I didn't have that problem with my X, but I had put Dynamat behind the woofer the day I got it. I did have a customer who had a Pilot with the rattling that was "fixed" by Honda. He still had the problem until we installed some strategic sound deadener in the car. By the way, the sub is much easier to remove from the X, the Pilot is a real pain.

 

i didn't have that problem in my x either.... my bass was maybe @ an 8 if the middle was a level 5. But I didn't use the stock sub too long before I added the Polk GNX Sub with the 100Mhz lowpass filter others have added as well for the rear.

IMHO the X needs an amp to take full advantage of the new Polk sub, but it seems to fit my needs for now.

 

I have that problem in my X. I plan on fixing it myself one of these days.....the whole dynamat/insulation trick. I won't give the dealership a chance to mess this up! Plus I plan on doing a really swell job, in case I upgrade later to a real sub.

 

Just a little FYI:

We brought in our MDX yesterday around 1 to get the problem fixed. My dad and I got a rental RSX and after 2 hours we were ready to pick up our X! The problem was the panel after all. They just added some cushioning and insulation to help it vibrate better. The odd rattling sound is now gone! Thanks to David McDavid!

 

They just added some cushioning and insulation to help it vibrate better. The odd rattling sound is now gone!

I just got a 2005 X and I had the same problem with a rattling panel near the subwoofer. Dealership confirmed the problem and fixed it with additional insulation.....

 

After picking up my 05 mid last week, I too notice the speaker is making a god awful noise ! I need to make that my only issue at this time....What is wierd, it's different based on the music your playing. For example, I put it on XM, a rap crap station and thump thump/ghetto thump.......return it to some classical or jazz and BAM ! Back to rattle/vibration city ! I thought the sub was blown, but I guess not ? Or is Acura trying to turn us into thugs ?

 

Also, I now can compare the 2004 RL sound system to my new 05 MDX, hands down to the RL system ! WAY better and fit and finish WAY better than the latest MDX.......

 

For example, I put it on XM, a rap crap station and thump thump/ghetto thump.......return it to some classical or jazz and BAM ! Back to rattle/vibration city ! I thought the sub was blown, but I guess not ? Or is Acura trying to turn us into thugs ?

Way to stereotype :3:

 

I have had my 04 Touring for a month and a half and finally noticed a rattle in the right rear quarter panel when I rode in the right rear seat. Its not noticeable when I am driving.

 

This is also one of the first things I noticed when we got our X earlier this week. I'll probably drop by Los Gatos Acura after the holidays to get it checked out.

 

Hi pisay87,

I would be interested in what you find out from LG Acura. I bought my 04 from Acura of Concord but LG Acura is the closest dealer.

Thanks,

ArtW

 

Hi pisay87,

I would be interested in what you find out from LG Acura. I bought my 04 from Acura of Concord but LG Acura is the closest dealer.

Thanks,

ArtW

What a coincidence, I also got my X at Acura of Concord and LG Acura is also my closest dealer. I will let you know.

Cheers.

 

Thanks pisay87!

We got our 04 Touring from an Internet quote. AOC had a Redrock Pearl Touring and came back with a good quote. No hassle, and we settled everything in less than 2 hours.!

ArtW

 

I have had my 04 Touring for a month and a half and finally noticed a rattle in the right rear quarter panel when I rode in the right rear seat. Its not noticeable when I am driving.

Ha. I noticed the rattling two days after I picked up my '04 MDX. At first, I thought it was the license plate, but it wasn't.

 

Update: I have finally fixed my sub rattle. I purchased 2 sheets of dynamat extreme and 3 sheets of dynamat original from eBay for about $85.

--I pulled the interior quarter panel cover....fairly straightforward, except for some binding at the Curtain Air Bag cover. Those with RES, be sure to pull the A/V connector at the back of panel. I applied the the full 2 sheets of extreme against the sheet metal body of the car. And I had some left over and covered the inner sheet metal, and when I ran out of the good stuff, I switched to the dynamat original.

--Results: In a word "awesome". I am very happy. When you tap your knuckle to the outside quarter panel, it sounds like the metal it more than 1/4" thick!

--The subwoofer sound from factory: Seriously lacking. I heard rattles on the day I purchased it.

--The "dealership fix": My dealership installed a 12"x12" "pillow" directly behind the sub against the quarter panel sheet metal. There were noticeably less rattles, but also noticeably less bass. A buddy of mine said, "...it doesn't even sound like there is a sub installed."

--My fix: Ditch the pillow, install dynamat extreme! I have bass now. Not Earth shattering bass mind you.....but I can listen to Eminem's new CD and hear almost all of the bass drops. Now there are no rattles outside, and none inside when the bass it hitting.

Sorry for the lengthy post, but I am pretty excited, and thought I'd share my dynomat experience. One day I may do my whole MDX!

 

Dynamat Xtreme is great, I don't use the original anymore (it doesn't stick well and smells like someone paved your car). The pillow is factory, and I left it in, if anything, it can help with standing waves. If you want to help the sub out a little more, put 4 squares of Dynaxorb on the area directly behind the sub. This will do a great job of diffusing back waves.

 

Great fix, however none of us should have to do this with a $40,000.00 plus vehicle !
Shame on you Acura ! :3: :3: :3:

I have NO interest in taking my entire panels off as they are nice and tight from the factory !

 

I have an appt. this week at Devan Acura in CT to addresses this issue...quite annoying indeed. Will post results.

 

Update: dropped of the MDX early this AM, the service rep. was not familiar with this problem. I explained that is seems to be a known problem with the MDX and mentioned Dynamat/insulation.

At 4:30PM, dealership called and said the interior quarter panel was "cracked" according to the technician and that was causing the rattling. Hmmm, not sure about the crack, it certainly was not visible to me. The needed part was not available so he asked to keep the MDX until Fri PM. No problem, I have a loaner. I did ask if he was "certain" this was the cause of the problem to which he responded yes.

Has anyone heard of a "cracked" interior panel? How could this have happened?

Will update Fri PM.

 

smells like a rotten fish to me ! My panel is NOT cracked and its on the list for repair "subwoofer" that is.....

 

Yea, I gotta say I was more than a little thrown by the "cracked" panel theory/claim. How in the world could the interior panel have become cracked? My MDX has 4K miles on it and the rattling has been present since day one.

 

I have an 05 with 3000 miles to date (still has the new smell in it) and it rattled since day one and believe me nothing is "cracked" back there !

 

Just picked-up my MDX and am I pi$$ed! The dealership called me today at 3PM (was told I would hear by 11AM) and informed me that the car was ready and they also installed insulation (in addition to replacing a "cracked" interior quarter panel). They had the car for two full work days.

Not only was the quarter panel area near the woofer still rattling, but the quarter panel and the grey cloth covering the panel ABOVE the panel housing the sub, was frayed and torn. The rubber trim was not properly installed and the aforementioned panels were/are not secure.

Just out of curiosity, I pulled the sub and did NOT see any additional insulation directly behind it (maybe behind the quarter panel?). Where might the insulation have gone?

I will post pics in the AM, truly speechless.

The following was posted on the work order, appreciate any insight:

---------
"Customer states a loud rattle from rear sub-woofer. Cause: 04501.

013002 Bulletin 04-025 - Re-Secure Rear washer jet hose. 4 W93 1.10

1 90667-SOD-003ZC Clip
(7mm) *NH12OL*
FC: 06201 Part#"
-----------

I don't see anything RE: replacing interior quarter panel, nor adding insulation. What is the story w/the "jet hose"?

This is my second MDX from Devan Acura and probably the last, the service is simply awful (my sales rep is great).

Suggestions?

Thanks.

 

Bummer, I thought Devan had a good reputation. I think the part they're referring to is the hose to the rear window washer....does it run through the sub area? When did you notice the tear, at home or at the dealer.....they need to fix it completely, and I would print out this thread to show them that other folks have had the same problem and it's not isolated to your X. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

My experience RE: service with Devan has been horrible with both of my MDXs. This sub woofer episode was the last straw (again, my sales rep is and has been absolutely fantastic).