Dashboard rattle

[Steve Blackdog]

Hi Folks,

My E53 X5 3.0D Sport has developed a jiggling rattle.  One of the great things about Beemers is how solid and rattle free they are, so a rattle is driving me nuts >:(

It is a squeaky plastic on plastic sort of noise which is triggered by jolts through the suspension.  I think it may have started a month or so ago when we hit a nasty pot hole - but that could be post-rationalisation on my part.

It appears to be from the top of the dash on the far left.  My fear is that something has come loose around the front airbag or speaker.  I can't make the rattle stop by pressing anywhere.

I can't see whether there is any way of getting inside the dash board via the glove box. 

Any ideas anyone?

Cheers

Steve

[Greydog]

Difficult to identify when you cant hear the noise. It may sound silly but have you emptied all the cubby's and storage areas just in case? My car always seems quieter after I've cleaned the inside?
Just a thought have you checked that the trim covering the brake fluid cabin filter etc just under the bonnet that's held by half turn clips if a couple are loose or broken that may be the cause.

[Jayx5]

Could the speaker on the dash come loose with a pot hole or the torch in the glove box loose?

[Steve Blackdog]

Both sensible suggestions. I will have a good clear out and see if I can see anything.

Cheers

Steve

[Steve Blackdog]

UPDATE:

Good news.  I popped the bonnet up and looked for rattles. Not sure exactly what it was, as I made sure there was nothing obviously loose when the bonnet went down, but when I drove off the rattle was gone. Around 80 miles cross country later and still no rattle, so all good.

Thanks particularly to Greydog for his sensible advice to look under the bonnet.

Cheers

Steve

[Greydog]

Glad its fixed, my next "sensible" suggestion was ear plugs!!