Dashboard rattle

[Cortina1975 29]

Hi all,

 

I have a dashboard on my 75 Cortina that has all kinds of rattles and buzzing sounds that I can't seem to find the source of that is slowly driving me crazy.  

 

I've taken out the instrument cluster and glovebox  but still can't find it. They seem to be coming from near the air vents and the around the heater controls but i can't find anything loose. Does anyone know what the fix is?

 

I've sorted the vibrations from around the gearbox by changing the mount back to the Ford one but this problem remains 

 

Thanks for any replies :)

[sheffieldcortinacentre 741]

There's a support at the bulkhead in the centre, also a locating lug for the air blender box ,also make sure the screen ducts are secure & have the rubber pads on them.

Are the heater cables secure, also the centre tube for the eyeball vents.

Are the hazards & hrw relays secure.

[Cortina1975 29]

17 hours ago, sheffieldcortinacentre said:

There's a support at the bulkhead in the centre, also a locating lug for the air blender box ,also make sure the screen ducts are secure & have the rubber pads on them.

Are the heater cables secure, also the centre tube for the eyeball vents.

Are the hazards & hrw relays secure.

Thanks Sir Craig . Do I need to take out the air blender box to check the lug ?. I can't see any rubber pads on the screen ducts..do they go underneath them ?

Heater cables seem secure ...I know the foam  on the heater flaps was missing but the  buzzing doesn't go away if i move the heater controls 

Hazard relay seems to be okay

Edited April 21, 2025 by Cortina1975

[sheffieldcortinacentre 741]

The pads are between the duct & bulkhead held in with 2 screws.

Try pulling the box down at the front , it locates at the bulkhead then held by a screw/bolt just under bottom of dash in the centre.

Is the dash surround tight, also the ashtray brackets & radio rear support bracket ( if original), centre speaker in dash.

Dash crash pad tight? Steering column tight?does it have a choke cable?

Just thought is the heater box tight in engine bay.

I presume it has the long console with clock in end, is this all secure?( There are 2 screws under the clock if you pull it out).

[Cortina1975 29]

On 4/21/2025 at 12:31 PM, sheffieldcortinacentre said:

The pads are between the duct & bulkhead held in with 2 screws.

Try pulling the box down at the front , it locates at the bulkhead then held by a screw/bolt just under bottom of dash in the centre.

Is the dash surround tight, also the ashtray brackets & radio rear support bracket ( if original), centre speaker in dash.

Dash crash pad tight? Steering column tight?does it have a choke cable?

Just thought is the heater box tight in engine bay.

I presume it has the long console with clock in end, is this all secure?( There are 2 screws under the clock if you pull it out).

Thanks Dr Craig . Those pads seem to be in place and tight. No rear support on the radio ..the set I have is only fixed by the spindles ..but it rattled  just as bad with no wireless fitted. I fitted a bigger 8x5 dash speaker with a bit of ply from an old cupboard but it didn't make the buzzing worse..

Where are the bolts for the dash crash pad?

Heater box seems to be screwed down tight but the foam all turned to mush.

All tight on steering column...yeh has a choke cable think it's the original 

Will check the clock in the centre console but the sound doesn't seem to come from there..seems like it's right behind the radio but I can't feel anything vibrating

 

Previous owner hacked away the dash panel to fit a PYE radio so I had to remake a bracket to hold the new spindles mount  radio in...was wondering if this made the dash rattly 

 

Edited April 22, 2025 by Cortina1975

[sheffieldcortinacentre 741]

Wouldn't have thought so. Its bolted in along the bottom edge, curl your fingers around the edge.

A pair in each corner were the eyeball vents are, then 3 or 4 along top just above glovebox, clocks, heater controls.

10 mm nuts be careful as metal can be very sharp on dash frame.

This sorta thing can be a nightmare to find & drive you crazy.

[Cortina1975 29]

On 4/22/2025 at 10:18 PM, sheffieldcortinacentre said:

Wouldn't have thought so. Its bolted in along the bottom edge, curl your fingers around the edge.

A pair in each corner were the eyeball vents are, then 3 or 4 along top just above glovebox, clocks, heater controls.

10 mm nuts be careful as metal can be very sharp on dash frame.

This sorta thing can be a nightmare to find & drive you crazy.

 

Thanks Dr Craig . I managed to cut through some tendons in my hand doing some welding repairs to a Talbot motorhome.   .   (drilling some sheet that spun)  so been out of action for a while .so no progress on the Cortina. Back now and that rattle is still there!. Tightened all the crash pad nuts but no different. 

 

I was looking at ebay mk3's and found this 1976 model with what looks like a stiffener between the bulkhead and scuttle panel that mine doesn't have . Could that have been fitted by Uncle  Henry to stop the scuttle  panel rattle ? . Was thinking of tek screwing something in place but i dont want to start making holes if it doesnt work  

 

I

Th

[Cortina1975 29]

Now i'm totally confused as this mk5 doesn't have the stiffener fitted 

[Cortina1975 29]

Mk4 has it..can't be a dealer fit piece surely 

[sheffieldcortinacentre 741]

It's fitted to some estates for some reason.same for the pieces between inner wing & wing mounting rail.

Edited September 8, 2025 by sheffieldcortinacentre