bkatbamna

2009 c 300 Sport. mars red.
There is a ticking noise that is coming from the right(passanger) front corner near the A pillar that is driving me crazy.
The noise occurs at slow speed usually.
I removed the A-pillar cover and made sure the metal clips that hold it in weren't making the noise.

I actually am driving around with the A pillar cover off but the noise seems to be coming from under the metal grill on the top of the dashboard.

Any way to access that area? I've tried pusing felt into the corner without any change.

Also, when it is hot outside, the noise lessens or disappears.

And, it seems like it is transmitted via the airbag wire that runs up from the dash.

Can anyone help me?? Please!!

C300CA

If I remember right, there should be some posts months ago, with pictures about the noise issue and how to take that mesh piece off. I had some minor noise in that area as well but it seems gone now.

Now I have one very minor noise coming from the dash between steering wheel and windshield. I have to drive on really smooth surface with very little road noise so I could hear it. I can hardly duplicate it to the dealer.

rb23lb

ya i have had so many noise issues with this car, they really drove me crazy....

the worst was a ticking noise I had ALL the time from the head liner in the front...

found out finally after taking it to many dealers that it was due to the slack in a cable connecting the sun roof electronics! once they tightened it, no more ticking

bkatbamna

I had that noise too and I just opened up the head liner unit(where the sun roof and light switches are) with a credit card and wrapped the wires with felt.

How do you open that mesh that lines the top of the dashboard? Not the center(I don't have navigation or a center speaker) the noise is coming from the passenger corner area.

C300CA

I am not sure it requires a direct pull up. I tried pulling up with a "reasonable" force but it didn't budge.

I will do some search to find out that post.

Domm

There are hooks that hold those mesh pieces in place which point towards the middle. You need to find a way to slide the cover towards the A pillar. I've had a really annoying vibration from the driver side area and I can't take that mesh cover out. How'd you take off the A pillar cover?

bkatbamna

to take the A pillar cover off, you have to grab the cover and gently but firmly pull up and away from the cover. There are 2 metal clips that hold the plastic cover to the pillar. Be careful not to break of the plastic part on the cover that hold the metal clips.

Domm

Thanks. I've just been living with it for the past few months. It only occurs when there are bumpy roads at slow speeds. I'm sure if the mesh that is rattling against the dash because the mesh on the drivers side seems to be a lot closer to the dash compared to the passenger side. I can see that they aren't equally leveled by looking at the black area on the windshield and comparing

bkatbamna

If and when you get the mesh off, please post pictures of what it looks like underneath and how you removed the mesh.

Domm

http://genuinemercedesparts.com/sche.../5/5777250.gif

If you could see those drawn lines under the speaker cover. There are 90 degree hooks, both on the left and right (7 & 8), that point towards the middle speaker cover on the dash (9). We have to find a way to slide those covers towards the pillar so we don't break the hooks and then we'll be able to lift it up. If you took off the padded pillar that makes contact with those covers, I would assume it'd be a breeze taking it off.

bkatbamna

Thanks for the link. I wonder if only the metal mesh comes off or is there a "backing" material that comes off with it?

Domm

No backing material. Its just the mesh and its made out of plastic, so you have to be extremely careful not to break the hooks. Once I figure out how to remove it, I'm going to add padding under it to see if it fixes the problem.

The pillar you took off is the one that covers to airbag correct?

bkatbamna

Yes. I scratched to cloth so I ordered another plastic cover. I don't think I am going to use the metal clips. Friction will hold it in place.

bkatbamna

Ok, I tried pushing it towards the A pillar but couldn't budge it. Anyone have any ideas or anyone successfully remove it?

Domm

I tried removing the A pillar, but I was nervous that i'd break something since the lower half wouldn't budge. You need some kind of tool like a crowbar to kind of yank it towards the A pillar. There is no way to move it with your bare hands if you can't get a grip.

bkatbamna

Don't be nervous. The way to remove the a pillar is to peel the pillar away from the door area trim and then pull upwards and away.
When I shine a light on it, I don't see any slots in the dash under the grill where the grill tabs would fit in, though I know they are there.
Might be time to get a set of interior tools.

Domm

The grill tabs are hidden from view. There is about 8 of them total and the grill mesh only needs to be moved about 2/5th of an inch to be cleared.

bkatbamna

OK. I got it off. I didn't have a set of interior tools so I made my own tool.
I took a plastic spoon that was laying around and broke off the spoon part leaving the straight edge. Then I inserted that edge on the left side of the grill and gave a firm and gentle push toward the right. It came off fairly easily.
Before you try to take it off, you have to take the A pillar cover off or you will not be able to get the grill off.

Domm

Wooo I just got the grill mesh off. Time to tape padding everywhere.

Update:

After adding the felt tape to most contact points, there is still a rattle that seems to be exacerbated when the mesh grill is in place. Without the mesh grill, there is still a slight rattle but it can barely be heard. I am out of ideas on what the problem could be, but it is localized around the grill mesh area.

bkatbamna

It may be the rubber that's under the dash that's hitting the metal grill. put felt under the dash where it meets the windshield.

AllieNaquint

you have to grab the cover and gently but firmly pull up and away from the cover.

Domm

Have you fixed your noise?

bkatbamna

No, the problem is that I can't find anything in that recess that is hitting on anything. As it is on the passanger side, it is tough to put my fingers in there while driving so I need to have someone else drive it.
I am not sure now that there is anything in that recess that could cause that noise. I am wondering if I need to remove the glove box to feel around there.
The noise is still driving me crazy.

bkatbamna

Anyone have any ideas what to check next? Seems like the sound is being transmitted up the a pillar via the airbag wire. I have the a pillar off and the dash grill off but can't seem to locate exactly where the noise is coming from.

eliteskill

I have the same problem with my 09 c350 as well. Its really annoying for a car at this price to have noises like this. =/

I cant find where its coming from either.