I'm on my 2nd squeaky arm rest... what's up?

mbraun · 03-09-2010, 08:49 PM

Well, this i the 2nd squeaky armrest I've had. If I lean on the armrest or jostle my elbow, it squeaks like crazy. I can't find hardly anyone else who has this problem. The noise is coming from the hinge area at the back of the armrest and no silicone has helped. I guess I can for a a 3rd one, but seriously, a pretty pricey car shouldn't have a problem like this. Any ideas or fixes out there?

emac · 03-09-2010, 10:02 PM

I've been noticing a new squeak, I'll need to check to see if it is the armrest. I agree, really like the car (except for the taillight and HPFP issue I had), but man, the minute the road isn't perfect, squeaks and creaks everywhere - sunroof, backseats, something from the dash, maybe the armrest now, not what I expected from a BMW

I do like this car a lot, but things like this make we wonder if when my lease is up whether I would get another BMW

JimD · 03-10-2010, 07:25 AM

I used to keep my sunglasses in a hard case under the arm rest. And it squeaked whenever I leaned on it. I moved my sunglases to the door pocket and the squeaking is gone. Do you keep anything under the arm rest?

Jim

Brad135 · 03-10-2010, 07:52 AM

Hiya.

I thought mine was squeaking at the hinge, too. I messed around and discovered it's the lower part of the armrest...it's two parts the lower lower where and the inner section. Where the two plastics meet there it flex and that is where the noise was coming from on mine.

I shot some interior cleaner (Turtle Wax Ice) into the business card slot and flipped it upright so the fluid would work it's way in and around the back part...none leaked out, but the squeak was pretty much gone.

The little rubber bumpers might have to go and be replaced with felt stickies...but that's a different squeak issue.

Hope this helps.

moff · 03-10-2010, 08:41 AM

Mine is squeaking too, was going to try some WD40 or silicon spray.

BimmerLearner · 03-10-2010, 09:13 AM

Mine squeeked, dealer fixed it, think they tightened something, squeeking stopped for about a week, now i just ignore like the rest of the rattles and squeeks my car makes.

mbraun · 03-10-2010, 04:07 PM

There is nothing in the way of the bottom of the arm rest, so that's not it. I have had the top and bottom pieces squeak a bit on occassion, but the big squeak that I hear is when i lean on the arm rest and move my elbow around; it comes from the passenger side hinge section. I'm bringing it into the dealer on friday so I'll see what they say (again....) thanks for the suggestions, I've tried silicone in the hinge area as well; no difference.

DBFIU · 03-10-2010, 04:08 PM

You got sharp elbows man!

File them sumbishes down!

BMW 4 LYFE!!11

hats4bats · 03-10-2010, 06:31 PM

Apparently, there's a service bulletin (as well as a fix in the DIY section)
I'm going to get mine fixed per the SB next time I'm in (http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=331057)

Add1ct · 03-10-2010, 08:33 PM

i had my armrest replaced with a new one that was actually the euro open tray one for cars without phone prep- because that's what they ordered and I didn't want to wait for the next one that was back ordered so they installed it- and I love it- makes no noise, and has a lot more space

Bye Bye GTI · 03-12-2010, 03:57 PM

I put a few strips of 1/4 inch foam weather stripping around the inside top half of the arm rest and it went away.

ennislaw · 03-14-2010, 04:27 PM

Mine is a 2010 135i and no squeaks till now (800 miles); my armrest only squeaks when I put my elbow on it. The sound is very much like plastic on plastic and not particularly loud. The earlier miles however this BWM was tight as a drum (as the saying goes), but now I'm hearing the old squeak and unidentifiable sound that may or may not be a rattle (or something loose) in the dash. Since I've added nothing to the glove box, I don't know what it would be. LOL, hun.

pge

emac · 03-14-2010, 10:52 PM

Do other BMW models tend to have as many squeaks? For example, does the 3 series have the same issues?

ChrisK · 03-15-2010, 06:32 AM

My e46 330 3 series had the same nasty squeak in the armrest. BMW over engineers the armrest.

I have had squeaky armrests and glove boxes in almost every BMW I have owned.

Bullitt · 03-15-2010, 01:06 PM

In addition to the armrest squeak, the driver's seat is starting to squeak with every small bump in the road...

emac · 03-15-2010, 02:13 PM

I think that's what I'm getting, the driver's seat creak. Seems to happen even if I don't move. Anyone know of any fixes for this, aside from taking into the dealer

Bullitt · 03-15-2010, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emac

I think that's what I'm getting, the driver's seat creak. Seems to happen even if I don't move. Anyone know of any fixes for this, aside from taking into the dealer

RaceTime · 03-15-2010, 03:10 PM

I just drive harder and let exhaust sounds fix the squeaks for me. JK.

I have never had a squeak...hope I never do. That would be super anoying.

ennislaw · 03-27-2010, 09:41 PM

The armrest squeaking is getting on my nerves. It's only when I put my arm on it, but absolutely no squeak before 800 miles (now 947). It very much sounds like plastic on plastic and my first thought was some silicone spray. Or should I take it into the dealer and complain. It's clearly audible when you arm is even lightly placed on it. And I'd need something louder than the Meisterschaft Touring to dampen it. :P

pge

mineo77 · 03-27-2010, 11:12 PM

me got a squeeky arm rest too...not too loud yet, but just started. I just turn my tunes up and it goes away

ennislaw · 03-28-2010, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad135

Hiya.
... I shot some interior cleaner (Turtle Wax Ice) into the business card slot and flipped it upright so the fluid would work it's way in and around the back part...none leaked out, but the squeak was pretty much gone.
...

I'm not familiar with Turtle Wax Ice, do you think any interior protectant would work? Anyone had any success with silicon spray?

Thanks!

pge

ennislaw · 04-12-2010, 05:48 PM

Well at least for now. I liberally sprayed 1Z Einszett Cockpit Premium Interior Plastic Cleaner into the hinges at the end about three times, wiping up the excess, and now the squeaking is gone. I'm not sure how long it'll last since the squeaking started after only 800 miles, but at least it's not squeaking and driving me crazy now every time I put my elbow on it.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

pge

03-09-2010, 08:49 PM	#1
mbraun rookie BMW owner 12 Rep 45 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: winnipeg iTrader: (0)	I'm on my 2nd squeaky arm rest... what's up? Well, this i the 2nd squeaky armrest I've had. If I lean on the armrest or jostle my elbow, it squeaks like crazy. I can't find hardly anyone else who has this problem. The noise is coming from the hinge area at the back of the armrest and no silicone has helped. I guess I can for a a 3rd one, but seriously, a pretty pricey car shouldn't have a problem like this. Any ideas or fixes out there?
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03-09-2010, 10:02 PM	#2
emac Private 5 Rep 58 Posts Drives: Z4 35is Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I've been noticing a new squeak, I'll need to check to see if it is the armrest. I agree, really like the car (except for the taillight and HPFP issue I had), but man, the minute the road isn't perfect, squeaks and creaks everywhere - sunroof, backseats, something from the dash, maybe the armrest now, not what I expected from a BMW I do like this car a lot, but things like this make we wonder if when my lease is up whether I would get another BMW
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03-10-2010, 07:25 AM	#3
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	I used to keep my sunglasses in a hard case under the arm rest. And it squeaked whenever I leaned on it. I moved my sunglases to the door pocket and the squeaking is gone. Do you keep anything under the arm rest? Jim __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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03-10-2010, 07:52 AM	#4
Brad135 Private First Class 13 Rep 115 Posts Drives: 2015 FiST Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Piedmont Triad, NC iTrader: (0)	Hiya. I thought mine was squeaking at the hinge, too. I messed around and discovered it's the lower part of the armrest...it's two parts the lower lower where and the inner section. Where the two plastics meet there it flex and that is where the noise was coming from on mine. I shot some interior cleaner (Turtle Wax Ice) into the business card slot and flipped it upright so the fluid would work it's way in and around the back part...none leaked out, but the squeak was pretty much gone. The little rubber bumpers might have to go and be replaced with felt stickies...but that's a different squeak issue. Hope this helps.
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03-10-2010, 08:41 AM	#5
moff Colonel 1363 Rep 2,495 Posts Drives: X4M Competition Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nottingham GB iTrader: (0)	Mine is squeaking too, was going to try some WD40 or silicon spray. __________________ Arrived! 2022 X4M Competition, SPY + Black Merino Gone: 2019 X3M Competition, Toronto Red, Adelaide Grey.
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03-10-2010, 09:13 AM	#6
BimmerLearner My car is less than a week old and on its 3rd tank 12 Rep 379 Posts Drives: Tiag 135 Vert Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NE iTrader: (0)	Mine squeeked, dealer fixed it, think they tightened something, squeeking stopped for about a week, now i just ignore like the rest of the rattles and squeeks my car makes.
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03-10-2010, 04:07 PM	#7
mbraun rookie BMW owner 12 Rep 45 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: winnipeg iTrader: (0)	sqeak There is nothing in the way of the bottom of the arm rest, so that's not it. I have had the top and bottom pieces squeak a bit on occassion, but the big squeak that I hear is when i lean on the arm rest and move my elbow around; it comes from the passenger side hinge section. I'm bringing it into the dealer on friday so I'll see what they say (again....) thanks for the suggestions, I've tried silicone in the hinge area as well; no difference.
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03-10-2010, 04:08 PM	#8
DBFIU Crack Addict 84 Rep 759 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hollywood, Florida iTrader: (0)	You got sharp elbows man! File them sumbishes down! BMW 4 LYFE!!11 __________________ 2009 - Titanium Silver - Steptronic - 135i - Nasty
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03-10-2010, 06:31 PM	#9
hats4bats New Member 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2008 128i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SF Peninsula, California iTrader: (0)	Apparently, there's a service bulletin (as well as a fix in the DIY section) I'm going to get mine fixed per the SB next time I'm in (http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=331057)
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03-10-2010, 08:33 PM	#10
Add1ct Lieutenant Colonel 59 Rep 1,859 Posts Drives: 135i, 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Palos Verdes Estates (SoCal) iTrader: (3)	i had my armrest replaced with a new one that was actually the euro open tray one for cars without phone prep- because that's what they ordered and I didn't want to wait for the next one that was back ordered so they installed it- and I love it- makes no noise, and has a lot more space __________________ E82 N54 6MT 6FL 668 KASW turned in E92 Crimson/Cream N54 6MT, ZSP, ZPP, ZCW, Nav, Sat radio, HD Radio, Logic7, PDC, Active Steering, Active Cruise, 6FL, CA
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03-12-2010, 03:57 PM	#11
Bye Bye GTI Private First Class 8 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Alberta iTrader: (0)	I put a few strips of 1/4 inch foam weather stripping around the inside top half of the arm rest and it went away. Attached Images
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03-14-2010, 04:27 PM	#12
ennislaw NCO 13 Rep 641 Posts Drives: 2010 BSM 135i M-Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: RTP iTrader: (0)	Mine is a 2010 135i and no squeaks till now (800 miles); my armrest only squeaks when I put my elbow on it. The sound is very much like plastic on plastic and not particularly loud. The earlier miles however this BWM was tight as a drum (as the saying goes), but now I'm hearing the old squeak and unidentifiable sound that may or may not be a rattle (or something loose) in the dash. Since I've added nothing to the glove box, I don't know what it would be. LOL, hun. pge
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03-14-2010, 10:52 PM	#13
emac Private 5 Rep 58 Posts Drives: Z4 35is Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Do other BMW models tend to have as many squeaks? For example, does the 3 series have the same issues?
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03-15-2010, 06:32 AM	#14
ChrisK Major General 4449 Rep 7,594 Posts Drives: '19 M2C Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (7) Garage List 2019 BMW M2C [7.00] 2015 Porsche Macan S [0.00]	My e46 330 3 series had the same nasty squeak in the armrest. BMW over engineers the armrest. I have had squeaky armrests and glove boxes in almost every BMW I have owned.
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03-15-2010, 01:06 PM	#15
Bullitt Major 91 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (18) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	In addition to the armrest squeak, the driver's seat is starting to squeak with every small bump in the road...
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03-15-2010, 02:13 PM	#16
emac Private 5 Rep 58 Posts Drives: Z4 35is Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I think that's what I'm getting, the driver's seat creak. Seems to happen even if I don't move. Anyone know of any fixes for this, aside from taking into the dealer
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03-15-2010, 03:10 PM	#18
RaceTime Auto X'er 3 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 2009 Space Gray 135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Northern Colorado iTrader: (0)	I just drive harder and let exhaust sounds fix the squeaks for me. JK. I have never had a squeak...hope I never do. That would be super anoying. __________________ 2009 135i SGM, Premium, Sports, Nav. Dinan Stage 2 software, Injen intake, RR Oil Catch Can, H&R Pro-coilovers and springs, H&R front sway bar, Vorshlag camber plates, Vorshlag comp studs, BMW strut brace, BMW performance pedals, G-Force harneses, BMP tow hooks, Breyton GTS-R wheels with 255-35R18 (square set up) and custom axel back exhaust with muffler delete.
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03-27-2010, 09:41 PM	#19
ennislaw NCO 13 Rep 641 Posts Drives: 2010 BSM 135i M-Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: RTP iTrader: (0)	Silicone or Take It To the Dealer? The armrest squeaking is getting on my nerves. It's only when I put my arm on it, but absolutely no squeak before 800 miles (now 947). It very much sounds like plastic on plastic and my first thought was some silicone spray. Or should I take it into the dealer and complain. It's clearly audible when you arm is even lightly placed on it. And I'd need something louder than the Meisterschaft Touring to dampen it. :P pge
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03-27-2010, 11:12 PM	#20
mineo77 Lieutenant Colonel 121 Rep 1,926 Posts Drives: 2010 135i,1989 PRO3,2001 530i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Portland,OR iTrader: (2) Garage List 2010 135i coupe [7.56]	me got a squeeky arm rest too...not too loud yet, but just started. I just turn my tunes up and it goes away __________________ 135i coupe  6MT  TiAg  ///M sport http://www.rhominnovations.com www.musicarNW.com www.unitedBMWonline.com
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04-12-2010, 05:48 PM	#22
ennislaw NCO 13 Rep 641 Posts Drives: 2010 BSM 135i M-Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: RTP iTrader: (0)	Squeaky Armrest FIXED! Well at least for now. I liberally sprayed 1Z Einszett Cockpit Premium Interior Plastic Cleaner into the hinges at the end about three times, wiping up the excess, and now the squeaking is gone. I'm not sure how long it'll last since the squeaking started after only 800 miles, but at least it's not squeaking and driving me crazy now every time I put my elbow on it. Thanks for all the suggestions! pge
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