HELP! Something rolling under the carpet.

Modeler · Apr 26, 2006

I have a very annoying problem. Something like marbles or JellyBeans found its way somewhere under the carpet and rolls around when the car accelerates or turns.

The dealer found one JellyBean in the rail of the driver's seat and said that solved the problem. Of course, when we picked the van up, lots of stuff was still rolling around.

I have no idea where, but it sounds like it's under the flooring and on the metal underbody. It is not in the Lazy Susan or any other accessible places. If I ask the dealer to remove the front seats, pull up the floor and hunt for those things, I'm sure they will charge me for the labor, claiming it's not the warrantly issue. Of course, I feel it's ridiculous that things can be allowed to fall through under the flooring.

I'm looking for any advice on dealing with this problem. It is very annoying. Every time we turn, there is a loud rolling sound and it seems like whatever's rolling is traveling quite a distance from side to side.

Thank you.

JyRO · Apr 26, 2006

Modeler - I am a design engineer formally with Toyota Technical Center. Currently I'm still a design engineer working for a major OEM at their plant in AL.

I can tell you FACTUALLY, that screws, nuts, bolts, plastic fasteners, and anything else that is small and in the hands of an assembly worker gets dropped into the vehicle from time to time. It happens. The problem is when the parts get dropped into the vehicle unnoticed (or by an worker who doesn't care) before the carpet is installed. This plant has made *some* efforts to catch loose parts in the vehicle before the carpet install because it was (is) a concern for customer satisfaction.

If these previous jellybeans, or some other candy was not dropped by your family and you're sure about that, the dealer should cover the labor under warranty, and tear your vehicle as far apart as necessary to find what is loose under the carpet.

Of course if they find marbles or something one of your children have dropped, they will make you cover the labor (which is justified).

- JyRO

psu ody fan · Apr 26, 2006

What about the floor heater vents / ducts? Could something have fallen into one of the vents and be rolling around down there?

Chester_Lampwic · Apr 26, 2006

JyRO said:
Modeler - I am a design engineer formally with Toyota Technical Center. Currently I'm still a design engineer working for a major OEM at their plant in AL.
- JyRO

I don't get it. Do you mean to say "formerly", or formally. If "formally" why did you bother? We would have taken that at face value. Then you mention you work for a subcontractor. Do you work for Toyota or one of its subcontractors.

I do appreciate your input, though.

Back to Modeler's question. Where would there be void large enough under the carpet for things to roll, wouldn't they get trapped? Sounds like a great prank to do to somebody, it'd be annoying as..... you know.

JyRO · Apr 26, 2006

Hehehe

I'm no English major! I meant formerly. I'm still a design engineer for an OEM. I don't work for a subcontractor.

- JyRO

Steve Pert · Apr 27, 2006

Chester_Lampwic said:
Back to Modeler's question. Where would there be void large enough under the carpet for things to roll, wouldn't they get trapped? Sounds like a great prank to do to somebody, it'd be annoying as..... you know.

The prank idea reminded me of a story I heard once. An owner of a new car kept hearing an annoying clanking sound from inside the car door. Brought the car to the dealership. When the door was taken apart there was a metal washer tied to a length of string that was hanging inside the door, presumably placed there during the manufacturing process. A note attached to the string said "Wondering how long it took to find this!"

psu ody fan · Apr 27, 2006

Steve P said:
The prank idea reminded me of a story I heard once. An owner of a new car kept hearing an annoying clanking sound from inside the car door. Brought the car to the dealership. When the door was taken apart there was a metal washer tied to a length of string that was hanging inside the door, presumably placed there during the manufacturing process. A note attached to the string said "Wondering how long it took to find this!"

more variations on the same urban legend: snopes I especially like the story about Brian Bosworth!

egads · Apr 27, 2006

I have a couple of friends who have worked either building airliners or refurbishing private jets. If you drop anything you have to stop production and find it no matter what. And most parts are aluminum so no fishing with magnets.

One of my friends left a large drawing of Bozo the clown behind the presidential seal of a small foreign country.

HELP! Something rolling under the carpet.

Modeler

JyRO

psu ody fan

Chester_Lampwic

JyRO

Steve Pert

psu ody fan

egads

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