Thanks for the welcome!!

[Robert Butherus]

I'm Bob Butherus, 2406 Ketch Court, Virginia Beach, VA. I have a 1996 Z3 (the Silver Bullet) with only 61,000 miles. I would appreciate help in fixing the rattles that come from the plastic storage box behind the seats. Thanks !!

 

[GazHyde]

Welcome Bob,

Sweet looking Z3 you have there, I'm sure a techy will offer some guidance on your rattles soon,

Gary

 

[Nifty Fifty]

I'm Bob Butherus, 2406 Ketch Court, Virginia Beach, VA. I have a 1996 Z3 (the Silver Bullet) with only 61,000 miles. I would appreciate help in fixing the rattles that come from the plastic storage box behind the seats. Thanks !!
View attachment 15960

Hi Bob, if you are talking about the centre top & lower storage bins between the seats then I'm afraid you have a bit of a task ahead of you!
I replaced the lower bin this year as it was looking really messy due to the previous owner sticking large circular air freshners on it and when replacing them the adhesive was pulling the final surface finish off with it.

So to to remove these or to get at the fixing screws / hinges, unfortunately you have to remove the whole section which if you have roll hoops these will also have to be removed first.
When I was doing the work I also doing work on the centre console so my seats were also out of the car which did give me a little extra room but I think this is not essential.
1. Remove the top box lid
2. Remove the trims around the roll hoops and the ones inside the top box which will then enable the hoops to be removed.( with hoop bolts out give the hoops a good pull as they can be a bit tough to get out)
3. Remove the screws behind the seats and on the top of the box section and then this whole section can be removed. See notes for the second pic.
4. With the whole bin section on the bench you can then then remove the inner top bin and the whole button release mechanism, which does look a little fiddly and contains some latches and bits which by the sounds could be your problem.
I enclose some pics which may be of help. Refitting is obviously the reverse sequence.

I would say allow plenty of time do not rush, take pics, a few cups of tea and a large bag of patience !
Best of luck and have fun.

I hope this may be of some assistance.
Andy





Above pic - you will need to remove the buttons and trim in the centre console ( the ones with hood & alarm) to reveal the 2 x fixings that hold the centre console to top storage box ( bottom right of pic)







Above pic is a View I think from the top of the bottom storage bin showing the release buttons & mechanism.

 

[Nifty Fifty]

Apologies for my earlier post I'm still learning on adding pics. The tops pics should not be before the words lol

 

[billz]

Hello and welcome. Good looking Zed

 

[Shelly]

Hi and welcome to the forum
From Bradwell near Great Yarmouth

 

[Zeti]

Welcome Bob!
We are some sort of "Brothers in Arms" because I own also a '96 Silver Bullet (with 100 000 miles)...
Enjoy the forum and the beautiful Summer!

 

[ZTec]

Hi and to the forum from Llantwit Major near Cardiff

 

[DavidM]

Welcome from Ireland!

 

[andyglym]

Welcome from West Cumbria, England. Good luck with fixing the rattles/squeaks, loads of good advice on here.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Hello and welcome from Cornwall. Best thing to sort cabin rattles is to turn the radio up a bit and sing your heart out

 

[Lilybet74]

I'm Bob Butherus, 2406 Ketch Court, Virginia Beach, VA. I have a 1996 Z3 (the Silver Bullet) with only 61,000 miles. I would appreciate help in fixing the rattles that come from the plastic storage box behind the seats. Thanks !!
View attachment 15960

Hi from Durham. Love the car. It's just like mine

Lisa

 

[Robert Butherus]

Hello and welcome from Cornwall. Best thing to sort cabin rattles is to turn the radio up a bit and sing your heart out

Thanks !! Eric Clapton and Styx have cleared the rattle !!

 

[Robert Butherus]

Welcome Bob,

Sweet looking Z3 you have there, I'm sure a techy will offer some guidance on your rattles soon,

Gary

Thanks Gary !!

 

[Robert Butherus]

Hi Bob, if you are talking about the centre top & lower storage bins between the seats then I'm afraid you have a bit of a task ahead of you!
I replaced the lower bin this year as it was looking really messy due to the previous owner sticking large circular air freshners on it and when replacing them the adhesive was pulling the final surface finish off with it.

So to to remove these or to get at the fixing screws / hinges, unfortunately you have to remove the whole section which if you have roll hoops these will also have to be removed first.
When I was doing the work I also doing work on the centre console so my seats were also out of the car which did give me a little extra room but I think this is not essential.
1. Remove the top box lid
2. Remove the trims around the roll hoops and the ones inside the top box which will then enable the hoops to be removed.( with hoop bolts out give the hoops a good pull as they can be a bit tough to get out)
3. Remove the screws behind the seats and on the top of the box section and then this whole section can be removed. See notes for the second pic.
4. With the whole bin section on the bench you can then then remove the inner top bin and the whole button release mechanism, which does look a little fiddly and contains some latches and bits which by the sounds could be your problem.
I enclose some pics which may be of help. Refitting is obviously the reverse sequence.

I would say allow plenty of time do not rush, take pics, a few cups of tea and a large bag of patience !
Best of luck and have fun.

I hope this may be of some assistance.
Andy


View attachment 15961

View attachment 15962
Above pic - you will need to remove the buttons and trim in the centre console ( the ones with hood & alarm) to reveal the 2 x fixings that hold the centre console to top storage box ( bottom right of pic)

View attachment 15963

View attachment 15964

View attachment 15965

Above pic is a View I think from the top of the bottom storage bin showing the release buttons & mechanism.

View attachment 15966

Andy, Thanks so much for the info, I'm going to give it a try !! Bob

 

[Robert Butherus]

Welcome from Ireland!

Thanks !! Bob

 

[Robert Butherus]

Hi from Durham. Love the car. It's just like mine

Lisa

Hi Lisa - Summer is here and the top is down !!

 

[Jack Ratt]

Thanks !! Eric Clapton and Styx have cleared the rattle !!

Styx and Eric are class acts but Bruce is the Boss

 

[Mrs Mint]

Hi Bob welcome from Mint's better half here in Staffordshire, enjoy your Z.

Pauline

 

[t-tony]

Styx and Eric are class acts but Bruce is the Boss

Nah, get yourself Roger Daltrey and Wilko Johnson's album. AWESOME driving noise.

Tony.