carrerahokie

Sounds like a benign issue, I know, but its unbelievably annoying. I've noticed that with the windows and/or sunroof open, the headliner in my 996 flaps like a flag in a strong breeze. Recently I noticed an unbelievable racket when I lowered my windows for the ride home. I'm not up on the construction of the headliner but it appears that they had run a rod across the width of the car which was used to sort of 'tighten' the headliner. Well, this rod which I'm sure was secured at each end has come loose on one end. Every time the headliner flaps it just makes a terrible noise.

Anybody ever experienced anything like this? Any explanation as to how that 'rod' is fixed at each end? Any insight is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Zookie

i have a rattel from the very back off my Headliner near the Rear Glass, its sounds the like Frame ratttles againts the Roof... Very annoying

I have had it fixed 3 times under CPO but never fixed properly or completely... I stuck a Cardboard peice in there and now the Noise is preety much gone as the Carboards acts like a Divider between the Frame and Roof...

carrerahokie

yea this rattle is closer to the rear of the sunroof, I guess about halfway between the sunroof and the rear glass. Its like they designed the headliner to be suspended away from the roof and they use this lateral rod to 'hold' the headliner away from the roof. I can reach my hand up and tap on the rod and it bounces up and down and strikes the roof.

I guess I see 2 options. Remove the headliner and fix this rod OR rip out the headliner and somehow have a 'standard' headliner installed.

fbgh2o

Had the same issue and removed the headliner (started at the back and worked my way forward) and re-attached the rod. You need to remove the interior trim to get at the headliner, but it's not that bad. IIRC I used Renntech to find out how to remove the trim and fix the rattle.

Pac996

Dealer said going from the insides pilar molding you can work on the clips that hang on the wire looking thing. I think its also in the service manual.

GaryAZ

Are you sure this isn't the resonator sound that happens when you open the sunroof but don't open the windows too? ie: same principle as when you blow across the top of a bottle?

I get a whap,whap, whap if I open the sunroof but don't crack the windows. If that's what your sound is, you're living it with it just like many of us.

carrerahokie

Thanks for the tips everyone, I'll take down the headliner and fix it up. I figured that was the case but thought I would ask around to be sure it was do-able.

@ GaryAZ - Yea, I'm familiar with the noises you mention, but this is a loud metallic banging and it occurs with sunroof open + windows down or sunroof closed + windows down, basically any time you want to enjoy the nice weather, haha.

Thanks again!

Zookie

^^^ Well if you do Decide to tackle this please do a Write up with Pictures. Thanks