[cyclocross]

My '01 had a similar problem. It sounded lke a soup can grinding in the dash. I thought initially it came from behind me but the noise originated from the dash. There is a triangular steel tube that runs across the cockpit just above the knee bolsters. The central part of this tubes chafes against the central dash structure. The cure is to install some felt where the pieces touch. This tube is also bolted to the sides of the cockpit - this area also may need some felt. To me it is not a DIY. I had the dealer make the repairs. Refer to TSB 7018, the July 2002 version. The June 2000 version addresses other sources of noise in the dashborad area. TSB 7018 applies to the 996 as well as the 986.