M-Class 320 Noisy(Squeaky) rear seats

[hwilliams]

I have recently obtained a new 2002 faced lifted M-Class 320, and find the rear seats to be unacceptably noisy when driving over minor undulations in the road. I have taken it into my local Mercedes dealer on 4 occasions now, and they have done various things to supress the noise and squeaks occuring, and having been on a road test with their head test mechanic he is of the opinion that they have eliminated as much of the noises as they can and even replacing the rear seats is not likely to improve matters.

This noise level I find unacceptable for a vehicle of this  class and price, and appears to be a major design flaw especially as this face lifted model is suppose to have *1100+* modifications to reduce many of the build quality and noise problems reported in the previous model(s).

Has anyone else experienced such problems or have any suggestions on how I might go about resolving this problem ?

 

[altreed]

Is the squeking a 'plastic on plastic' type squeak, or a metallic squek?

I have a squeaky interior on my AMG and plan on applying silicon grease to the squeaky areas!

Also I have found that the seatbelt makes an annoying squeak on the seat as I sit, so I plan to  affix some cloth on the offending area.

It is a bit annoying when such a nice car suffers these flaws.  It may be caused by the type of valet fluids used?

DaveA
Silver c36 '97p 69k + 2xEcoTeks

 

[fuzzer]

Some of my panels squeak on the doors , maybe ill try the silicon.

 

[BJ]

The rear seats in my old C43 made noise from new & the dealer applied vaseline to the leather & that helped.

My wifes 2002 facelift  ML55 has no squeaks from the rear seats.

Do your brakes squeel at low speed?

 

[hwilliams]

The squeaks/rattles are metallic in nature, and coming from the rear seats  particualrly when going over bumps.
I had and E200 on loans whilst mine was being repaired once and it did not have any of the squeaks/rattles I experience in my ML.
It is a design fault in the rear seats in my opinion, as it does have many moving parts to enable the  rear seats to move into the footwells for carrying loads and also tilt forward to allow access to the 3rd row of seats ....

 

[altreed]

I find that Copperease is the best lubricant for non High temperature lubrication.  Maybe a little bit of that will help.

 

[hwilliams]

BJ,

You mentioned your wifes ML55's rear seats do not squeak, but then from what I have read ML55's do not have the option for the 3rd rowof seats as mine does. Thus I assume your rear seats are not split allowing one side to pivot forwards allowing access to the 3rd row of seats ? My point being that my rear seats presumably have more moving parts than your wifes and hence the increased possibility of rattles and squeaks etc ...

With regards to squeaky brakes at low speeds, my ML320 has developed this since about 6000 miles. Took it into the dealer and they said the rear brakes where 80% worn and need to be replaced, which apparently was done, but the only improvement I have observed is they no longer squeak when reversing out of the drive, but continuously do so when stopping as approaching junctions etc ...
Mine is now due is 10K (first service) on Friday and I shall have this looked at again ...

 

[steved]

squeaks. for the record my 1999 ML320 does not squeak.

it does idle rough.