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  #1  
Old 07-31-2002, 01:53 PM
BlackE55
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Rattling Cont...

I removed the rear door panel. Nothing suspicious. Wife drove me around, while I listened in from the rear seat. Still rattling.

Sounds like lower B-pillar. It's really hard to isolate, no other rattle noises to compete with and it's quiet inside as you guys all know.

Put door panel back on and removed B-pillar panel. Again, nothing loose or suspicious. Belt works properly etc. Again, drove around with me listening in the back. Sounded like the very bottom of the B pillar, ----- almost from inside the belt REEL ?? I'd put my hand on the reel, no difference and pulled on the belt to put tension on the reel, still rattling.

It's not from the outside, the only thing I can think of is the seat belt (the reel itself) or *possibly* the front pass door somehow got out of alignment and is rattling in it's latch. I think I already tried driving with it open and noise was still there.

The car has to be moving over sharp bumps at a decent clip, big wallows don't do it. Seems more evident when there is a decent amount of momentum either fore or aft when riding over the bumps. Is the seat belt somehow related to this? Even when not in use?

Stumped!?!



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  #2  
Old 08-01-2002, 03:46 PM
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Now that you've eleminated all the earlier possibilities, here's one that could be in the area. Check the end of the seatbelt, the part that is bolted to the floor. You might have to carfully pry open the plastic cover to get a better "feel", but could it be the metal tab of the belt rattling on the bolt?

The bolt is a 17mm, I think, and should be bolted tightly to the floorpan. It is bolted close to the bottom of the "B" pilar, so who knows?
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  #3  
Old 08-01-2002, 07:31 PM
BlackE55
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Thanks Mike,

I think I tested that bolt, very tight. I thought about removing it and pulling the reel out to see if this eliminates it.
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Old 08-06-2002, 11:28 AM
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In my old Acura, I used to hear light clicking sounds from the front seatbelt tensioners when braking or otherwise changing momentum. I think they were inertia responsive. Perhaps the belt has such a mechanism, and something has worn to the point where it is audible.

Maybe if you can drive while someone manually tensions the belt (so it is locked against movement) you will see if the noise is gone.

Steve
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Old 08-06-2002, 01:17 PM
BlackE55
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Steve,

You are on to something Intertia is the key here. (Thanks Newton )

I tried differing amounts of tenision on the belt, more tension *seemed* to diminish the rattle, but not emliminate. There must be some sort of mechanism in the roller that is awry. I don't think the shop manual has an exploded view of the rollers, so removal might be in order.

Thanks for your help!!
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  #6  
Old 08-06-2002, 02:36 PM
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Ted,

What ever you do DO NOT try to disassemble the ratchet/roller mechanism. There is a fairly long, tightly wound mainspring that will come flying out at you with sharp edges (don't ask how I know this).

If you want to try to engage the inertia lock you have to try to pull the belt out quickly, sometimes with a slight hesitation before pulling further, that may engage the inertia catch. Once caught, then you have to maintain steady pressure to keep it engaged.

If you do decide to pull the ETR mechanism (seatbelt roller assembly) from the "B" pillar for inspection, remember the is a pyrotechnic charge to deploy the ETR in a level 1 crash. When you disconnect the connector to the squib, the squib should automatically shunt, rendering it safe. Upon reassembly you must hear the audible click or the ETR will be non-functional and you'll get the SRS MIL.
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'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.
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  #7  
Old 08-06-2002, 02:52 PM
BlackE55
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Yikes, thanks Mike.

I might leave this one to the pros if I cant track the noise down from anywhere else.
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  #8  
Old 08-06-2002, 02:55 PM
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I just thought about this, you said the bolt was tight to the floorpan, but how was the fit of the metal end piece to the bolt? It should be a little loose to allow the swivel action, but not so loose as to rattle.
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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.
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  #9  
Old 08-06-2002, 10:56 PM
BlackE55
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Not sure, I'll have to double check. Wife-ette thinks it's still coming from the door, I vote for the b-pillar

She determined to find it the rattle, so she drives with the radio off now.

Thanks Mike,
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  #10  
Old 09-01-2002, 09:32 AM
dj9769
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same thing here & now i've found what it is

ted,

i've been trying to locate the same irritating noise form the pillar as well and under the same driving conditions. mine is not really a rattling sound but rather more of a knocking "clunking" sound. i've been fiddling around with the seatbelt upper post thinking that was it. After checking all the nuts and putting extra plastic strips to tighten the moving parts it was still there. that really irritated me more.

...then just this afternoon i found what it was. i suspected that before but i just dismmissed it.

it was the locking mechanism on the door. just to prove it, i wrapped the silver metal (w/ the black plastic bolted on the pillar where the door lock engages) with an electrical tape to tighten the hold. well true enough, the locking must have been a bit loose as the sound never came out again.

i guess i have to adjust the door lock mechanism so that will have a firmer hold when the doors are closed.

try it on your car and hopefully you'ld solve that mistery sound.

good luck

dennis

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