Rear squeak

[tonistonis]

Hi everyone,

I've had my VW California Beach T7 for a few months now and I'm trying to track down an interior squeak/creak coming from the rear of the vehicle that is driving me slightly crazy

The noise definitely seems to come from the interior trim or plastic panels rather than from the suspension or any mechanical component.

Some details about the noise:

• On the motorway or on very smooth roads the van is completely silent.
• The noise only appears at low speeds, especially around town, over small bumps, road imperfections, driveway entrances, changes in road camber or whenever the body twists slightly.
• It sounds like a plastic "creak" or "cric-cric" noise rather than a rattle.
• The noise has become noticeably worse with the recent hot weather and higher temperatures.
• It seems to come from the rear area of the vehicle, but I find it very difficult to pinpoint the exact location.
• My current suspicion is that it may be related to the tailgate interior trim or possibly the right rear side window trim, but I am far from certain.
• If I press on the black plastic trim around the right rear window while stationary, I can reproduce a very similar creaking noise by hand.

Things I have already tried:

• Lubricating the tailgate stops and latch with silicone spray.
• Lubricating the sliding surfaces around the rear window.
• Applying anti-squeak felt tape to the rear bed, which successfully fixed another larger noise I had previously.

The remaining noise is much quieter but very frequent and only appears when the body is moving or twisting slightly at low speed. The feeling is that is appearing more often though and I am running out of ideas. I told the dealer I had such a problem but they do not want to take any responsability of it, I guess for them it's also really hard to find out.

Has anyone with a California Beach T7 or Multivan T7 experienced something similar? Were you able to identify the source or fix it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Archie]

Hi everyone,

I've had my VW California Beach T7 for a few months now and I'm trying to track down an interior squeak/creak coming from the rear of the vehicle that is driving me slightly crazy

The noise definitely seems to come from the interior trim or plastic panels rather than from the suspension or any mechanical component.

Some details about the noise:

• On the motorway or on very smooth roads the van is completely silent.
• The noise only appears at low speeds, especially around town, over small bumps, road imperfections, driveway entrances, changes in road camber or whenever the body twists slightly.
• It sounds like a plastic "creak" or "cric-cric" noise rather than a rattle.
• The noise has become noticeably worse with the recent hot weather and higher temperatures.
• It seems to come from the rear area of the vehicle, but I find it very difficult to pinpoint the exact location.
• My current suspicion is that it may be related to the tailgate interior trim or possibly the right rear side window trim, but I am far from certain.
• If I press on the black plastic trim around the right rear window while stationary, I can reproduce a very similar creaking noise by hand.

Things I have already tried:

• Lubricating the tailgate stops and latch with silicone spray.
• Lubricating the sliding surfaces around the rear window.
• Applying anti-squeak felt tape to the rear bed, which successfully fixed another larger noise I had previously.

The remaining noise is much quieter but very frequent and only appears when the body is moving or twisting slightly at low speed. The feeling is that is appearing more often though and I am running out of ideas. I told the dealer I had such a problem but they do not want to take any responsability of it, I guess for them it's also really hard to find out.

Has anyone with a California Beach T7 or Multivan T7 experienced something similar? Were you able to identify the source or fix it?

Thanks in advance!

Our T6 beach had / has a similar problem. I tracked it down eventually to the pull out seats in the tailgate rubbing against the polystyrene that holds them in place. When we go camping we put the awning side panels and roof cap in the spaces in the seats and the weight of those stops the squeak. Try taking your seats out or stuffing something in them for a trial run to eliminate that possibility?

 

[Beach Nut]

You need someone to drive while you sit in the right 2nd row seat, to narrow down the location. Could be a million different bits of trim or seal causing it

The plastic trim surrounding my sliding rear windows also creaks when I press it, but is silent when driving under all conditions, so I'm not sure that's the culprit. It's quite isolated from the effects of body flex, being held rigid within the sliding door that is then somewhat isolated from the body structure...

Good luck

 

[tonistonis]

Our T6 beach had / has a similar problem. I tracked it down eventually to the pull out seats in the tailgate rubbing against the polystyrene that holds them in place. When we go camping we put the awning side panels and roof cap in the spaces in the seats and the weight of those stops the squeak. Try taking your seats out or stuffing something in them for a trial run to eliminate that possibility?

Thanks for your input Archie. I already chexked the plastic seats from the tailgate and lubricated them but it’s not coming from that place. Looks more like its coming from top. I wonder if I will be able to ever fix that! It drives me nuts! I recorded a short video where you can hear the creak creak

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share.icloud.com

 

[tonistonis]

You need someone to drive while you sit in the right 2nd row seat, to narrow down the location. Could be a million different bits of trim or seal causing it

The plastic trim surrounding my sliding rear windows also creaks when I press it, but is silent when driving under all conditions, so I'm not sure that's the culprit. It's quite isolated from the effects of body flex, being held rigid within the sliding door that is then somewhat isolated from the body structure...

Good luck

Thanks! Yes this is next step, get someone on the wheel and try to listen. I am afraid even locating the noise root it will get hard to fix it. As you said, it can be happening at thousands of different places. I have just recorded a short video https://share.icloud.com/photos/08eq2U4qRznCJIzOj1Msp7cJw

 

[The Little Red Cali]

Hi everyone,

I've had my VW California Beach T7 for a few months now and I'm trying to track down an interior squeak/creak coming from the rear of the vehicle that is driving me slightly crazy

The noise definitely seems to come from the interior trim or plastic panels rather than from the suspension or any mechanical component.

Some details about the noise:

• On the motorway or on very smooth roads the van is completely silent.
• The noise only appears at low speeds, especially around town, over small bumps, road imperfections, driveway entrances, changes in road camber or whenever the body twists slightly.
• It sounds like a plastic "creak" or "cric-cric" noise rather than a rattle.
• The noise has become noticeably worse with the recent hot weather and higher temperatures.
• It seems to come from the rear area of the vehicle, but I find it very difficult to pinpoint the exact location.
• My current suspicion is that it may be related to the tailgate interior trim or possibly the right rear side window trim, but I am far from certain.
• If I press on the black plastic trim around the right rear window while stationary, I can reproduce a very similar creaking noise by hand.

Things I have already tried:

• Lubricating the tailgate stops and latch with silicone spray.
• Lubricating the sliding surfaces around the rear window.
• Applying anti-squeak felt tape to the rear bed, which successfully fixed another larger noise I had previously.

The remaining noise is much quieter but very frequent and only appears when the body is moving or twisting slightly at low speed. The feeling is that is appearing more often though and I am running out of ideas. I told the dealer I had such a problem but they do not want to take any responsability of it, I guess for them it's also really hard to find out.

Has anyone with a California Beach T7 or Multivan T7 experienced something similar? Were you able to identify the source or fix it?

Thanks in advance!

I’m assuming you’re taken everything out of the boot and then gone for a drive. Mine was plastic water bottles. Drove me nuts for weeks.

 

[omaralrawi]

There are 2 plastic door bumpers for each slide door in the kitchen unit (top and bottom). I noticed some of mine on the floor, when replaced the creaks disappeared. Got some replacement from Amazon

 

[Beach Nut]

Yeah that sounds like a plastic on metal or plastic on plastic tapping. Definitely need to be in a rear seat to pinpoint it better, and to have removed all non-body noise sources: spare seats, the soft bags in the rear window recesses, anything lying on the floor...

On a T6 Caravelle I had, some part of the door latching mechanism in one of the sliding doors rattled in a similar way. I never got to the bottom of it and I don't have a similar noise in my T7, but as wild stabs in the dark go, it's maybe not that daft...

 

[Beach Nut]

There are 2 plastic door bumpers for each slide door in the kitchen unit (top and bottom). I noticed some of mine on the floor, when replaced the creaks disappeared. Got some replacement from Amazon

View attachment 149386

T7 Beach doesn't have the same drawer system. Actually from the video looks like the OP has a Beach Tour, with an even more basic rear unit, maybe no gas and no cooking facility at all ?

 

[Chriskend]

I have also done the same with the bumpers, seems VW are cheapscates

 

[Californication69]

Do you have this ?
Under the bed area ?
There is a separate board with what I think is the charging unit for the battery.
It’s slightly loose and rattles ?

View attachment IMG_1737.jpeg

 

[tonistonis]

T7 Beach doesn't have the same drawer system. Actually from the video looks like the OP has a Beach Tour, with an even more basic rear unit, maybe no gas and no cooking facility at all ?

Yes thats it, it’s a Beach with no kitchen or anything else. I will do more research and let you know thanks to everyone for your input

 

[tonistonis]

Do you have this ?
Under the bed area ?
There is a separate board with what I think is the charging unit for the battery.
It’s slightly loose and rattles ?

View attachment 149405

Yes I have it but I dont think it is loose at all. I am suspicious on the roof sealings, but again is just in my mind for now, let’s see ifI can find out in the next few days. I will keep you posted thanks

 

[tonistonis]

Update / Solution

Just wanted to post an update in case it helps someone in the future.

In the end, it wasn't the tailgate, rear window trim, sliding door, or any of the other things we suspected.

I took the van back to the VW dealer, went for a drive with one of their technicians and we were able to reproduce the noise together. They kept the vehicle for further investigation and eventually found the source.

The problem was the rear bed support/platform assembly. They replaced the complete bed support under warranty, and after testing the vehicle the creaking noise has disappeared.

If anyone is experiencing a similar creak from the rear or roof area on a California Beach T7, it may be worth asking the dealer to inspect the bed support assembly before chasing other trim noises.

I am as happy as a kid right now! It was literally driving me crazy. I was thinking about it every morning when I woke up, and every time I saw another California on the road, it was the first thing that came to mind.

Hopefully this helps someone in the future!

 

[Perfectos]

Update / Solution

Just wanted to post an update in case it helps someone in the future.

In the end, it wasn't the tailgate, rear window trim, sliding door, or any of the other things we suspected.

I took the van back to the VW dealer, went for a drive with one of their technicians and we were able to reproduce the noise together. They kept the vehicle for further investigation and eventually found the source.

The problem was the rear bed support/platform assembly. They replaced the complete bed support under warranty, and after testing the vehicle the creaking noise has disappeared.

If anyone is experiencing a similar creak from the rear or roof area on a California Beach T7, it may be worth asking the dealer to inspect the bed support assembly before chasing other trim noises.

I am as happy as a kid right now! It was literally driving me crazy. I was thinking about it every morning when I woke up, and every time I saw another California on the road, it was the first thing that came to mind.

Hopefully this helps someone in the future!View attachment 150155

Great that it's the bed board,

Solved but the dealer took a sledgehammer to crack a peanut !

Why can't dealers fix an issue rather than replace an assembly

 

[Californication69]

Update / Solution

Just wanted to post an update in case it helps someone in the future.

In the end, it wasn't the tailgate, rear window trim, sliding door, or any of the other things we suspected.

I took the van back to the VW dealer, went for a drive with one of their technicians and we were able to reproduce the noise together. They kept the vehicle for further investigation and eventually found the source.

The problem was the rear bed support/platform assembly. They replaced the complete bed support under warranty, and after testing the vehicle the creaking noise has disappeared.

If anyone is experiencing a similar creak from the rear or roof area on a California Beach T7, it may be worth asking the dealer to inspect the bed support assembly before chasing other trim noises.

I am as happy as a kid right now! It was literally driving me crazy. I was thinking about it every morning when I woke up, and every time I saw another California on the road, it was the first thing that came to mind.

Hopefully this helps someone in the future!View attachment 150155

I have done 1800 miles now, the noise is driving me insane.
Thank you.
I’ll get someone to sit on the rear bed support or remove it and see if it disappears !
I thought it might be the awning, as we’ve had it out and used it and I have put the feet towards the vehicle now, they were both out towards the outer side of the vehicle.
I’ve yet to drive it, but thought that might be the issue.
If it still squeaks, I’ll move onto the bed support.
Weird how it’s started to happen after 1500 miles.

 

[tonistonis]

I have done 1800 miles now, the noise is driving me insane.
Thank you.
I’ll get someone to sit on the rear bed support or remove it and see if it disappears !
I thought it might be the awning, as we’ve had it out and used it and I have put the feet towards the vehicle now, they were both out towards the outer side of the vehicle.
I’ve yet to drive it, but thought that might be the issue.
If it still squeaks, I’ll move onto the bed support.
Weird how it’s started to happen after 1500 miles.

It happened to me also, it started at about 5000 km

In my case it was not something I could do, this platform needs to be changed at the dealer

 

[Californication69]

Found the squeak, twas the Beach hook that holds the roof down.
The left side had rubbed away the anodised black and was rubbing on the metal.
Some ptfe silicon lube and the squeak is no more.
The sound of Silence (Simon and Garfunkel )

 

[Flipper]

Hi everyone,

I've had my VW California Beach T7 for a few months now and I'm trying to track down an interior squeak/creak coming from the rear of the vehicle that is driving me slightly crazy

The noise definitely seems to come from the interior trim or plastic panels rather than from the suspension or any mechanical component.

Some details about the noise:

• On the motorway or on very smooth roads the van is completely silent.
• The noise only appears at low speeds, especially around town, over small bumps, road imperfections, driveway entrances, changes in road camber or whenever the body twists slightly.
• It sounds like a plastic "creak" or "cric-cric" noise rather than a rattle.
• The noise has become noticeably worse with the recent hot weather and higher temperatures.
• It seems to come from the rear area of the vehicle, but I find it very difficult to pinpoint the exact location.
• My current suspicion is that it may be related to the tailgate interior trim or possibly the right rear side window trim, but I am far from certain.
• If I press on the black plastic trim around the right rear window while stationary, I can reproduce a very similar creaking noise by hand.

Things I have already tried:

• Lubricating the tailgate stops and latch with silicone spray.
• Lubricating the sliding surfaces around the rear window.
• Applying anti-squeak felt tape to the rear bed, which successfully fixed another larger noise I had previously.

The remaining noise is much quieter but very frequent and only appears when the body is moving or twisting slightly at low speed. The feeling is that is appearing more often though and I am running out of ideas. I told the dealer I had such a problem but they do not want to take any responsability of it, I guess for them it's also really hard to find out.

Has anyone with a California Beach T7 or Multivan T7 experienced something similar? Were you able to identify the source or fix it?

Thanks in advance!

Hi, Ive got exactly the same problem, although it seems to come from the front end above the driver and passenger seats. The sound is now unbearable as it has got worse over the last 6 months, and conversation cannot be heard over the noise. I have tried various tapes and packing in the affected area but no reduction. My dealer also said they were not interested and said it might be the awning causing the problem. I wrote to VW customer care and they also palmed me off back to the dealer and not interested. After a long conversation with the local dealer I have an agreement that they will investigate at my cost and rectify as a warranty issue if applicable. The waiting time is 3 months to see a technician, which is another bone of contention. I think Volkwagen have a major issue with the T7 which they are refusing to accept. The T7 is great on smooth surfaces but anything less is infuriating to say the least. The juice is just not worth the squeeze and I am considering my options on returning the T7. I am very disappointed as intially I was excited by owning the van but it is not fit for purpose. If anyone else has any issues with the same problem and fixes I would be grateful to hear and I will feed to VW in my on-going saga. Until October I will be wearing ear defenders whilst driving.