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      11-21-2017, 12:11 PM   #1
olds350
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creaking driver seat

Did a quick search and didn't find what I was looking for, so I figured I'd ask. Anyone here dealing with a creaking drivers seatback? This is in my '12 128 vert. I kept hearing something I thought was coming from the dash and one day I leaned forward to put my hand on the dash and the creak stopped.

Sat normal in the seat and the creak came back. Over the last few weeks it's getting worse, especially with cold weather setting in. Anyone else dealing with this issue? I've moved the seat in every direction possible to exercise the motors and gears, that didn't help.

I'd like to remove the back of the drivers seat, but I've not been able to find instructions on how to remove. Also interested in knowing what would be a good "lubricant" to place on hinges and connection/rub points, but need something that won't damage clothes or the stain the seats. Would appreciate any advice you might have for a fix...
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      11-21-2017, 01:24 PM   #2
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I've definitely heard of this before on the non-sport seats. I think I've seen people use lithium grease successfully but maybe wait for someone else to chime in with personal experience.

Also, ANY lubricant you use on the mechanics should be prevented from getting on any other material or area of the vehicle.
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      11-23-2017, 03:15 PM   #3
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Manual seats here. Hope you find a solution...
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      11-25-2017, 04:55 PM   #4
olds350
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I was able to get the back of the front seats off, easy enough really... There are 2 plastic push pins in the very bottom of the seat back cover. Remove those with some trim tools and pull the seat back straight down and it pops off. I found the lumbar support and verified it is pumping air, but I'll be damned if I can figure out how's it supposed to move up and down since there's no motor in there.

I did oil the lower hinges, but that's not the source of the "creak". Still hear it with the back of the front seat removed. I'm going to have to get someone in the very back and have them put their ear to the seat to see if we can pinpoint it. Frustrating...
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      11-27-2017, 09:44 PM   #5
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I have a similar creek in my passenger seat. It got slightly quieter when I adjusted the little black plastic spring shield on the side where the door is. Put the seat all the way forward and tilt it all the way back. Then check to see no leather straps are pinched and that the black plastic spring cover is in the correct place (clipped at one end). It's possible my creek is a combo of this spring cover or plastic trim rubbing on the leather. I have found it's very hard to shut up perfectly and just try and ignore it :
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      11-27-2017, 10:04 PM   #6
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I am pretty sure it is the side plastic trim cover (where the power controls are) that creaks when the bottom seat cushion expands/contracts under movement of the occupant and the leather/sensatec comes in contact with it.
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      11-28-2017, 07:51 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vinylengraver View Post
I am pretty sure it is the side plastic trim cover (where the power controls are) that creaks when the bottom seat cushion expands/contracts under movement of the occupant and the leather/sensatec comes in contact with it.
I had moved the plastics that hold the seat controls before, but hadn't considered me sitting in the seat. I'm 6'-4 and 230lbs, so I'm sure I can displace some seat foam =) Before I was outside the car just trying to move anything I could put my hands on. I'll try to see if this is the problem and report back...
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      11-28-2017, 08:37 AM   #8
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Look also where it connects to the lower part of the seat, on a previously owned car I had vinyl on vinyl squeaking where the upper and lower parts of the seat came together. Your noise is probably higher up but give that area a quick look as well to be sure.

I think the idea above about the plastic on the side is good.
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      11-29-2017, 01:48 PM   #9
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Minor update... I stuffed a microfiber towel into the space in-between the plastics where the seat controls are and the seat. Sorry to say that didn't change any of the creaking. More to come as I chase this down. I'm glad no one else has had this issue, but I sure can use some leads here on what I need to look for. This subtle creaking while driving is frustrating and annoying...
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      01-07-2018, 09:53 PM   #10
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I have a yet to be identified squeak. Temps here in MA are very cold, and I think the temps are a factor. To me, it seems to be higher than the seat and to the right of me at times, yet there may be more than one source as other times, my motion in the seat seems to be correlated to the creak/squeak. I'm 5' 9" and <160#, if that makes a difference.

The noise is driving me crazy. The whole interior seems to have noisy areas!

Edit: So, I happened to find the source of my squeaking, purely by accident. I put my hand on the seat belt (when secured) and created the noise! So, after driving with a hand holding the male/female ends so they didn't move and not getting any noise, then removing my hand and having the noise again, I knew my problem area. So, a little judicious use of Teflon spray into the receptacle (I put some rags around the area so the spray wouldn't get onto surfaces I didn't want to lubricate), and no more noise!

Last edited by MAMSport; 01-30-2018 at 05:31 PM.. Reason: found my noise source!
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      01-08-2018, 08:43 PM   #11
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Can you find someone else to narrow it down w/ their ear while you sit in the seat and move around in it a little?
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      01-09-2018, 08:12 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tracer bullet View Post
Can you find someone else to narrow it down w/ their ear while you sit in the seat and move around in it a little?
Now that the temps are up, plan on asking the wife to ride in the back to see if she can determine where the creak is coming from. With the very low temps outside, the creaking isn't as pronounced, so waiting for warmer temps.
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      01-30-2018, 05:32 PM   #13
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See my edited post, above, for one possible noise source!
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      02-02-2018, 05:19 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MAMSport View Post
Edit: So, I happened to find the source of my squeaking, purely by accident. I put my hand on the seat belt (when secured) and created the noise! So, after driving with a hand holding the male/female ends so they didn't move and not getting any noise, then removing my hand and having the noise again, I knew my problem area. So, a little judicious use of Teflon spray into the receptacle (I put some rags around the area so the spray wouldn't get onto surfaces I didn't want to lubricate), and no more noise!
Man, I was hoping this was the magic bullet and the source of my frustrations as well, but, doesn't seem to be the case for me. While holding the seatbelt connections, I still get that damned creak. Will continue searching....
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      02-02-2018, 05:47 PM   #15
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Sorry, Olds. Wish there was a universal 'cure'. Too many things make noise in the interior of these cars. Not what I would consider a 'near luxury' car, but at least the performance (especially the N52 with the 3-stage manifold and tune) is better than I can find from other manufacturers. Have to give and take a bit, I guess.

I know my passenger B-pillar makes noise. I thought it was at the sunroof area, but I traced it across the roof to the top of the pillar trim. Wish someone could tell me how to get that off. Might have to strip everything from the sill trim up?
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      02-03-2018, 07:17 PM   #16
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** off topic **

Mods should merge this thread with the Sex in a 1er thread. The read would be hilarious!
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