I am taking the dash out tomorrow to eliminate one dash rattle that I have when its cold. Any suggestions on items that should be tightened or fixed while its out? Does anyone have any suggestions on making the dash removal task easy?

 

It's actually really easy and straight forward. If I were you, I'd replace the in cabin filter. What's your plan on fixing the rattle?

 

Taking the dash apart is pretty easy. Just make sure you do not force anything too much. i am not sure what exactly could rattle. Try to listen where the sound comes from.

 

Well its not exactly a rattle. Its more like a small knock. The sound seems to be coming from the top of the dash behind the cluster. What I have done is taken out as much as I can and driving the car to see what would eliminate the sound. When I took out the defroster vent grille the sound went away. From what I can see is happening the defroster vent grille is touching the ductwork beneath it and when the car is cold it makes the sound. Unfortunately the only real way to fix it, is by taking out the dash putting a foam strip on top of the duct and running the vent grill over a grinder and making the bottom smaller creating some clearance and allowing the foam to act as a isolator. While I have it removed I will look for other obvious things that it could be. Most likely I will foam alot of the contact areas.