Third brake light causing rattle - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

BIL90 · 03-18-2014, 08:44 PM

Just installed a subwoofer and the rear windshield significantly rattles now during some notes of bass. I started to track down what exactly was causing it and found it was due to the third brake light rattling against the window. Does anyone know how to lower the third brake light, even the slightest bit? I pressed down on it with my hand and the rattle immediately disappeared.

Drive · 03-18-2014, 08:46 PM

I have the same issue.

BIL90 · 03-18-2014, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drive

I have the same issue.

Do u just deal with it? If I can't find a way to lower it, I may try and squeeze a small rubber strip between the two. Hopefully that might work. It's driving me nuts!

dnieves · 03-18-2014, 09:06 PM

How about double sided foam tape? It'll stay put and cushion at the same time!

ericmpena · 03-18-2014, 09:42 PM

Mine had this issue after getting a sub. I tried to wedge some rubber stoppers between the 3rd brake light and back windshield. It fixed the problem, but then one day I saw my 3rd brake light had warped under the pressure from the rubber stoppers. I removed the rubber stoppers and also found out that they had partially melted to the rear windshield...

I ended up pressing the 3rd brake light enclosure back together and then just dealing with the rattle. I've been wanting to get like Dynamat or something similar, but I just haven't had the time.

buzznasa · 03-18-2014, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnieves

How about double sided foam tape? It'll stay put and cushion at the same time!

That is similar to what I used. Build thread here. Some door trim insulation around the third light and it has been silent ever since and my sub shakes the whole car.

BIL90 · 03-18-2014, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzznasa

That is similar to what I used. Build thread here. Some door trim insulation around the third light and it has been silent ever since and my sub shakes the whole car.

Thanks for the idea! Where did u pick up the insulation from?

buzznasa · 03-19-2014, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIL90

Thanks for the idea! Where did u pick up the insulation from?

Home Depot... $3

Not that I am a cheap bastard but I like to save money when I can

*edit* My wife wants me to clarify that I am indeed a cheap bastard

BIL90 · 03-19-2014, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzznasa

Home Depot... $3

Not that I am a cheap bastard but I like to save money when I can

*edit* My wife wants me to clarify that I am indeed a cheap bastard

Thanks! How did u put it on? Did u just slide the top portion of the light or did u remove the whole rear deck and base of the light?

Tromatic · 03-19-2014, 12:37 AM

Turn down the one-note bass?

993Fan · 03-19-2014, 12:52 AM

Don't fix it!

As soon as you fix it, you'll hear the next thing that's rattling which will be much harder to fix or ignore...

buzznasa · 03-19-2014, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIL90

Thanks! How did u put it on? Did u just slide the top portion of the light or did u remove the whole rear deck and base of the light?

Had to unbolt and lower the amp to get to the bolts holding the third brake light in. Pulled light assembly off of rear deck, installed insulation on the light (not the rear window), trimmed with a fresh razor, and reinstalled everything. Took a little time but the results were worth it.

dnieves · 03-19-2014, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzznasa

That is similar to what I used. Build thread here. Some door trim insulation around the third light and it has been silent ever since and my sub shakes the whole car.

Here's another one that's temperature proof -clear silicon!

buzznasa · 03-19-2014, 10:23 AM

03-18-2014, 08:44 PM	#1
BIL90 Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S Location: Kailua, HI Posts: 51 Thanks: 8 Thanked 23 Times in 12 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Third brake light causing rattle Just installed a subwoofer and the rear windshield significantly rattles now during some notes of bass. I started to track down what exactly was causing it and found it was due to the third brake light rattling against the window. Does anyone know how to lower the third brake light, even the slightest bit? I pressed down on it with my hand and the rattle immediately disappeared.

03-18-2014, 08:46 PM	#2
Drive Crickets... Join Date: Dec 2013 Drives: FR-S 10 Series Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 199 Thanks: 41 Thanked 53 Times in 35 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have the same issue. __________________ Smile on every turn.

03-19-2014, 10:23 AM	#14
buzznasa LOL PWR Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: Whiteout FR-S; Scion tC Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 279 Thanks: 284 Thanked 368 Times in 106 Posts Mentioned: 56 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	__________________ It's not a midlife crisis if you never grow up.

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03-18-2014, 09:06 PM	#4
dnieves Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Drives: FR-S 10 Series Location: NY Posts: 1,062 Thanks: 615 Thanked 347 Times in 251 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	How about double sided foam tape? It'll stay put and cushion at the same time!

03-19-2014, 12:37 AM	#10
Tromatic Banned Join Date: May 2013 Drives: FR-S Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,232 Thanks: 61 Thanked 1,728 Times in 786 Posts Mentioned: 19 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Turn down the one-note bass?

03-19-2014, 12:52 AM	#11
993Fan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Drives: 2014 DGM BRZ MT Location: SoCal Posts: 188 Thanks: 1 Thanked 120 Times in 57 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Don't fix it! As soon as you fix it, you'll hear the next thing that's rattling which will be much harder to fix or ignore...

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