. Also, soundomain.com has some dampening paste, which is $45 for a gallon which can cover 20 sq. ft. Although it probably could be a bit difficult to apply all the paste, but my dad was a wall paper hanger and did a lot with spreading out pastes and all, so he could probably help me out there. On the sounddomain.com description of the paste it says:"offers twice the damping ability over asphalt based damping materials" and dynamat is asphalt based. Also, wasn't there some other stuff that was supposedly just as good as dynamat, but cheaper, and came in a huge roll? I will check for that on this site.

 

[Audio Warlock]

I have never hear dof the spray-on stuff plus it sounds hard to apply so I think I will go with the Dynamat, but I may have to check that spray-on stuff out cause that sounds interesting! If Dynamat is too expensive for me I may just go with some generic brand, but for now I will stick with Dynamat. Thanks alot all you guys for helping!

Peace Out,
Audio Warlock

 

[JTang]

It doesn't matter what you use at all. The only think you need it to do is weigh down your panels so they won't shake. You could use whatever you want, in whatever form. The sprays and pastes are nice because you can add more to certain areas if you want, but then it's more difficult to apply and not as neat. Car audio competitors have filled their doors with lead and concrete even.

There is generic "Dynamat" as well. At partsexpress.com, you can get all these types. The smaller sheets are about the same price, but if you get the larger rolls, like the 32"x54" then it's cheaper. If you get multiple rolls they give you more discounts. The 32x54 is like $17.90 (part# 268-020).

The super generic low budget method is nothing more than industrial roofing material (such as Iceguard) which can be had for a few bucks, but then you're taking home enough for probably 4 or 5 cars. However, this is a highly based asphalt ingredient and your car will smell like asphalt for a while from two weeks to a month.

The paste offers twice as much damping ability because it's a little heavier, but mostly because they'll tell you to put about twice the thickness of the thinnest version of Dynamat, so it's really just the same. If you break down the glamrous descriptions here's what you get: "A mineral-filled polymer (made of many "ingredients") that transforms vibration into thermal energy with an aggressive adhesive." What does this mean? It means the stuff is really sticky, it has asphalt rocks in it, and since energy cannot be created or destroyed (due to the laws of physics) any moving energy will be absorbed and transormed into heat, but that would happen with anything, it could been Jello Pudding and the laws of physics would work on it. It's the exact same way Microwaves work in essence. You put food in, and electrons are shot at it, absorbed by the food which causes heat.

There's your physics lesson for the day too!

Just use whatever you feel most comfortable with, and that won't break your bankbook.

Jon

[Edited by JTang on 11-27-2000 at 11:15 PM]

 

[flyguy]

Hmmm... in my 94 the most rattles I have are with stuff I leave in the back, or the glass on the back rattles a little.. nothing I can really do about that though. I also used the paint on Noise Killer on my panels and doors... didnt do anything though... cept make a mess. If it did... my truck is too noisy to tell. heh. What helped the most.. is that I opened all my panels and ripped off all that plastic stuff in there... that stuff makes a ton of noise when the sub goes off... yup.

nick

 

[Fast Eddie]

Has anybody tried the insulating foam that is used to seal around doors and windows in houses? Also, I found an outfit in Canada that has a matt like dynamat for $1 a sq ft. Look at http://www.sounddeadeningmaterial.com/

 

[Audio Warlock]

Damn, I never thought this many people would reply to this, but I guess more is better! I have so many different things to choose from now I don't know what to do! (Actually I do. but you know what I mean.) I learned alot about this stuff too now so I won't have any troubles puttin' it in my Explorer! Thanks everybody!

Peace Out,
Audio Warlock

 

[EB Bauer]

I know bass can be pretty wiggly, but have you ever tried useing trout or salmon? I hear they are pretty good but can get a funky smell over time. Sorry......I got bored and this needed some dry crappy humor.

 

[rock883]

I went on ebay to see if anyone had some sound dampning stuff. I remembered the b-quiet stuff, and someone on ebay has this stuff, here's a link: Dead Link Removed
he says he has a whole lot fo this stuff, and it seems pretty cheap. And then, here is alink to the paste that someone has on ebay, for pretty cheap as well: Dead Link Removed

Any sugestions?

 

[flyguy]

coolness. I bid on it. so none of you *******s outbid me ya hear?

nick

 

[B94Sport]

You also might want to check out http://www.teamrocs.com/technical/pages/sound_proofing.htm
to get some more ideas. I used this page extensively when I soundproofed my Explorer, and now it's nearly silent at 65MPH, except for some noise from the engine, mirrors, and exhaust, which I am still working on fixing. The page has a lot of different methods of soundproofing listed (such as Mats, Sprays, Foams, Insulations), and also lists some of the most effective areas to use these methods and the pros and cons.

I soundproofed my cargo area and dampened my speaker compartments first, but believe me... If you do it right and you can afford it, you'll want the whole truck done once you notice the difference.

 

[rock883]

Hey guys, me again, I went searching and found some more products. I am including all the ones I have found, including ones mentioned on this site.

http://www.b-quiet.com
http://www.l-mat.com
Dead Link Removed
http://www.sounddeadeningmaterial.com/

Then of course dynamat, don't have their site. But, this is what I have found. The l-mat seems interesting, I was going to get the "free" sample, but the "free" sample is $3.50. They also have different types, the original, super, and m-mat I believ are the names. I posted this on the sounddomain.com forum, and asked if they have used any of these things, we'll see what they say.

 

[Nate46290]

I would not recomend the spary stuff. Sure it works but you have to buy so much of is to cover such a small area. Plus it takes like 2 weeks to dry completly. I would go with dynomat. High temp mastix is much cheaper. It is sorta like the westeren family of this stuff. Its bacicly the same stuff but with no logo. Way cheaper, i sugest this would be the way to go.