As we all know our hamble little minis are full of little annoying rattles. I hate them!! Today I decided to remove the dash and to my suprise I found a loose bolt. For those playing along at home the bolt is located on a little bracket that holds what I hink is an aircon recirculation vent. So to anyone else who has a ratlle in the front centre of the dash this may be a solution!!
First remove the plastic covers on the side of the dash (see pic). you will find two screws on each side.
Next remove the two screws above the tacho (if you are outside of Australia this will be your speedo) the dash should now come off with little effort. You may need to realse the steering whell adjusment lever to pull the dash over the steering wheel. Now find the bolt described above and tighten it. Any problems PM me!!
I had the same problem. Sounded like a pen in a plastic cup being shaken. This is a known problem by MINI and they will generally fix it under warrenty. Definately in the first 12 months. Interesting how easy you make dash removal sound. How long did it take you. MINI reckoned it was a three hour job .
It is very easy to remove the dash...just like how it was described by TheBert.. I did that two weekends ago but I didnt cehck the bolt... I added some felt tape where the AC vent is and the dash... and rattles seem to be a lot less... if it comes back I might have to check that bolt!
I also removed my dash and add felt tape to EVERYWEHRE As stated above, it is not really a difficult job. Besides, I did not remove my tachometer; adjusting the steering wheel to the lowest level allowed me to just slide the dash cover. Oh, and how cheap is that material that is used for the cover!!!!
I sorted out two more rattles. One was coming from the sunroof cassette... Just the plastic part that lines the interior. I guess when they replaced the cassette, they did not fit that part well. With some extra foam, the rattle is gone...
Here is a little difficult one... The rattle I am having fom the dash right now is coming from the part that is in between the windshield and the dashcover. Right at the edge where the UV sensor is located, the plastic is touching the parts under the windshield. Does anyone know how to remove that part? I searched quite a bit but could not find anything. I tried to put some foam and/or felttape under that region; however, the area is too tight and I was not very patient. I managed to get some material under that plastic part, even though I think it will not prevent the rattle for a long time...
For the next weekend's project, I would like to remove the plastic part between the dash cover and windshield -if I can find any instructions. While I am there, I will also check that bolt TheBert reported to be loose....
GRRR tell me about it. I have those annoying rattles too.
I've got one coming from the passenger side at the front. I can't really pinpoint it and it doesn't always stop when I'm risking my life leaning over to pull the door handle (not the one to open it, the one to pull it closed) to see if that stops the rattle.
It seems to be much less apparant when I HAVE a passenger which would suggest either the seat or something very near.
I also have a VERY annoying metallic rattle from the front somewhere that people have suggested is the Exhaust shield. It happens between 1.5 and 3k RPM. BMW Williams in Liverpool have already failed to find the fault however after my first TLC, the problem seemed to go away, then it came back.
I'm booked in again on 23rd to get a complete new Interior light fitted because the button fell out !!! (imagine that, the left hand interior light button falls out, the small clip broken and they have to replace the entire unit). I've asked them to do a road test with me driving to try find this fault so I think I'll take advantage of comfy leather sofas and free coffee at BMW Williams, Liverpool whilst they're doing the other work
i had a squeaky rattle coming from the area of the glove box. Tech had a look yesterday and came to the conclusion after driving over the roughest surfaces we could find, that the rear of the glove box was vibrating against the heater unit. A roll of foam backed sticky tape was employed along the back of the glove box. The rattle went away immediately. However during the drive this morning to work, its returned with vengance!
its going to go back in next week and i might remove the glove box myself (wonder why its called glove box? i dont keep my gloves in it!!!!!!)
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. Cheers! 
As stated above, it is not really a difficult job. Besides, I did not remove my tachometer; adjusting the steering wheel to the lowest level allowed me to just slide the dash cover. Oh, and how cheap is that material that is used for the cover!!!!
