Hello all,

First off, I'll throw out that I know this is my first post, but I do belong to a number of other 350Z forums. Unfortunately, the one I was going to post on is horribly littered by spam messages, so I figured it'd be better if I introduced myself here to see if I could get an answer.

Ok so a little background... I have a Lemans Sunset 2003 Track Edition 6-Speed 350Z. I absolutely love it.

Anyway, about two months ago, my friend and I installed (by ourselves) my two 10" JL Audio W3v3's in a custom made box under the strut bar. They are powered by a 700W Rockford Fosgate amp with 4 gauge wiring. Thus 350 watts each. And man does it hit!

Well at first, my mirror used to rattle horribly, but I managed to find a guide online to tear it apart, dynomat it, and put it back together. Well that worked amazingly. Now, however, I can hardly enough rap music (big bass) without all the darn rattling coming from the hatch. My belief is that the plastic panels that surround the glass hatch have come loose and are rattling. As well as that, I feel like my 3rd brake light might be adding to the cause.

I have a nice supply of dynamat available and I'd just really really like to fix the rattling. A buddy of mine has a Mustang with a 12" Type R in his trunk. Well on Mustangs the trunk is separate from the interior, thus rattling is not a problem for him. I used to always say mine sounded better, but in these past few months, I can't even enjoy bass anymore.

Please advise.

 

it just sounds like the bass has loosened everything up. try to narrow down the main rattle spot and throw some dynomat on it and see if it helps. Big bass is gonna do this, but to much dynomat is gonna add some weight...

 

So would you say that its a possibility it is that plastic outlining the hatch? And any idea how to remove that?

I'm removed all the other paneling before, basically all the glove box stuff, all the way up to the dash, I just haven't a clue how to remove those panels to get some dynamat in there.

 

look in the diy section for the rear wind shield wiper removal. they will show how to get the plastic hatch plastic off. just got to do a little searching.

 

i have had multiple 10W7s in my car and have had zero rattles.. dunno man.
Your car is an 03 tho, the plastic is KNOWN to be far thinner and flimsier all over the entire car in its first year. It was a huge revision by Nissan for 04 and on..

 

I too have a pair of 10's under my strut bar & no problems. How tight does your Zen Enclosure fit, I am wondering if this might be part of the problem.

 

^^ nah i think hes ta;lking about the ratt;les happening elsewhere in the car, and issues w that.. like i said tho, 03 plastic is known to be flimsy.. especially w the higher miles im sure hes roicking too.. old clips, broken clips etc.

 

As said above the DIYs in the interior/exterior section has topics that cover the removal of the hatch plastic. Just get a plastic pry tool (or like me I used a butter knife to remove mine several times without any problem. It pops out easily. Start from the area around the middle where the lock is. I have same subs (2 of them) in a Zenclosure (I mean made by Zenclosure). I have sound deadener all over the entire hatch area including the hatch. I have no rattles but if I hit louder I can see my glass vibrate. I don't see how you can stop "Vibration" of the glass when playing heavy bass unless you can defeat Physics

 

I wouldn't waste my time with that, first add some weather stripping or dynomat between the box and the strut tower brace/bar, a little behind the tag. if that doesn't help then add some on the hatch it self.

if all else fails, upgrade to w6's.. lol for some reason they just have less noise, rattle stuff less, and have greater bass

 

A Dynamat Extreme trunk kit and Dynamat on the hatch (metal and plastic) + Dynamat on 50% of the insides of all plastic trim panels in your hatch area and your rattle problems disappear. It takes forever and draws a ton of blood, but your car will be transformed .

This guy did it right.