DIY: Permanent A Pillar rattle/creak Fix

[Sfvalley135i]

After finding a permanent fix for the armrest rattle (found here)

My next goal was to get rid of the dreaded A pillar rattle/creak that occurs when driving on poorly maintained roads. I followed other DIY guides that suggested weather stripping or some type of material that would keep the A pillar cover from moving/rubbing on the dashboard. However as some of you guys have reported that after a few weeks the rattle/creak would come back. I believe this occurs once the stripping/foam material gets broken in.

Having almost given up home on a fix, two weeks ago on a boring Sunday I decided to investigate this creak myself.

I was able to reproduce the creaking sound simply by pressing on the bottom areas of the A pillar cover. If you can reproduce the sound this way, then I am fairly certain this fix works for you as well.

All thats required is trimming the A pillar cover about 2-3mm. Dont mind the fibers left from velcro

[Dre's One]

Are there any updates on this fix?

[Dre's One]

I did this DIY this morning. I heard no rattle or anything during my drive to school!

[dcaron9999]

Originally Posted by Sfvalley135i

...My next goal was to get rid of the dreaded A pillar rattle/creak that occurs when driving on poorly maintained roads. I followed other DIY guides that suggested weather stripping or some type of material ....

Having almost given up home on a fix, two weeks ago on a boring Sunday I decided to investigate this creak myself.

I was able to reproduce the creaking sound simply by pressing on the bottom areas of the A pillar cover. If you can reproduce the sound this way, then I am fairly certain this fix works for you as well.

All thats required is trimming the A pillar cover about 2-3mm. Dont mind the fibers left from velcro

Thanks for sharing.
Want to fix this annoying rattle myself on my 2011 135i.
Any links on how to to remove the A pillar cover safely?
Edit: found this ---> http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...light=A+pillar

[Dre's One]

I used both the DIY's you posted. I did both of them to be sure it wouldn't come back

[OzJustin]

For those that have performed this DIY has the A-pillar rattle stayed away?

Is there any chance of setting off the airbag playing around the A-pillar area ie no need to disable the battery or anything?

[GuamX1]

I'll try this on my 128i convertible. Thanks

[OzJustin]

Performed both suggested DIY's and can report back that neither worked for me. My passenger side A-pillar rattle is just as bad as ever.

I added foam tape to the dash below the A-pillar and also snipped the A-pillar piece per the DIY.

If I press on the lower section of the pillar it creaks all over as it bends. I can't see how any amount of foam padding will correct this flimsy flawed design. Any more ideas for silence?

[toms85]

Hi.

What worked for me was using some Tesa Adhesive Cloth Fabric Wiring Loom Harness tape (OE stuff for wrapping wiring looms) and sticking it to the exposed white plastic bits on the pillar trim itself wrapping it around the hook too. See attached for picture. Basically any white plastic that was exposed on the pillar trim at the bottom cover in tape - the advantage of this tape is it is thin so doesn't add too much bulk. You can buy the tape from eBay - very cheap. The stuff I used was 9mm and ideal for wrapping round the hook.

At first I tried fabric strips on the dash itself between the pillar but still lead to creaking - this solution above has been silent for weeks and requires no felt on the dash itself.

Hope this helps someone else out!

[135TX]

Thanks Tom

[OzJustin]

Wanted to contribute to this thread as I recently tried the TESA tape option on the A-pillar base and dashboard area. Two months on and my A-pillar remains completely silent. It is solid as a rock and I can reproduce no rattles or creaks pressing on the A-pillar base now. Hopefully it works for you too.

More pictures in my build log on page 3.