Rattle in the B-pillar

[block58]

I have a rattle which is coming from behind my seatbelt, at first I thought it was the seatbelt adjuster but I took that all off, leaving only the frame of the car behind and went for a drive, and the rattle was still there.

Usually I would just put up with it, but given that it is right beside my ear it can become quite annoying after not long

I tried pulling off all the trim and part of the roof lining and sticking some wire in all of the holes I could find to try dislodge anything that might be loose in there, but couldn't find anything

Any suggestions on how I go about fixing it?

Cheers

[TheInterceptor]

There arent many access holes to get behind there...maybe unbolt the belt off the pillar and blow compressed air through it? I was also thinking expandafoam...but dont think thatd spread/expand through the whole pillar before it hardens?

[block58]

Hadn't thought of compressed air, I'll give that a try, thanks!

[TheInterceptor]

No worries, lemme know how ya go!

[block58]

So I gave compressed air a shot this morning, sprayed it in every hole I found in the b pillar and the rattle still remains. I'm starting to think it might be more of a squeak, as in one of the spot welds has come loose on the inside and the metal is rubbing together...

[BHDOGS]

might be the metal rod for the door lock hitting on the door metal when you go over a bump

[block58]

I don't think that could be it as its coming from the very top of the pillar, but I'll have a look cos I'll try anything at this stage. Cheers

[Jim Goose]

A sad and interesting story from a former Ford employee on the assembly line in the 1980s.... was that they would occasionally (deliberately) leave a washer or a bolt in the B pillar as a joke (sad i know).

[BHDOGS]

Hmm I'd check the door rubbers on the outside near the top and on the window never know might work lol

[block58]

Haha don't tell me that Jim, cos it sounds exactly like that!

Cheers BHDOGS, will give all your suggestions a once over next time I have the chance

[block58]

Well after having a closer look I've discovered it isn't a rattle, but a squeak. It is caused by the back door moving when going over bumps, which slightly flexes the b-pillar causing bits inside it to rub together, making squeaking noises at the very top. It just sounds like a rattle because the squeaks are so short.

Any ideas on how to go about solving this, or will I just need to get someone to stick a spot welder in the holes and go to town on it?

Cheers

[portokatsiki]

Try applying silicon spray on all the rubbers on the doors and a ,b, pillars. Some years ago my brother had a similar problem on his Audi and the dealer sprayed some silicon on all the rubbers and fixed the problem.

[cedric]

mine does this too let us know how you go

[block58]

Will give it a go portokatsiki, although I imagine this isn't the issue as it squeaks when the door is all the way open and not touching any rubbers.

Shall do cedric, out of curiosity has your cat done much towing at all? Because the previous owners of mine went across the Nullarbor a couple of times with a caravan attached so maybe it has caused some minor warping of the chassis?

[cedric]

my cat doesn,t have a tow bar neither does my car (don't really have a cat, more of a dog person !!!)

[galaxy xr8]

Mine has a similar rattle in the same area, and never towed.

[BHDOGS]

I had something similar turned out the rear door trim bolt had come lose and was letting the handle move around in the door

[block58]

Originally Posted by cedric

my cat doesn,t have a tow bar neither does my car (don't really have a cat, more of a dog person !!!)

Haha my bad, my typing has been a bit paw lately.

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

Mine has a similar rattle in the same area, and never towed.

Well I'm glad to hear that its not just me then, and that all the towing hasn't done any damage.

If you listen to the pillar with the back door open and move it up and down do you get a squeak coming from behind the seatbelt adjuster?

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

I had something similar turned out the rear door trim bolt had come lose and was letting the handle move around in the door

If only it was something that simple, will have a look anyway just to make sure I have exhausted everything it could be.

Cheers

[galaxy xr8]

I am not sure mate, I will have to check it out, I know it does it while driving, but squeaks don't really bother me that much.

[cedric]

my au ute does it as well but it seems more in the top of the seatbelt

[block58]

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

I am not sure mate, I will have to check it out, I know it does it while driving, but squeaks don't really bother me that much.

Cheers mate.

Originally Posted by cedric

my au ute does it as well but it seems more in the top of the seatbelt

I had an AU Fairmont hire car while mine was getting repairs done today which did it too, but not as obnoxiously. Must be a common fault that doesn't really bother anybody but me.

[auIILTD]

Block, how did you go with this?

Stu