Squeak from rear area when going over bumps

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by tacomel, Aug 17, 2006.

  1. tacomel

    tacomel New Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2006
    152
    0
    0
    With dropping temperatures and the need not to run the air conditioning at high fan speeds all the time, I have begun to notice a pronounced squeaking sound from the rear hatch area each time the car goes over a bump. As best as I can tell, it's the retractable cover for the hatch/cargo area and the squeaking is coming from the left "grip" in the back (where the little clip sticks out of the cover and catches into the track on the car body).

    Only one of our Prii exhibits this squeaking. The other one is silent on the same roads. I have ruled out driver error, since my wife and I drive each others' cars all the time, and mine is the only one that squeaks (for both of us).

    I've tried removing and reseating the hatch cover with no improvement. I do desire to keep the cover closed while I am not actively putting things in and out of the "trunk" so simply removing the cover (or leaving it open all the time) isn't a viable solution for me. Anyone else experience this, and if so, any tips to quiet this down?
     
    #1 tacomel, Aug 17, 2006
  2. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2005
    15,256
    1,580
    0
    Location:
    off into the sunset
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Maybe you could try wrapping some electrical tape around the little clip. It would still rub, but hopefully not squeak.
     
    #2 hyo silver, Aug 17, 2006
  3. sl7vk

    sl7vk Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2006
    518
    23
    0
    Location:
    Salt Lake City
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Taco Mel @ Aug 17 2006, 03:46 PM) [snapback]304827[/snapback]</div>
    I had the same problem as you, it was driving me crazy!?!?!?!?

    I was looking at everything to find where this was coming from.... Found it. I had lowered my rear seats, and one of them wasn't locked into the upright position. It was all the way back, but not locked. I simply slammed it into a locked position and presto, no more squeeks!

    Hopefully this is the same problem you're experiencing.
     
    #3 sl7vk, Aug 17, 2006
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,076
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    An unlatched rear seat is a common cause for squeaking.

    Tom
     
    #4 qbee42, Aug 17, 2006
  5. HokieHybrid

    HokieHybrid New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2005
    200
    1
    0
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Ok....you guys are my heroes...once again. My left rear has had a horrible squeak since the day I bought it. Pulled out the back seat today and slammed it til it locked...presto! Fantastic
     
    #5 HokieHybrid, Oct 8, 2006
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,128
    16,360
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    My tonneau cover rattles when retracted. It fairs better if I pull it open. Another source can be the rear suspension. I know mine does squeak. How did I find out? Just open the hatch, sit down and sorta bounce the rear suspension. Mine squeaks.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Oct 8, 2006
  7. subarutoo

    subarutoo New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2006
    1,213
    23
    0
    Location:
    Chatsworth, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Oct 8 2006, 02:58 PM) [snapback]329823[/snapback]</div>
    I cured a front end squeak by spraying silicon lubricant aerosol on the upper and lower coil spring mounts. It may work for the rear too. I didn't have to remove the wheel for the front, no sure about access from the rear. It worked for me, and is a cheap easy fix. Its been several months now, and still quiet. B)
     
    #7 subarutoo, Oct 12, 2006
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)