SL/R231: Noise From Roof
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 116
Likes: 33
From: Michigan
Bentley Continental GTS / SL 550/SL 63/Dodge Charger/RAM Truck/2021 Genesis GV 80
Noise From Roof
Hello Friends,
I have a 2015 SL 550, 20,00 miles. I am getting an annoying noise coming from the upper right retractable roof (assuming in the mechanism). When the top is down, I do not have the noise, only when traveling. I took it to the body shop and they could not determine where the sound was originating from.
Any one else have this issue? If so, what was the fix?
Thank you,
JD
I have a 2015 SL 550, 20,00 miles. I am getting an annoying noise coming from the upper right retractable roof (assuming in the mechanism). When the top is down, I do not have the noise, only when traveling. I took it to the body shop and they could not determine where the sound was originating from.
Any one else have this issue? If so, what was the fix?
Thank you,
JD
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 116
Likes: 33
From: Michigan
Bentley Continental GTS / SL 550/SL 63/Dodge Charger/RAM Truck/2021 Genesis GV 80
Thank you, That is my next step. However, if I were able to find someone who has had this problem, I would know if the dealer is ripping me off as they tend to do.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 349
Likes: 56
From: Massachusetts
1986 560SL, 2017 E300, 2018 Sl550, 2020 E350
Can you describe the noise ?
Also do a search for vario roof noises and you will find info describing how to treat the rubber seals on the various sections of the top components. My car is a 2018 with 14K miles; I just did the "KRYTOX" treatment and plan to do it every yr or two to keep the rubber supple and prevent noises that develop when the rubber gets hardened or dirty.
Word of caution.....I'd only use the MB recommended Krytox not anything else (big difference in results....over the counter products leave sticky residue and can gum up the drains (in some cases pretty small passages) and then the drains will back up and flood out the trunk ect.
So....bottom line: Do the search, buy the Krytox (I can't recall now but, I bought it from eBay or Amazon for less than from MB but, read up, use the right stuff and I'd wager the issue you have will be fixed and your seals will thank you
Also do a search for vario roof noises and you will find info describing how to treat the rubber seals on the various sections of the top components. My car is a 2018 with 14K miles; I just did the "KRYTOX" treatment and plan to do it every yr or two to keep the rubber supple and prevent noises that develop when the rubber gets hardened or dirty.
Word of caution.....I'd only use the MB recommended Krytox not anything else (big difference in results....over the counter products leave sticky residue and can gum up the drains (in some cases pretty small passages) and then the drains will back up and flood out the trunk ect.
So....bottom line: Do the search, buy the Krytox (I can't recall now but, I bought it from eBay or Amazon for less than from MB but, read up, use the right stuff and I'd wager the issue you have will be fixed and your seals will thank you
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 116
Likes: 33
From: Michigan
Bentley Continental GTS / SL 550/SL 63/Dodge Charger/RAM Truck/2021 Genesis GV 80
Hey Steve,
The noise is the typical slight rattle/low volume ticking/knocking only when I am driving. I am not sure if it is the rubber seals. The vehicle has always been in the garage in good climate. What exactly does the Krytox accomplish or what is it?
Thanks Steve!
Joe
The noise is the typical slight rattle/low volume ticking/knocking only when I am driving. I am not sure if it is the rubber seals. The vehicle has always been in the garage in good climate. What exactly does the Krytox accomplish or what is it?
Thanks Steve!
Joe
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 936
From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
Hello Friends,
I have a 2015 SL 550, 20,00 miles. I am getting an annoying noise coming from the upper right retractable roof (assuming in the mechanism). When the top is down, I do not have the noise, only when traveling. I took it to the body shop and they could not determine where the sound was originating from.
Any one else have this issue? If so, what was the fix?
Thank you,
JD
I have a 2015 SL 550, 20,00 miles. I am getting an annoying noise coming from the upper right retractable roof (assuming in the mechanism). When the top is down, I do not have the noise, only when traveling. I took it to the body shop and they could not determine where the sound was originating from.
Any one else have this issue? If so, what was the fix?
Thank you,
JD
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 116
Likes: 33
From: Michigan
Bentley Continental GTS / SL 550/SL 63/Dodge Charger/RAM Truck/2021 Genesis GV 80
It is definitely not coming from the sun screen. My best guess is the retractable arm assembly for the roof.
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 349
Likes: 56
From: Massachusetts
1986 560SL, 2017 E300, 2018 Sl550, 2020 E350
Hi Joe,
Yup that is the general ide per the VW video but, you don't need a special cleaning tool as just a clean lint free (lint free important as it won't make a mess AND won't get FUD into the drain tubes that are part of the rubber seals0
Just get the roof in the 1/2 opened position (make sure it stys there/ maybe use a prop stick ect as some searches will show you) .....wipe out the rubbers and channels water or little alcohol ..then apply the Krytox (only Krytox)....do not run it in like the VW gus shows...a little goes a long way !
I put a small thin line along the rubbers and then work in with my fingers all around until it is absorbed into the rubber. (works great and does NOT leave a residue like lots of aftermarket products do
I did roof, trunk, under hood and door seals and used less than 1/2 of the small bottle so it goes a long way.
As far as the noise you hear: Seals can make funny noises so could be the rubber seals but, also the latching mechanism is in the 1'st roof panel at the front (open your roof and take a look...you will see the clamping mech (a solenoid motor pulls a lever rod and the L & R clamps in the roof section seize around the roller pins in the windshield header.........so what you hear could be the mech in the front of the vario roof panel.
Hope the above is some help.
Yup that is the general ide per the VW video but, you don't need a special cleaning tool as just a clean lint free (lint free important as it won't make a mess AND won't get FUD into the drain tubes that are part of the rubber seals0
Just get the roof in the 1/2 opened position (make sure it stys there/ maybe use a prop stick ect as some searches will show you) .....wipe out the rubbers and channels water or little alcohol ..then apply the Krytox (only Krytox)....do not run it in like the VW gus shows...a little goes a long way !
I put a small thin line along the rubbers and then work in with my fingers all around until it is absorbed into the rubber. (works great and does NOT leave a residue like lots of aftermarket products do
I did roof, trunk, under hood and door seals and used less than 1/2 of the small bottle so it goes a long way.
As far as the noise you hear: Seals can make funny noises so could be the rubber seals but, also the latching mechanism is in the 1'st roof panel at the front (open your roof and take a look...you will see the clamping mech (a solenoid motor pulls a lever rod and the L & R clamps in the roof section seize around the roller pins in the windshield header.........so what you hear could be the mech in the front of the vario roof panel.
Hope the above is some help.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 116
Likes: 33
From: Michigan
Bentley Continental GTS / SL 550/SL 63/Dodge Charger/RAM Truck/2021 Genesis GV 80
Hey Steve,
Thank you for taking the time to give me your detailed suggestion(s). I will order the Krytox now and perform the above and see what happens!
Thanks again Steve,
Joe
Thank you for taking the time to give me your detailed suggestion(s). I will order the Krytox now and perform the above and see what happens!
Thanks again Steve,
Joe
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 116
Likes: 33
From: Michigan
Bentley Continental GTS / SL 550/SL 63/Dodge Charger/RAM Truck/2021 Genesis GV 80
Hey Steve,
Which Krytox? there are several available and the pricing is all over the board.
Both Ebay and Amazon.
Thanks,
Joe
Which Krytox? there are several available and the pricing is all over the board.
Both Ebay and Amazon.
Thanks,
Joe
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 661
Likes: 302
From: Franklin, TN
2019 E450 wagon: 2019 BMW 430i: 2013 Chevy Traverse: (departed)2013 SL550 & 2019 E450 cab
I also had an annoying noise that came into play at irregular times, in the roof area where the retraction mechanism goes through the plastic headliner border. I found the point where it was rubbing up against the metal, and just shaved off enough of the plastic to keep them from interfering with each other. My sound was a like a rubbing noise, not really a vibration. Since the trim job, no more noise.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 116
Likes: 33
From: Michigan
Bentley Continental GTS / SL 550/SL 63/Dodge Charger/RAM Truck/2021 Genesis GV 80
Thank you Tennessee, however, this is definitely not that. The sound is as a car going down a bumpy road and you get that gentle annoying slight knocking noise.
My guess is something is loose, or two pieces of metal tapping one another as you hit any slight bump in the road.
I am going to try the Krytox which was suggested above, just doing the best I can.
Thanks again!
Joe
My guess is something is loose, or two pieces of metal tapping one another as you hit any slight bump in the road.
I am going to try the Krytox which was suggested above, just doing the best I can.
Thanks again!
Joe
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
2014 SL550
Start with the simplest. My 2014 has a rattle in the roof when my tire pressure isn't correct. The run flats make setting the correct pressure pretty important or the ride suffers greatly. Not sure if you checked that already.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 116
Likes: 33
From: Michigan
Bentley Continental GTS / SL 550/SL 63/Dodge Charger/RAM Truck/2021 Genesis GV 80
Hey Jeff,
Yes I did check that. The right rear was actually low on air, filled, no change.
Thank you,
Joe
Yes I did check that. The right rear was actually low on air, filled, no change.
Thank you,
Joe
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 47
Likes: 13
2003 SL500, 2013 SL550, 2018 GLE 350
I also had an annoying noise that came into play at irregular times, in the roof area where the retraction mechanism goes through the plastic headliner border. I found the point where it was rubbing up against the metal, and just shaved off enough of the plastic to keep them from interfering with each other. My sound was a like a rubbing noise, not really a vibration. Since the trim job, no more noise.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 661
Likes: 302
From: Franklin, TN
2019 E450 wagon: 2019 BMW 430i: 2013 Chevy Traverse: (departed)2013 SL550 & 2019 E450 cab
Since we no longer have the SL, a photo will not be possible. All I can share is that when sitting in the drivers seat, and reaching back past my left ear, there is an opening in the plastic headliner where the roof mechanism extends down into the cabin. It was at that point where we had the inner roof panel rubbing against the folding top mechanism. I just shaved off a bit of the plastic and the noise was gone. Hope that makes sense, I cannot think of any other way to describe it.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 47
Likes: 13
2003 SL500, 2013 SL550, 2018 GLE 350
Since we no longer have the SL, a photo will not be possible. All I can share is that when sitting in the drivers seat, and reaching back past my left ear, there is an opening in the plastic headliner where the roof mechanism extends down into the cabin. It was at that point where we had the inner roof panel rubbing against the folding top mechanism. I just shaved off a bit of the plastic and the noise was gone. Hope that makes sense, I cannot think of any other way to describe it.
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