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Rear Seat rattle

Stevie1982

Active Member
Joined
May 8, 2016
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501
Car
2014 C63 AMG
2015 W212 E63 AMG Estate, been using the car for a couple of weeks and dropped the rear seats a couple of days ago as we were collecting loads of bits. Since putting the seats back up there's a distinctive rattle coming from the rear passenger side. Unhooked the load cover so it's not that, I don't belive it to be the pan Roof as open or closed the rattle is still there. I've sat in the back and knocked the panels, doors, backs of seats to see if something is loose.

The only thing I can locate is if I tap the back of the rear seat from the boot side whilst it is locked upright there is a rattle which sounds as if it is coming from the internals.

Anyone have this is or similar and can shed any light on it?
 
Estate cars usually get an issue with the latch on the rear folding seat, usually solved by wrapping something around the little bar/rod that the seat latch attaches to.

Over time the metal on the rod can wear away and leave a small gap that gives some play
 
Estate cars usually get an issue with the latch on the rear folding seat, usually solved by wrapping something around the little bar/rod that the seat latch attaches to.

Over time the metal on the rod can wear away and leave a small gap that gives some play
Thanks, I'll take a look. Assume some tape or foam will do the trick
 
Yes, I just used electrical tape on my old BMW. Not too thick. When it wore out, I just reapplied.

Hopefully your problem is this simple to fix!
 
So had some white foam tubing used to protect the bars on the Pram we just bought. Cut a small section out and used that. Made no difference, maybe it's not dense enough?

Also dropped the arm rest with the seat in its normal position and it got slightly more exaggerated. The car does not have the through loader.

Lastly dropped the seat section and the rattle stopped so it's definitely the rear passenger side that's causing the problem and not the pan Roof.

I've got some duct tape so I'll try using some of that to see if that sorts it. Any suggestions as to how much or how many wrap around to use?
 
Hi Stevie1982, I've just registered with the forum because I have been trying to find an answer to this for over a year (including finding this thread last week) and finally solved the problem yesterday. It's fair to say the rattling has been driving me up the wall and as I've found the solution it seems only fair to pass it on.
It seems that some people have managed to solve the rattle by wrapping duct tape round the bar on the seat back which goes into the catch - it didn't work for me.

This is the exact rattle that I had: Wagon rear seat rattle - MBWorld.org Forums

There is a related thread on that forum: S212 rear seat backrest removal - MBWorld.org Forums

And at the bottom of the thread is this advice:

@carlsbadbill I had the exact same rear seatback rattle you describe in my 2016 E350 wagon and was able to fix it myself. I'm not very handy and was terrified to ruin my seat but this turned out to be a simple fix.
For me, the sound was most easy to replicate if I hit the front of the seatback firmly near the armrest. It was kind of a rattle accompanied by a short metallic buzz. I wish I'd taken some photos but here's a brief description:

Fold the seat back down. The carpeted, rectangular floor piece in the cargo hold directly behind the seat can easily be lifted out to provide a little extra work space. Pull firmly up on either side.

I did not remove the carpeted seatback. Instead, I detached the fabric at the bottom of the carpeted seatback just enough to reach my hand in. Use a flat head screw driver to gently push down into the seam and then pry back. Start near the corner and work your way across the bottom prying every 3 to 4 inches. You will begin to expose a soft, plastic "U" channel that is affixed to the fabric. Don't pry any one position to far or you may crease the plastic U channel. Also don't worry, this reattached easily for me.

Once you have opened this seam (at the bottom only) then you should be able to reach your hand between a metal plate (essentially the carpeted the seat back) and the seat foam. Near the center, just a few inches inside you will feel a metal rod. You can "pluck" that rod and notice that it really vibrates. I agree that the sound seemed to come from the center of the seat, however, I jammed a microfiber towel between that rod and the metal plate very close to the bottom of the seat and this eliminated the noise completely.

To close it back up, just push the plastic U channel back under the metal plate. I was able to get this seam closed 95% by hand and got it factory tight with a few taps by a rubber mallet.

I was prepared to be frustrated but this was all very simple and I only wish I'd done it sooner. 20 minute job.


I followed this advice, although used a plastic trim removal tool rather than a screwdriver to avoid damaging the leather or plastic U channel which is pushed into the join as described. You don't need to push the tool in very far to be able to lever the U channel out - once it starts coming you can grip it tightly and pull it out further with your fingers if you are worried about the levering damaging something.
I needed to prise out the whole bottom seam to allow enough slack to get my hand into the seat back. It's quite tight access - you need to push in between the foam of the seat material and the metal backplate which the carpeted section is attached to. You'll feel the rod which runs about half the width of the seat. I stuffed a couple of microfibre cloths between the rod and metal plate using the trim removal tool as its probably only a 5-10mm gap and is tricky with fingers while also holding the foam out of the way. Refitting the U channel back into the seam join was pretty easy as described above. It could be pushed in with my thumbs and although I did tap lightly with a rubber mallet it didn't really need it. And it was indeed only a 20 minute job overall.

And the best bit - I took the car for a drive afterwards and the rattle is gone....OMG, bliss!

If it helps to see pictures of what you are dealing with inside the seat, this thread where someone replaces their seat back with a ski hatch version is useful. The 5th picture down shows the metal seat backplate and the rod you are padding is at the bottom of the picture.


I hope that helps and good luck with the fix if you attempt it!
Ben
 

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