Rattle in B-Pillar (w211 e320cdi)
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Joined: Sep 2009
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R1150GS
Rattle in B-Pillar (w211 e320cdi)
I've had a rattle in my b-pillar since I bought my '06 e320cdi as a cpo about a year and a half ago. I've been to the dealer a few times, each time they hear and acknowledge the rattle, say they fixed it, and give me the car back with the same rattle. I went to another dealer twice and had essentially the same exact experience.
The rattle isn't on the surface, like the plastic pieces around the belt adjuster, but it seems to be inside the pillar. It doesn't rattle over every bump, or even just big ones, but occasionally I'll hear the noise as I go over a bump, or an expansion joint, or even if I'm going slow and there's chassis flex like when I back out of my driveway, or turn up a ramp in a parking garage. The rattle is more like a dull thunk or a muted clunk than a consistent or buzzing kind of rattle.
Anyway, I'm looking to troubleshoot and fix it myself now as I'm tired of asking someone else to do so. (I don't want this thread to be about dealer bashing or 'go fight the dealer and make them own it' kind of discussion). My first question is, how do I disassemble the b-pillar? I don't see any obvious clips or screws so I'm inclined to pry/pull the cover off, but before I go hamfisted at my car I thought I'd ask for some wisdom from this group.
Thanks,
Steve
The rattle isn't on the surface, like the plastic pieces around the belt adjuster, but it seems to be inside the pillar. It doesn't rattle over every bump, or even just big ones, but occasionally I'll hear the noise as I go over a bump, or an expansion joint, or even if I'm going slow and there's chassis flex like when I back out of my driveway, or turn up a ramp in a parking garage. The rattle is more like a dull thunk or a muted clunk than a consistent or buzzing kind of rattle.
Anyway, I'm looking to troubleshoot and fix it myself now as I'm tired of asking someone else to do so. (I don't want this thread to be about dealer bashing or 'go fight the dealer and make them own it' kind of discussion). My first question is, how do I disassemble the b-pillar? I don't see any obvious clips or screws so I'm inclined to pry/pull the cover off, but before I go hamfisted at my car I thought I'd ask for some wisdom from this group.
Thanks,
Steve
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Joined: Sep 2009
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R1150GS
I will follow up
Very funny, Silly_Me. Good thing I'm not very sensitive about my madness 
I got the info I need to get started via a pm, so I promise I'll follow up after I try to fix the rattle. Just to level set though, between Easter and some motorcycle-related commitments it'll be at least a few weeks before I have time to look at this...
Cheers!
I got the info I need to get started via a pm, so I promise I'll follow up after I try to fix the rattle. Just to level set though, between Easter and some motorcycle-related commitments it'll be at least a few weeks before I have time to look at this...
Cheers!
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From: Virginia
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
rattles are everywhere in this car. The diesel resonance can make interior pieces buzz when the engine is cold or at low RPMs, but I can't believe the number of things that just rattle for no reason whatsoever (headrests, seatbelt tensioners, sunroof shades when the car is idling at 1mph). I feel like I'm discovering more every day. My 420 SEL rattles when I go over a bump, my car just never stops rattling, and when I hit a bump, my sunroof Pops! Jesus.. I'm ranting, but I'm just getting disgusted. I love the engine, power and fuel economy, but why can't this thing be of decent quality? I'm sick of getting into friend's mid 2000's Japanese econo cars and feeling like they're of a higher quality. How bad is a 335d? That's the only decent diesel alternative I can think of...
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 18
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2004 E500 4 Matic
Anyone else have...and hopefully solve...this problem? I've got the same one or something similar and I'd like to fix it. (Mine sounds like something rather heavy rattling against the inside of the pillar plastic.)
Thanks!
Thanks!
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 12
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2005 e320 cdi
I do have some rattles, however this is by far the most solid and rattle free car I have ever owned. My lexus has far more rattles and don't get me started about brand new american cars a week after buying them. I am very annoyed by rattles and the few that I have found in the diesel have been the passenger headrest which goes away with a passenger or weight on the seat. The passenger rear ashtray vibrates so I leave it open, and the passenger under seat compartment buzzes so I filled the compartment and now that is gone. As long as I have a passenger, I have a completely silent car and with 110k miles that is astounding to me.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 431
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From: Cross Roads, PA
2008 ML320CDI
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 1
From: WMSBG, VA
1991 F-150, 1976 912E, 2006 E500 Wagon
Everytime I see this thread, I remember:
Back around 1970, when there were a lot of labor problems in GM plants, they had a great increase in complaints about rattling in rocker panels, especially from one plant in Ohio; then they discovered that the assembly line people were dropping their pop cans and bottles into the rockers before they welded them in place.
Did M-B have any strikes looming when your cars were built?
Did M-B have any strikes looming when your cars were built?
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 108
Likes: 2
2011 Toyota Tundra DC 4X4 Limited
^^^ This exactly. I just replaced my B-pillar cover and took a bunch of pictures.
Very simple job. I have a write up at Pelican Parts.
Follw this link
Very simple job. I have a write up at Pelican Parts.
Follw this link
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3
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From: South Florida
2009 E-Class
I've had this same rattle on-and-off on my passenger side B-pillar for years now. It sounds like its up by the seat belt shoulder height adjuster. Anybody get it cleared up?
Last edited by justaloco; Mar 15, 2018 at 12:12 PM.
