Fixed the rattly passenger headrest at last

[b1g1an]

Third time lucky but finally succeeded, there's several posts about that say spread the legs of the headrest but that's no good if you have the memory pack due to the way they attach. I know a lot of others suffer with this so here's what worked for me.

Remove back of seat by removing two screws at bottom, sliding it down and then pulling out from the top. Then unclip the seat cover at the top, it's obvious how to do it when it's in front of you, so you can get at the top of the guides. If you run your finger up the back of the guide you'll feel the metal frame of the seat and it is this gap that needs a tight wedge pushed into it. Up to you what you use but you need something that will be a bit fatter than one of you're fingers when fully compressed, I tried it with foam the first time and it wasn't solid enough to stop the noise, you need something that needs forcing in. I used a centimetre thick piece of felt folded in half but a pencil rubber that's thick enough would work just as well I guess.

Wedge both the guides tight and you're done. My only problem now is the very slight and occasional rattle from the driver's door, only when the window is closed oddly, which now seems much louder and more annoying in the otherwise blissful silence, tackle that one next week

 

[mlawson]

I have exactly the same problems, are you by any chance driving a CLS?

I shall attempt your fix of the headrest problem, but I also too have a door rattle. When I bought the car the drivers window wouldn't move but the garage fixed it. However, it has a distinctive rattle - actually worst when you close the door. Sounds like closing the door on an old Skoda. All the other doors are fine.

Anxious to get these niggles fixed, apart from that the car is perfect.

 

[Abb]

are you by any chance driving a CLS?

Surely a wind up??!!

 

[def90cars]

I had both these issues when mine was new in 2006.
Warranty jobs.

The seat was fixed but the window mechanism was replaced.
Loose "rivets" on the bracket holding the glass according to the dealer at the time.

 

[ChrisA]

Surely a wind up??!!

I think he drives a CLS and had same issues, as did my car...

 

[b1g1an]

I do indeed, hence the pic and Clarkson quote.

Never did suss the door, neither did the dealer as it disappears for weeks and then comes back for a while but winding the window down a couple of inches and then back up keeps it quiet until the next time you open the door.

Another way to shut the headrest up is to use a big cable tie to pull the guides towards each other.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

My passenger seat headrest also rattles from time to time, I'll try this at the weekend cheers.

 

[mlawson]

That's a good idea, hadn't considered cable ties. At least it will help identify the problem area in lieu of a more permanent fix. I've already had the seat back off several times and even swapped headrests (the drivers side is ok).

Replacing a window mechanism sounds like an expensive fix though, I am out of warranty now. Might DIY when summer comes, and just cough when I close the door to hide the old skoda noise in the meantime. haha

 

[Deezell]

For rattly/stuck W205 headrest here's a how-to fix I posted here.
Manual headrest stuck in c class w205 - MBWorld.org Forums