Technical B pillar rattle

[Lloyd71]

Thought I'd ask here as the garage were apparently not able to hear any problem rattle (despite the fact it's in your ear constantly), has anyone else had a problem with their driver's side B pillar? Mine keeps making a small 'clicking' noise, like when plastic taps against plastic and sticks slightly, it makes that horrible sticky clicking noise.

It appears to be caused by the metal around the B pillar area, if I park the car up and press it in I'm able to replicate the sound by hand. Can the covers be removed safely? I'd rather fix it myself before going to the Isle of Wight than put up with it for several hundred miles until the garage can take a look at it and diagnose the same perfect car again

 

[Venters]

Isn't there an airbag behind the b pillar? I'd be reluctant to mess around with it if there is.

 

[nottsfiat07]

Isn't there an airbag behind the b pillar? I'd be reluctant to mess around with it if there is.

Maybe the little gas canister is rattling about then, like the widget in a can of beer

 

[Melanabb]

I know its a pain, I also have re-occuring noise from somewhere left of me and also my passenger seat creaks when my hubby sits there (but he IS over 100kg)... I just turn the music on or let my daughter 'sing' ... but hey, check it out if it so annoys you!

 

[Lloyd71]

Isn't there an airbag behind the b pillar? I'd be reluctant to mess around with it if there is.

I mean the B pillar as in the door, not the actual pillar. Sorry, should have mentioned that. It's the part that opens with the door that appears to be rattling, I don't think there is an airbag there is there?

If there is, I'll ring the garage and let them know it's coming from the area where the airbag is. Might make them take a bit more notice.

 

[Venters]

I don't think there is an airbag there is there?
.

Been a while since I was in a 500. But I'm sure your right and the airbag is mounted to the frame of the car as opposed to the frame of the door.

 

[pearce_jj]

There's no airbag behind the door pilar - must be in the head lining.

 

[nottsfiat07]

I know its a pain, I also have re-occuring noise from somewhere left of me and also my passenger seat creaks when my hubby sits there (but he IS over 100kg)... I just turn the music on or let my daughter 'sing' ... but hey, check it out if it so annoys you!

In my case thats Mrs Notts!

 

[Mark Elvin]

We can take a look at it next weekend Lloyd. I'll bring my 'magic tape'

 

[AlexGP]

I think the airbag is in the headlining and also in the side cushion of the seat back.

As for rattles in a Fiat.... it's like trying to smooth bubbles out of a poorly applied sticker. They just go somewhere else.

Mine has temperature controlled rattles - dictated by hot and cold. I'm used to this now.

 

[keeforelli]

hi lloyd 71


did you ever sort this?...i have an intermittent one here too- appearing randomly!

 

[T14086]

I'll ring the garage and let them know it's coming from the area where the airbag is. Might make them take a bit more notice.

go for test drive with DET

 

[keeforelli]

hi!!


can i ask what a DET is?

 

[T14086]

Dealer Expert Technician, heis job is to attend to your concerns & call for back up from Fiat if required.

 

[Lloyd71]

hi lloyd 71


did you ever sort this?...i have an intermittent one here too- appearing randomly!

Nope, I'm hoping to get it sorted when it goes in for a service, it only seems to happen between 12-18°C so at least I've narrowed it down to that.

 

[T14086]

Nope, I'm hoping to get it sorted when it goes in for a service, it only seems to happen between 12-18°C so at least I've narrowed it down to that.

Unlikely it will even be looked at during a service, the reception will only allocate service time to the car. Again I repeat take the DET out for a test drive to hear it, Fiat train the DET's for these reasons are are less productive than other techs so can spend more time on he issue.

 

[keeforelli]

have you had any other rattles?...im a rattle obsessive which can drive me crazy- ill turn music off and make myself listen to them!

had a cpl so far- not sure how good dealers are at curing them.

weird cos interior felt like a vault 7 weeks ago when i first got it- im hoping it stays feeling solid!...on my last car- megane 2 i cured a cpl of rattles with silicone spray- then it felt really solid and quiet..just cant always tell where they are coming from in this one.

and they do come and go even in the same journey- this b pillar rattle really surfaced when i drove off from work, then settled down shortly after!

is the feeling that perhaps the 500s are suffering a few rattles?

 

[grimwau]

is the feeling that perhaps the 500s are suffering a few rattles?

The most common rattle was from the parcel shelf which was easily cured by using a little foam tape. Others have been linked to the folding rear seat not being "slammed" shut and possibly loose objects in the spare wheel area.

I know one or two members have experienced different ones (myself included) but I would have to say, based on the number of posts, that this doesn't appear to be a massive problem.

I personally consider the 500 to be a very solid car and well screwed together and (DPF aside) any small problems have been sorted by the dealer. I am almost certainly going to buy another one next year.

 

[muttleysdad]

Lloyd - have you tried a bit of silicon grease or spray on the rubber door seal?(only need a trace)

Last time i had this it was the rubber seal sticking to the door jar and creaking as the shell flexed, It stuck because i had polished the door jar the weekend before. Drove me nuts for a while until i worked it out.

Knowing your obsession for polishing things could be the same

 

[Melanabb]

Nope, I'm hoping to get it sorted when it goes in for a service, it only seems to happen between 12-18°C so at least I've narrowed it down to that.

Strange that, I have exactly the same sort of rattle (coming from the general passanger door area) that is sensitive to outside temperature... Would you be so kind as to post the solution to the problem (once you have it)?

Thanks Lloyd!