Rattle over my right shoulder - SL500 R230

[mirras]

I have the most annoying rattle in my car... behind me, just over my right shoulder. I have been through every bit of trim, replaced all worn or broken clips, replaced the intermediate pivot bolts on the roof mechanism and tighened up the roof latches. It is only evident at low speed with the ABC set to hard. Has anyone else experienced this and if so how to I tackle it? It's the only rattle and creak I have left to fix. it could be the rear quarter window or the roof mechanism, I have looked at all the joints and mating parts but nothing seems to be loose or rattle.

Thanks
Robert

 

[Animal Mother]

my CLS does it. It turned out to be the seatbelt height adjuster. I just moved it up one setting and it's stopped.

 

[Burger]

Don't mean this to be a silly question, it's just we all describe things differently sometimes... This noise is definitely a rattle? It's the not cracking noise say that the glass stuck on the roof rubber channel might make? (My R230 does that occasionally). As a rattle is it plastic sounding, like say a loose cable tapping on a body panel or is it more a metallic rattle like a loose washer or bolt might sound? Just asking this as it might help narrow down the cause.

 

[whitenemesis]

my CLS does it. It turned out to be the seatbelt height adjuster. I just moved it up one setting and it's stopped.

Yup! Same here on my 203. Worse in the warmer weather.

 

[mirras]

Thanks for the responses...

It's not the seatbelt as this doesn't adjust and is mounted on the seat, the noise is from further back in the car...

It's difficult to describe the noise in words... to help here are the rattles and clunks I have cured...

The first was a plasticy rattle from the o/s A pillar trim, I bought some replacement trim clips and this went away.

The next was a "cracking" noise where the roof latches are on the top of the windscreen, I cured this by adjusting the position of the latches forward a fraction.

A buzzy rattle at my right ear was traced to the roof release cable that runs inside the roof lining. I dropped the lining and padded the cable so it no longer rattles in the clips.

It doesn't sound like any of the above, I'll try and think of a way to describe the noise but to me it sounds like an aluminium on aluminium clunky rattle.

Cheers
Robert

 

[BlackC55]

It could be from inside the fuel tank. A issue I have heard many times.

The cure is expensive......

 

[mirras]

It could be from inside the fuel tank. A issue I have heard many times.

The cure is expensive......

Earplugs it is then

 

[Animal Mother]

Buy some silicon spray (from Lidl) and spray liberally.

 

[Burger]

One thing that surprised me when I had the rear inner panels off my R230 the other day was how all the cable ties are left at their full lengths instead of being cut off. They're not re-usable and so there's no point leaving 7 or 8 inches of cable tie flapping around. Wonder if your rattle could be one of these making contact with the body or a panel?

Regards,

 

[lxi]

I have the most annoying rattle in my car... behind me, just over my right shoulder. Has anyone else experienced this

Oh yes. Infuriating isn't it?

I think it might be the rear window sticking in the roof seal - I only thought this this week - the car was covered in dew in one morning, so I dropped all windows to clear - lo and behold, the noise went too.

Try driving with the windows down - if there's no noise, that is a strong indication where it's coming from.

I'm going to reset the windows later today by putting something at the top (just a couple of mm) so after reset & thing removed, the windows wont close quite to tight & see if that helps.

If you try other things & succeed PLEASE post what it was - you will have an immediate fan club of R230 owners !!!!!!

 

[Burger]

I wouldn't reset the windows with them down a little. The rear windows not only seal into the roof channel but they also seal against the rear of the front windows. With them down a little I bet you'll have leaks galore.

Regards,

 

[lxi]

I wouldn't reset the windows with them down a little. The rear windows not only seal into the roof channel but they also seal against the rear of the front windows. With them down a little I bet you'll have leaks galore.

Regards,

True - but I am talking about a few mm vertical which will have very little effect on the seal front/rear window which is a tapered (on the vertical)seal - I've done it now so will report back on (a) noise & (b) leaks

 

[jaymanek]

One thing that surprised me when I had the rear inner panels off my R230 the other day was how all the cable ties are left at their full lengths instead of being cut off. They're not re-usable and so there's no point leaving 7 or 8 inches of cable tie flapping around. Wonder if your rattle could be one of these making contact with the body or a panel?

Regards,

That doesnt sound like factory work to me. Almost all the ties I have ever seen on Mercedes are the reusable type, ive never seen any standard cable ties used. Are you sure no one has been there?

 

[Burger]

That doesnt sound like factory work to me. Almost all the ties I have ever seen on Mercedes are the reusable type, ive never seen any standard cable ties used. Are you sure no one has been there?

Well now, to be honest, if there's any mistake it's probably mine in saying they're not reusable. I guess I didn't check that closely. It certainly didn't look as though anyone had been in there before. Next time I'm in there I'll have a good look. However, even re-usable ones are usually cut off to a sensible length instead of leaving 6 inches plus flapping around.

Thanks,

 

[Burger]

I just remembered that when my car was in the dealers last week and they inspected the heated rear window for me, it came back with the most annoying, constant, intolerable rattle from just over my right shoulder. It was still there the next day and feeling around I couldn't find anything loose. The following day I put the roof down and back up and the 'rattle' was gone. On speaking to the dealer, they said next time it's in they'll lubricate the rubber seals as that was the most likely cause.

This fits with what's been said with the windows down too.

 

[mirras]

Thanks for all the ideas,

I have lubricated the entire folding mechanisim, put the felt side of velcro tape between any mating parts that I can see ( where it won't interfere with normal operation). I keep the roof seals well lubricated using the Merc lubricating oil. I have adjusted all the catches and 'hooks' to make absolutely sure they operate as they should....

Yesterday I removed all the trim around the rear interior and removed the wind deflector, there are indeed many untrimmed cable ties which I duly trimmed. I made sure there were no cables or pipes touching.....


and the noise is still there...


The last port of call I think is the rear window regulator....

 

[lxi]

I wouldn't reset the windows with them down a little. The rear windows not only seal into the roof channel but they also seal against the rear of the front windows. With them down a little I bet you'll have leaks galore.

Regards,

You lost that bet - not a drop even with the hose on full standing towards the rear of the car and blasting the strip joining front & rear windows.

 

[Burger]

You lost that bet - not a drop even with the hose on full standing towards the rear of the car and blasting the strip joining front & rear windows.

Good to know.

Here's another one that might be worth checking. Was just out for a drive and there was a really annoying rattle that sounded to me as though it was from behind the passenger seat. Turned out to be the passenger sun visor. A little pressure on it and the rattle was gone.

Of course if they'd just build flat roads in this country instead of constantly going out of their way to prove what a third rate nation we've become, we wouldn't have any rattles.

Regards,

 

[dannyfiveforty]

Sorry to bring up an old thread. Mirras, did you ever solve your rattle?

Thanks,

 

[mirras]

Hi, I didn't... BUT... I now have a Volvo C70 and it had a very similar noise so I stripped the rear trim out and adjusted the rear window mechanism. It's all held on with bolts along the top edge, I just moved it out a fraction and the noise has gone. I don't know if that would have cured the issue with my SL but unfortunately it's long gone.