Awning rattle driving me crazy!

[Detritus]

Hi all,

I have an awning rattle and it’s driving me crazy!
I know there are posts on how to adjust the awning arms, but I can’t find any that actually tell me what bits I need to adjust and in what direction, just photos that doing specify what to turn in what direction to do what. I’m sure I’m missing something and my brain is failing me - but we’re off on Sunday and I’m desperate to solve it . Can anyone post an idiot’s guide with photos showing the exact bit’s to adjust and how to adjust them please (or point me at one)?
I’ve already bought and fitted the new clips that replace the old bits of glued on rubber - but they have done nothing to reduce it, exactly the same. I think it’s either the front/outer casing tapping against the main body (it’s slightly looser at the front for some reason) , or it’s the arms bouncing inside the casing. Only happens when I go over bumpy bits of road, but then the van sounds like an old dust cart!

Thank you for your patience and tolerance!

Jez

 

[Kev56]

I feel for you, i drove for weeks with the rattle really really annoying. I referred to this forums suggestions, spoke to fellow drivers etc. it seemed to be coming from inside the a/ b pillar.
Driving one day with window open, the rattle was obviously the awning, arm out the window and pressing the casing towards the van proved the point. I looked at the arm adjustment ideas and that didn't seem like that was the issue. Eventually and even now i wind in the awning to the point where it seems like its too much. End of rattle.

 

[Sad]

Hope these help:
Thread 'Roofmechanism rubber padding failure' https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/roofmechanism-rubber-padding-failure.26567/

Thread 'Awning Rattle Sorted' https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/awning-rattle-sorted.50786/

 

[Detritus]

Thank you both, will have another look in the morning!

 

[pjm-84]

10years for me........ if its constant like a maracas, its the front mount.

Green strips are draft excluders. Stopped the noise dead for 3 months after a constant hammering to my right ear. But the weight of the awning caused it to start again (so a thicker or denser product would be better). It was bliss whilst it lasted. Ignore the top tape / this is not required as the awning is a wedge fit into a small channel (so cant move).

As the noise started again, I cut a store card and shimmed it at the bottom (cut out a V notch to miss the fixing )....noise gone again

Awning is a PITA to replace on your own and awkard. Easy to remove

 

[pjm-84]

Isolates the metal to metal contact with the flex in the rear casing and the single fixing onto the bracket - oddly the rear mount doesn't make a noise

 

[Detritus]

Right - it seems to be the arms bouncing inside the case - been testing on bumpy roads and holding the case to make sure it’s not the ‘front/outercasing’ not wound in enough - and I can feel the send bouncing against it inside…
See the two photos - the top bracket has a lot of play on both ends - I assume it’s to let the swing arms come out and down - but is this much play normal? What bit do I tighten if not - the top of the two ‘horizontal’ nuts, or the small bolt that is coming out of the face?

 

[Detritus]

I’ve just tightened up that top horizontal bolt so that there is no play, taken it for a bumpy drive and it seems to have cured it! That top bolt has always been looser on both front and back, is that not normal?

 

[Hawthorn37]

Glad that you’ve solved it. As the awning is stuck on the side of a 2 ton vehicle riding over speed bumps, potholes and rough surfaces, it’s no wonder bolts can work loose. Anytime I come across a loose bolt/ nut I use a drop of blue Loctite to prevent a recurrence.