Creaking wood trim driving me NUTS! (W126 380SE)
 

OK, I searched and found no conclusive answer, except that a lot of you have expessed annoyance at the creaky/squeeky sounds of the wood trim against the plastic on the door panels of our beloved older MB's.
I had both driver side door panels off last night for access to the driver's door check-strap assembly (needed grease), and the rear door window mechanism (replaced plastic runner thing).
I removed the trim panel on the driver door, sprayed both the wood back and plastic surface recess where it mounts with silicone spray, and tightened up all the plastic nuts. It still squalks and creaks like I'd done nothing.
Before I replace the back panel, I'll try a coat of grease, tighten the nuts, and post back, but has anyone found the ideal compound to prevent this? Wax, if so what kind? Is there a silicone gel that might work? Why does all the wood trim on all the doors do this?

The SDL I recently sold did the same thing. I tried silicone, felt, rubber pads and had no luck... I really couldn't determine which part was rattling. I think it has something to do with the entire door panel frame... Good luck with yours and I'm curious to know what will eventually work for you.

I find that in the winter, my driver's side door rattles and creaks. Took a while to track down the source, but I've come the conclusion that it's plastic against plastic. Meaning the plastic part of the door rubbing against the plastic door sill. I tried vinyl conditioner, but in only worked for a few weeks. I've heard of people rubbing cross country ski wax on the offending surfaces as well.

If you do a search, you'll find this is a fairly common "issue" with the 126. :)

Yup, it sure is a common issue, but the solution sure isn't! I thought of wax too, but, from posts I've checked, it doesn't seem like the hot lick either, ski/paste/furniture or floor. And, from what I can tell, it's not plastic-on-plastic so much as the back of the wood trim against the plastic on the door panel.
I'd be out in the yard doing some some experimenting, but it's raining and the garage is occupied, so I'll hang in and hope someone posts a tried and true idea...I think I'll try double-backed carpet tape, as any kind of glue would be too hard to reverse if it didn't work.

I also thought it was the wood trim and did everything that has been posted. As it turned out it is the plastic on plastic. I applied lexol leather conditioner to the bottom of the door panel and the sill and the sound went away. This is not a permanent fix and you have to re-apply when the squeak gremlins come back but at least it gives you peace and sanity for the time being.

Well, I guess it could be the panel rubbing the sill for some folks, but I can reproduce the sound I'm talking about by slightly twisting on the door panel when it's off the car, so I'm actually decribing a similar but different problem...Lexol might be a good lubricant for my wood/plastic contact though. Thanks

the problem is...the 126 is made so strong (which is good) thats its all stiff so everything will make noise because the car has no "flex" to it.

I had this noise problem for yrs and its the quietest when its very cold in the winter.

My 86 500 SE makes same kind of noise on rough roads my 81SD's don't, will try the Lexol it sure works good on seats........

William Rogers........

squeaky doors etc.
 

I had 3 of the 126's (89 560SEL ,cherry, 105K miles sorry I sold it). A good permanent solution is: Remove the offending plastic trim that is on top of the wood . Lay a coating of paste wax on the wood. Clean the rubbing surface of the plastic with brake parts cleaner on a rag. . The put a layer of clear silicone rubber on the plastic and allow to dry overnight. Then reinstall.

Nothing permanent for door jambs and door gaskets. Regular applications of spray silicone lube works for several weeks/months. The fact so many folks ***** about this is testimony to the ultra reliable nature of these cars -- nothing major seems to be a real big issue.

As previously mentioned, the door panel has a tendency to rub on the plastic door sill. A more "permanent" solution than spraying the area with something is to apply a strip of velcro (the fuzzy end, not the hooked part) to the part that contacts the door sill plate.

Or to fit illuminated sill plates like I did.

Matt.

I removed all four door panels this past weekend, and the wood trim pieces. I smeared molybendum disulfide wheel bearing grease over the contact parts of the wood trim and the plastic on the panels. This is black stuff, so it doesn't show on the blue plastic and wipes off nicely with a rag. I tightened all the nuts down good and no more creaking!

I now notice that there is some squalking from the rear door areas, probably from the door panel bottoms as described, so now it's on to the solution for that.

Oh yes, must mention that I removed and reinstalled the driver door panel 4 times, twice to test the solution-on-trim, once because I forgot to push the wires for the lower lights through the hole in the panel back, and once more because 1 panel clip (lower right corner) didn't engage properly. Check first before putting the door handle/seat switch escutcheon plates on and bolting in the armrest! PITA.