The cracking noise occurs when dashboard is heated up, usually on the right, once or also a number of times a day. See Fig. 1. The noise can be triggered when the road is uneven (bumps).
The cause is a felt strip that is too short being bonded to the plastic insert of the dashboard.
For vehicles as of date of manufacture 14.07.2007, the modified felt strips are already fitted ex works.
(1) The cracking noise occurs in this area.
Look to check whether the felt strip (1) is correctly bonded.
The felt strip (1) must separate the metal and the plastic on the entire contact surface.
(1) At this position, a gap to insert a felt strip must be created.
(2) Remove the mounting bolts of the dashboard.
(3) At this position, use a suitable tool to carefully exert pressure to create a gap between the dashboard and support tube (1).