The double sided tape method worked for a couple of years, but when the rattle re-emerged I decided I would find a Final Fix, one that would last forever. Here is what I have come up with.

Ash tray bottom masked off and Plastic Dip drizzled on top of the nubs. I did two coats and it was a squeeze to get in, might want to try one coat.



Masking removed after drying for a day. No one but you and me will see it, but black may have been a better color to use.



Final Product before re-assembly



So far, Botts dots, railroad tracks and various road imperfections have not caused the slightest noise, we will see how long it lasts.

 

Mine rattles ALOT! I didn't know that there was a fix!!
How do I get the thing out? A few pics would be great!

 

Nice write up. But as the poster above mentioned. How do you get it out. I'm going to bookmark this post as i noticed mine rattle a few times but it is not very often.

 

It is fairly simple, the TSB may help to explain it. But I will add a little. You need to remove the trim piece around the radio and all in order to get to two screws (hex head) that hold the ash tray in. On my truck I just use my fingers and pull around the outside a little at a time, here and there, util it pops loose. The first time is a little scarry cause I think I am going to break it. So far it's still in one peice. Some people like to open the ash try up and pull there. If I have time I might add some pics of taking off the trim piece. if you search the forum there are a couple of people that have done a good job of explaining the process. Just search for ash tray rattle. The reason I choose to do it this way is that I have used the other methods the felt or two sided tape and it worked for a while but it seemed that there was an area or angle that it didn't cover and the vibration would find it. This will cover the hole nub and isolate it from any vibration.

 

Yeah just open the ashtray, grab the bottom of the bezel and pull, once it pops out, it starts coming out.

 

I used the soft loop-side of adhesive velcro and taped around any contact points. Its been great for the last 5 years.

Using PlastiDip is a great idea.

 

When I started think about the problem and solution. I thought Ford would have never had this problem if the nubs fit into holes that held gromets. That would have been the factory fix and this is as close as I can get within budget.

 

I put these type faucet washers (Home Depot) over the tabs and it is working great. There are several in the package that are lower in profile, use those.

 

So your saying i don't need to remove trim piece around the radio like the post above yours that mentioned two hex screws that have to come out
I just have to open the ashtray and pull it out. When i pull do i pull it straight out or up and out. Thanks. Mine is starting to get worse and i would love to fix it.

 

No you do, you open the ashtray so you can actually grab the radio bezel to start pulling it off...then you can take out the ashtray

 

Ahhh OK! Thank you bud!

 

I wedged about 40 track timeslips on the side of mine to keep the rattle down. I effing hate rattles

 

The plastic dip method does a few things that are notable. First it makes sure that the two parts, the plastic hole and numb are insulated from each other, it centers the numb within the hole to provide the best chance that they won't vibrate against each other, an even layer of plastic dip will help with problems on misalignment and ease the removal and replacement process.

 

Mine only rattles when it's closed, is this the same rattle? I usually keep it open to avoid e rattle, but it looks so much better closed.

 

Yep, that's it. I guess us non smokers are cursed. ha ha