SX Tower rattles / resonates with music

[Supraman]

I just finished installing a moderately large stereo into my 2001 SX and I'm finding the tower rattles and resonates with the music. It's evident even with the sub turned off and just the tower speakers playing at high volume. My tower has something that rattles inside of it on the drivers side when I fold it down, however I don't think this is the problem as both sides appear to generate the same noise.

There is zero rattles from the tower when wakeboarding and all of the mounting bolts are tight.

Has anyone else experienced this or have any suggestions? I'm considering using something to deaden the tower such as some kind of spray foam but thought I'd check with some of the more experienced epic owners to see if you guys have a better idea.

[wakejunky]

"moderately large stereo".  just how many tower speakers are we talking about? how heavy are they? any increased weight on a tower is not good. not to say we don't do it but, some people go way over board

[Supraman]

I have two enclosures hanging from the tower. Each enclosure has two 8" midbass drivers and two HLCD tweeters. Each cabinet weighs roughly 25-30lbs.

The tower itself is still solid, even with the speakers hanging from it. As long as no loud music is being played, its fine. It's just when the midbass hits at a high volume I get a resonating like sound. Putting my hand on the tower and applying pressure did not seem to help the noise.

[denver]

Check the two allen bolts by the windscreen. Mine get loose regularly, that might help.

Do your mounts have rubber isolators?

[denver]

skipped over the part where you said the bolts are tight...

You could try putting isolating pads of some sort, a hard poly or something between the pivot points and the removable thumb screw pads. 

 

[Supraman]

Right now the thumb screw points are metal on metal.. I'll try to put a nylon washer in there and see if that helps, however I think that the problem stems from the aluminum tubing resonating. It doesn't seem to be caused by any one of pivot points.

There is a rubber pad between the tower legs and the fiberglass hull.

[ktdust]

Dynamat and V-Block both make a spray foam that is used in car stereo applications to stop metal panels from resonating when the bass hits. Any car stereo shop should be able to refer you to a product.

You'll also need a long flexible 1/4" tube to insert into the tower to fill it. You also won't be able to pull new wires after it's installed.