Squeaky plastic trim in luxury barge

[Audi 525i]

I have identified the plastic trim, marked above, as being the source of an irritating squeak, in an otherwise quiet, refined and comfortable cockpit.

The squeak can be eliminated whilst driving if held apart from the rest of the seat, which is not a suitable and long-term resolution to the problem. From that, I have deduced that this cheap bit of plastic contacts with other non-visible parts of the seat when wafting over poor road surfaces.

I do not know how to remove it.

Any ideas chaps on what to do?

[Tectonic80]

Stuff something soft eg sponge behind it to stop it rubbing the rest of the seat?

[redgriff500]

Try a squirt of silicon spray

[Carlique]

S-Type? If it can be fixed by holding it apart just put a small wedge/chock in between it permanently. Maybe a bit chop stick or something like that so it should'nt be too far off the colour too.

[Audi 525i]

Carlique said:

S-Type?

XJ6 on a 54 plate.

I have tried physically prising the base of the plastic in the picture away from the seat, and it is proving partially successful.

WD40 is the next stage.

[redgriff500]

Audi 525i said:

WD40 is the next stage.

Silicon spray is the non oily alternative - I use it on window runners, patio door and curtain runners etc it's great stuff

[Mastodon2]

Silicon spray will create a low friction surface to the plastic and should stop the noise.

[Rawwr]

Smash it off with a hammer.

[GAjon]

Take it off and refit it with some blue tack or white tack behind it where it is rubbing.

[anonymous-user]

Oh how I miss Jaguar "quality". I've not had to thump a door card while I'm driving along to stop it rattling for ages

[Jaguar steve]

dme123 said:

Oh how I miss Jaguar "quality". I've not had to thump a door card while I'm driving along to stop it rattling for ages

Or position the steering wheel in a less than ideal position to stop a rattle from behind the dash or choping up Tesco value sponges and wedgeing bits in and around the dash wiring loom or put extra self tapping screws into door cards to stop them clattering whenever the door is shut and taking the centre console out and tightening all the loose screws behind the wood trim and spraying loads of silicon spray about to stop the creaks as well as replacing the whole lower steering column to stop the clatter over bumps and tightenening the steering wheel airbag retaining screws almost to the point of stripping the threads to stop the sharp crack every time you hit a bump when going round the corner not to mention giving the middle of the dash a good thump evey now and then to stop the buzzy rattle on certain road surfaces or driving - yup, I'd miss it too

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

Rawwr said:

Smash it off with a hammer.

You may joke, but I've had cars in the past (step forward French-built motors) that have driven me so mad with squeaks and rattles I've actually lost my temper, gone postal inside the car and punched and hit bits of interior.

To the extent that, to my shame, I punched the area by the glovebox next to the centre console so hard in a 205 GTi, that I put a hole in it

On the plus side, I got another used lower dashboard from a breakers, and took the dash apart and whilst there, sprayed everything I could see with gallons of silicone. I also got a cordless screwdriver and wound self tappers through anything behind the dash that looked flimsy and loose.

It was much better after that


ETA: for other rattle conscious 'OCD-ers' like me, you might want to consider a Skoda...

My Octavia VRS is 11 years old this year, with 118k on the clock. I can still drive around in serene comfort and silence with the stereo off, with not even a hint of a squeak, rattle or noise anywhere. Impressive I'm sure you'll agree?

Edited by Ray Luxury-Yacht on Monday 17th September 21:11

[Jaguar steve]

Funny thing this...

My intergalatic mileage Renault van has more rattles than Mothercare yet I don't give a toss, bu the moment the barge develops even the slightest hint of a new one I'm tempted to pull into the next layby and just set light to it.