Dash Squeak Diagnosis

Hey guys! I recently purchased a 2000 Limited 2WD Access Cab with 175,000 miles on it. I have it torn apart for installing a new head unit and wiring up a rear camera, but while I'm at it I decided to try and tackle this really annoying and loud squeak from the upper part of the dash by the windshield.

I know the typical fix has been to add a foam backer rod between the windshield and the dash, but I wanted to see what's actually making the noise. I've searched like crazy but haven't found too much information.

There are a few things I see:

1. Felt missing between the air vent and the dash, where you can see that the adhesive let go (hard to see in the picture, but there's only one still attached)
2. A poorly designed clip for mounting the dash against the firewall
3. Phalic post design - I mean did they really have to make them pink?

I really think the noise is coming from those clips. Does anyone have any information on these? Was there a TSB for this ever, or a redesign of these clips? The odd thing is, the ball of the pink post on the dash doesn't bottom out in the socket of the clip, so you can see where the two thin tabs on each side have been wearing down on the far left and right side. On the three middle ones there is no wear, but you can also see some felt wrapped around a couple of them, and the one tab almost seems to be melted, which makes me think someone was in there trying to fix this.

I'm going to stop over at the local Toyota dealer to have them look up the parts since I can't find any fiche detailed enough online and go from there. I might try to repair those tabs too, or cut down the other ones and add some Super Lube to the clips when I re-install.

If anyone has solved this issue before, let me know, thanks!
EDIT: My solution in post #13

 

The issue is with the rubbing of those plastic clips against the firewall from what I was told. Wouldn’t you have to tear apart the dash to get to all of them? Not worth it IMO. Solution for me is the following…
https://youtu.be/j8CcTYsMHYU

Looks like you have the dash torn apart, so might as well throw some thick grease on them and be done with it.

 

Haha. Yup, dash has to be torn out. Took a while, but I love these older vehicles in how straight forward they are to work on. Now if I remember where all of the screws and bolts go...

 

So how many dash clips are there? Are they just right across the top of the dash or do they go deep into it?

 

Just right across the dash. There are 5 total. The left and right two are orange, the middle is white and the post design on the dash is different there.

 

I suspect those tiny penises are the cause of all your problems, but I'm not 1st Gen qualified to say for sure.

 

Most of us fixed the dash squeak by stuffing backer rod between the glass and dash. It worked for me and I only get the occasional noise now.

 

Glad I'm not the only one who sees little dicks. Also glad mine doesn't seem to make said noises. Is this strictly an earlier-model issue?

 

Ive got tactical card stock wedged into the gaps to quell the squeaking in the sequoia.

 

My '06 had the rattle as well. Backer Rod cleared it up 95% of the time

 

I feel like there should be a dedicated thread about this!

 

What size backer rod did you use?

 

Alright, so far this has been a complete success. Absolutely no noise from the dash, only noises now are from the trim on the rear access cab doors.

I used

$7 Tesa 51036 Mercedes, BMW, Audi, VW

Tesa 51036 cloth electrical tape in various areas as shown, and hopefully it holds up. I put it under the clips, on the places the dash interfaces with those clips, on some other plastic that seems like it would contact the dash, around the center instrument panel edges (not pictured), and added some silicone to the pegs on the dash.

 

Glad I found this thread. Going to try this tomorrow on my ‘06 dc.

 

I have the rattle and it’s pretty annoying when idling.

I’m not sure I’m ready to tear the dash out though.

I’m going to bookmark this in case I go nuts one day and tear into it.

 

Consider this fix in the meantime, no teardown required.

 

1/2" is what I used.

 

I’m getting noise under the passenger airbag on the dash. If I put my hand on it while driving the noise goes away. If I push on it it makes the noise

 

Have you already tried the backer rod trick?

 

There is a fastener that holds the bottom of the airbag. I’m assuming yours is loose or the dealership tech didn’t reinstall it after finishing the recall.

@daveeasa can post pictures of this maybe; he has some, somewhere here on the forum, from when he was working on his.

 

I recall - I think it was you - complaining about one bolt or fastener that was a PITA to get to. I swore you posted pictures of the one that was a problem, from your truck. Killing me I can’t find it now…

 

I don’t think I got a good photo. There was one which required two finger mobility to remove and replace. But the wrench worked, just that once it was loose the wrench is/was not helpful due to lack of friction. So, to just tighten, a wrench per the diagram should work.

 

Thank you all for the help, ended up finding an old pair of cheap sunglasses that were sandwiched between the back of the glove box and the plastic cover behind it. That plastic on plastic would rattle so much. I tightened all the bolts.
It is so much quieter.

 

I have some squeaks cropping up on mine. Sounds like front end suspension squeak and also the dash is rattling above the glove box. May need to try this backer rod fix again. Last time I think I used 3/8" and it didn't do much to solve the rattle. Will try 1/2" backer rod.