Owners of Pontiac Firebird may notice a rattling noise in the back, especially when driving over bumps or rough roads. This post explains why that happens, outlines diagnostic steps, and shows how using sound-deadening materials, particularly B-Quiet products, can restore a quiet, comfortable ride.
Diagnostics: How to Pinpoint the Rattle
Before applying sound-deadening material (which helps, but isn’t a magic fix for structural issues), go through a systematic check:
1. Drive test
- Identify when the noise is worst: low speed, high speed, over bumps, during turns
- Try to replicate the noise in a quiet area, isolate front vs. rear, left vs. right.
2. Inspect suspension components
- Check ball joints, bushings, sway bar end links, struts, mounts for play or wear
- Use a pry bar to see movement, or check lift-on-lift-off
3. Interior panels & trim
- Remove interior panels (rear parcel shelf, kick panels, trunk liner) and shake them individually
- Look for loosened clips, grommets, or missing foam padding
4. Tap test on panels
- Gently tap suspect panels and listen for “hollow” or buzzing spots
- Use a rubber mallet or your knuckle
5. Use cardboard or felt temporarily
- Hold felt, rubber, or cardboard over suspected spots while driving to “mute” the noise. If it disappears, you've located the source.
Once you confirm the source isn’t a loose fastener or worn mechanical part, sound deadening becomes a highly effective supplementary solution.
How Sound Deadening Works & Why B-Quiet Helps
Sound-deadening (or damping) materials reduce vibration and absorb acoustic energy. They work by:
- Adding mass to panels so they don’t flex and resonate
- Sealing gaps and isolating metal-to-metal contact
B-Quiet Ultimate Automotive Sound Deadener is a peel-and-stick butyl/aluminum composite that’s engineered to work in the cabin, beneath carpet, behind panels, and on doors.
We also offer B-Quiet H-Liner, which adds thermal insulation (helpful under the hood or on floor pans) and further acoustic dampening.
Step-by-Step: Installing Sound Deadening in a Pontiac
1. Remove seats & carpet / interior panels
- Unbolt the seats, remove the carpet and padding
- Remove door panels, kick panels, rear trim, trunk liner
2. Clean and prep the surfaces
- Use isopropyl alcohol or degreaser to clean bare metal
- Ensure surfaces are dry & free of rust or peeling paint
3. Cut and test-fit your sheets
- Use templates or cardboard to cut your pieces
- Leave ¼ inch margins to tuck under edges and avoid bunching
4. Press firmly
- Use a roller to eliminate air bubbles
5. Layer strategically
- On the floor: full coverage under carpet with particular attention near transmission tunnel and footwells
- Doors: apply to the door skin and interior door cavities
- Trunk / rear panels: line inner skins and floor pans
- Underhood (optional): use B-Quiet HLiner to the floor, transmission tunnel, and back wall of your Pontiac for Heat insulation.
6. Reassemble
- Replace carpet, trim, and panels
- Make sure clips and fasteners are tight
- Gently test doors, hatch, and panels for interference
For a Pontiac, a full application (floor, doors, trunk, some under-hood zones) often takes 2 to 4 hours (depending on skill, tools, and disassembly ease).
Conclusion
A rattling Pontiac doesn’t have to be part of the classic-car experience. With a little inspection, planning, and high-performance sound-deadening materials, you can bring back that solid, quiet muscle-car ride.
Use the B-Quiet Calculator to find out how much material your Pontiac needs, then shop our Car Sound-Deadening Package to skip buying the materials separately and get started today.
