w203 dashboard rattles

[louisv6]

Recently bought a w203 post-facelift (2004).

It's great, but there are a number of almost unnoticeable changes over the pre-facelift which are for the worse.

Some of the plastics seem to be of lower quality, and the dashboard just doesn't seem as solid as my old pre-facelift (2001).

Is a rattly dashboard common in w203s? Car has only done 55K, and I don't remember my old one rattling at all (had done 60K before I sold it).

Both had the same sports suspension and 17" wheels from factory.

Any tips on how to stop the rattles without taking my dash apart??

Thanks all.

 

[x332race]

Mine has done same mileage but no rattles from dashboard....

Do have annoying rattle from rear though....think it is something to do with the OEM towbar that is fitted.

 

[horsesuitedfool]

No rattles from mine and its done 110k....I had one from rear, it turned out to be undertray and handbrake cable at the rear wheels.....

 

[garystu1965]

I like to think I'm a rattle expert as I have ears like dogs when it comes to unwanted noises from the cabin. Tell me where you think the rattles may be coming from. What area approx or is it a load of general rattles. Are they rattles or plastic creaks ?

 

[louisv6]

Starting to wonder if someone has taken my dash apart at some point. It did have a poorly installed bluetooth car kit which has been removed prior to my ownership, but that would only need the centre console bits removing - not the rest of it.

Pushing down on the air vent to the right of the steering wheel produces irritating squeaking, and the dash moves more than I'd expect it to.

It's not *baaad*, just irritating, and I can hear squeaking over all the bumps in the road (of which there are of course many).

There's no telling what the previous owners did - they managed to completely snap all of the clips holding on the centre vent fascia - obviously trying to remove it without knowing you have to remove everything else first!

Anyway - if anyone does know of a magic cure for fixing squeaky dashboards, please let me know. I heard of someone using silicone spray? Surely that's only a temporary fix?

 

[garystu1965]

My Lexus suffered from the plastic creaks problem and the dealer lined all the plastic console parts with felt. They fit the felt around my nav screen and central piece where the gearstick is. Problem solved. Also get them to check the clips - they could be slight play in them. Lexus admitted a fault with the early ones and replaced them. Hopefully this may help. I'm not sure Mercedes have the felt option but it worked for me. Perhaps a Merc specialist could do it for you. The only problem I do have now is squeaky door seals which I know they'll be able to fix properly when it goes in for service in two weeks.

Rattles are annoying ! Any very minor rattle in my car is noticeable because the engine is nearly silent (it's a prestige marque you see )

Hope this helps !

 

[louisv6]

Thanks for the suggestion Culpano.

I doubt very much that Mercedes will be interested in my problems - I didn't buy the car from them and it's well out of warranty now. I know some people have success in bullying them into being helpful but I'm not sure I have the patience or confidence to pull it off!

I'll pop into Hobbycraft at the weekend and experiment, but I suppose the best way of sorting it is to pull the whole dash apart and put it back together with lots of bits of felt. Bit scared about pulling the dash apart, so I might try just wedging some bits in to see if it helps!

 

[horsesuitedfool]

Thanks for the suggestion Culpano.

I doubt very much that Mercedes will be interested in my problems - I didn't buy the car from them and it's well out of warranty now. I know some people have success in bullying them into being helpful but I'm not sure I have the patience or confidence to pull it off!

I'll pop into Hobbycraft at the weekend and experiment, but I suppose the best way of sorting it is to pull the whole dash apart and put it back together with lots of bits of felt. Bit scared about pulling the dash apart, so I might try just wedging some bits in to see if it helps!

Its easy to get all those dash parts out, search on here for threads on installing comand in a w203 or check out mercupgrades.com (google it) and you will find pics and 'how to' guides for fitting comand which in turn shows you how to dismantle the dash and vents etc...!! Honestly it takes about 5 - 10 minutes to get most of it in pieces so get some sticky felt etc and take it apart and then carefully put back together but make sure you know where the squeeks and rattles are eminating from though or you will be randomly covering the car in felt and might still have all the squeeks and rattles!!

 

[bpsorrel]

Mine has done same mileage but no rattles from dashboard....

Do have annoying rattle from rear though....think it is something to do with the OEM towbar that is fitted.

That rattley rear might turn out to be your parcel shelf! Try putting some rubber strips on the edge where it meets the side panels. Worked with my wifes. The rattling drove us crazy and I thought it was the pano roof at first.

 

[x332race]

Yes, dead easy to take out centre console, radio etc see mercupgrades.....bit fiddly to undo clips to air vents but can be done with screwdrivers with patience. I initially thought this would be a big job, but took me about an hour to take apart and put back together when I installed satnav. Have not pulled any other parts of dash to pieces (yet)!!

 

[bpsorrel]

Sounds daft but the way I remove most dash rattles (on various cars I've had) is to spray WD40 along the join lines, where the various panels and push in parts meet. Works a treat! (remember to wipe off the excess!! )

 

[x332race]

That rattley rear might turn out to be your parcel shelf! Try putting some rubber strips on the edge where it meets the side panels. Worked with my wifes. The rattling drove us crazy and I thought it was the pano roof at first.

Thanks, but it's an estate!

 

[louisv6]

Yes, dead easy to take out centre console, radio etc see mercupgrades.....bit fiddly to undo clips to air vents but can be done with screwdrivers with patience. I initially thought this would be a big job, but took me about an hour to take apart and put back together when I installed satnav. Have not pulled any other parts of dash to pieces (yet)!!

Ah yes - the centre console is easy - but unfortunately my squeaks are coming from the vents on the right hand side of the steering wheel (and actually the opposite side of the dash on the passenger side)

It seems the top part of the dash is squeaking while rubbing against the bottom part of the dash. This strikes me as a rather bigger job than the centre console which should be easy to sort.

I like the WD40 idea... I suppose even if it's not permanent, it's easy enough!!

 

[garystu1965]

Oh rattles are a bloody nightmare that can totally ruin even the best cars. They should be outlawed !

 

[SSBB]

My W203 220cdi Dec 03 also rattles from the dash and under the dash. The under dash rattle can be stopped by 'flicking' the brake pedal, Ive not loked but suspect the brake switch to be loose. The 'in dash' rattle is far more annoying and is there on anything other than mirror smooth tarmac, If I had a crowbar in the car id have ripped it out by now....trying very hard to be patient and remove dash properly.
BTW, had a very rattly fiat once ..dismantled dash and treated plastics and switches with vaseline, end of rattles.

 

[louisv6]

My W203 220cdi Dec 03 also rattles from the dash and under the dash. The under dash rattle can be stopped by 'flicking' the brake pedal, Ive not loked but suspect the brake switch to be loose. The 'in dash' rattle is far more annoying and is there on anything other than mirror smooth tarmac, If I had a crowbar in the car id have ripped it out by now....trying very hard to be patient and remove dash properly.
BTW, had a very rattly fiat once ..dismantled dash and treated plastics and switches with vaseline, end of rattles.

Ah - Vaseline . Another good suggestion - and should be permanent too. Perhaps I could brush it in to the gaps with a stiff toothbrush without having to take the dash apart. Will have a go at the weekend.

Not sure how to get excess vaseline off though

 

[azaman]

My W203 220cdi Dec 03 also rattles from the dash and under the dash. The under dash rattle can be stopped by 'flicking' the brake pedal, Ive not loked but suspect the brake switch to be loose. The 'in dash' rattle is far more annoying and is there on anything other than mirror smooth tarmac, If I had a crowbar in the car id have ripped it out by now....trying very hard to be patient and remove dash properly.
BTW, had a very rattly fiat once ..dismantled dash and treated plastics and switches with vaseline, end of rattles.

So once you've worked out how to get the dash out please share the love, I have a loud rattle at 1,000 rpm from somewhere deep in the dash.

 

[SSBB]

Im off to Scotland this weekend to see (and listen to) Andrea Bocelli sing some songs On monday I'll remove the dash (and brake switch), treat with vaseline and report back. As far as Im aware, the dash just pulls out from the two holes at the front.

 

[Mr Nicey]

It's not the dash. It's the rubber seals within the door shuts, I had the same problem on my two W124's the sounds just sounds like it's the dash. You need to get some white spirit on the rubbers and clean the thoroughly also clean all interior door hinges and anywhere movement of grit and dry rubber on rubber occurs and then lube with WD40 and

SILENCE