Can I remove this piece of trim with 'srs' on it?

[Dale66]

I'm trying to rid my dash of rattles in my 2001 prado grande and I'm trying to remove as much trim as possible to make it easier to isolate any rattles. I've isolated the main one and it's under the rectangular piece of trim that sits on top of the passenger side that has 'srs airbag' written on it. I'm just wondering if it's safe to remove this piece. I'm not sure how airbags are activated but I just want to be cautious. 

[Tony Prodigy]

5 hours ago, Dale66 said:

I'm trying to rid my dash of rattles in my 2001 prado grande and I'm trying to remove as much trim as possible to make it easier to isolate any rattles. I've isolated the main one and it's under the rectangular piece of trim that sits on top of the passenger side that has 'srs airbag' written on it. I'm just wondering if it's safe to remove this piece. I'm not sure how airbags are activated but I just want to be cautious. 

Hi Dale,

Welcome to the forum mate.

The dreaded rattles and squeaks... I'm guessing it's the fake wood trim piece just above the glove compartment you want to remove ? If so, short answer would be yes, you can remove it without setting off the airbag. Not sure why you want to do this as I really doubt this would be a source of any rattles.

Rattles are a real mongrel to deal with. I had a relatively new D-Max company car and it would develop a new rattle every few days and it drove me insane. I did eventually find most of them and it just goes to show how rubbish these cars can be put together. Cheap plastic pieces that vibrate, especially when that diesel engine hits that sweet spot, which awakens all the rattles. Arrghh !!. Thankfully that car is gone and now I have the last of the Colorado vehicles. It's much better, but has a few squeaks here and there. Hopefully be getting a latest Gen Hilux on the next round of updates now Holden is gone.

Anyway, getting back to this issue. Where abouts are the rattles coming from ?

They usually tend to be A-pillar squeaks, dash rattles with miscellaneous tubes and pipes under the dash vibrating against other things. You need to get under there with the car running, or have someone rev the engine to induce the vibrations and feel around with a strong torch. You may be surprised how many you find.

Sometimes the ties that hold harness wires together can break or come away from their fixture points and cause rattles. I found a few on a friend's Kluger. 

Persevere my friend and I'm sure you'll find them.

Let us know how you go.

Cheers mate 

 

 

[Dale66]

Thanks for the welcome. It's not the wood trim, it's the piece on the top of the dash that is about 15cm x 30cm is size. Its not a rattle that happens while the car is running, it's when I go over a bump in the road or go over some corrugations. I removed the glove box and stuck my hand right up there and located the rattle but it is in a spot in which it is too hard to fix. I though maybe I could come directly from the top instead. 

[Tony Prodigy]

If the piece is removable (I'm not familiar with the layout of a 2001 Prado), then yes, remove it. The airbag isn't fixed to the soft furnishings but is mounted to the internal chassis. You will have no issue with the airbag otherwise. I had a similar issue, as I mentioned, with my old D-Max and I also had to remove the top cover of the dash to investigate a rattle. Once it's off, you see the airbag pod. If you have to remove the airbag to dig deeper, I'd recommend disconnecting the Battery first. You'll be fine.

Good luck and I hope you get it sorted mate. 

[Dale66]

Cheers for the help, I'll see how I go 👍