Help. A Loud Crack in the Dash Area

[batguano]

This does not happen all the time but when it does, it is startling.

Sometimes when I go over a low bump, I get a loud crack sound in the dash area. It has the sound of a rock hitting the windshield. It never happens when I try to demonstrate it for the service manager at the dealer.

Has anyone else had this happen and if so, what was the cause?:think:

[repiv]

This could be inside the dash or it could "seem" like it's inside the dash. If you go over a bump with both front tires at the same time and both get deflected the same amount, then I'm inclined to think it's the suspension mounts shifting a bit. If you hit the bump unevenly where one tire goes over just before the other or at different changes in height, then I would say that the twisting of the car that results may cause some component (could be inside the dash or not) to shift or warp. For example, the HVAC unit is a complete assembly that bolts inside the dash. In the assembly are all sorts of other structures that are bolted to it. Some of these are solid. Some of these are hinged and move. If this "box" warps through a shifting of the compartment in which it is attached, then things can pop not unlike when tectonic plates of the earth suddenly let go and create a quake. Even the dash itself is one big unit that bolts to the car. Twisting of the car can cause this to shift and plastic bits can pop.
In either case, I don't believe this is anything to worry about. I've heard similar loud cracks in the S2000 and other cars as well.

[batguano]

Thanks Dave. It happens when the tries do not go over at the same time. It seemed like a twist of the chassis is the cause. I'm relieved to know it's nothing serious.




I gotta say, that is one scary avatar you have there.

[repiv]

I gotta say, that is one scary avatar you have there.
That's what happens when I get bad weed, man. :freak: