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Random ball bearing rolling around in the headliner? Whaaaaaa?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by ericbecky, Feb 8, 2014.

  1. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    A customer came in because she heard a "marble like" sound rolling around in the headliner of her 2010 Prius.

    Ooookaaaaay?!?

    Took it for a drive, and sure enough, when I took a corner the sound of a marble rolling!

    I popped out the driver's side courtesy lamp in the headliner and was able to get the unidentified object to roll near the opening.

    Dug it out and here is what I found.
    A small ball bearing. (The quarter is there for size reference.)

    Anyone ever hear of something like this?

    Theories?

    [​IMG]
     
    #1 ericbecky, Feb 8, 2014
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Bored/disgruntled factory worker?

    Read stories about workers dangling a nut or bolt on a string inside a door assembly to create problems later. Very dumb.

    SCH-I535
     
    #2 xliderider, Feb 8, 2014
  3. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    Did the Prius have the sunroof?
     
    #3 phoenixgreg, Feb 9, 2014
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    customer: waiter, there's a fly in my soup! waiter: shhh, keep it down, or everyone will want one!
     
    #4 bisco, Feb 9, 2014
  5. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Does not have a sunroof.

    Customer said it just started happening a few days ago. She bought the car new in 2010.
    Grandkids ride in the car, but have not been in it in quite a while.

    In any case, now I know a GREAT April fools joke to play on someone.
     
    #5 ericbecky, Feb 9, 2014
  6. paul gerber

    paul gerber Junior Member

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    we had the same sort of rolling sound in our 11. seemed it was coming from under the passenger seat. after removing the passenger seat and rear seat bottom, lifted the c IMG_1555.JPG IMG_1556.JPG arpet, i found a marble. IMG_1554.JPG
     
    #6 paul gerber, Jul 4, 2014
  7. paul gerber

    paul gerber Junior Member

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    this might be a trick an assembly worker did. no kids in car with marbles. go figure
     
    #7 paul gerber, Jul 4, 2014
  8. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Yep! and they think it is funny. NOT!!!
     
    #8 retired4999, Jul 4, 2014
  9. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    And the UAW wonders why management switches to robotics. I had a similar experience with an Oldsmobile where a worker left several rivets under a dash plate. I had to take it out to discover the noise too.
     
    #9 phoenixgreg, Jul 5, 2014
  10. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    The Coke bottle in the door is a classic.
     
    #10 Mike500, Jul 5, 2014
    phoenixgreg likes this.
  11. Robyn Faehr

    Robyn Faehr Junior Member

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    I have a 2012 Prius C and when I knock on my headliner above my sun visor, I hear what sounds like ROCKS. Taking it in tomorrow to see what the heck is making this clattering sound! It does have a sunroof but don't know how rocks could have gotten in the top!!!!
     
    #11 Robyn Faehr, Jul 14, 2014
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