DIY

fast_lane · 11-19-2017, 08:34 PM

Hello everybody,

There are few of us out there (you know who you are), that get super annoyed when interior components start creaking and rattling during daily driving. Heck, it was the only reason I traded in my '15 WRX for an F30. Then, my F30 got totaled, so I decided to get 2012 135i. However, 135i's interior is not nearly as as nice when compared to F30's interior design and material quality. Center arm-rest console was driving me nuts, plastic pieces rubbing and creaking almost all of the time. The rest of the car is relatively quiet.

Anyways let's get down to the fix, which is pretty easy and cheap. You will need two items: 1/2 inch felt tape ($10 for a whole roll) and silicone lubricant ($24). I know, silicone lubricant is not cheap but it has it's uses outside of this DIY

1) clean surfaces with alcohol and then apply felt tape like so:
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2) apply a drop or two of silicone lubricant at each crease of the hinge:
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Enjoy virtually creak free daily driving

gary_william · 11-19-2017, 09:58 PM

I need to replace that little latch tit on the lid that broke off. Anyone know where to buy?

tracer bullet · 11-20-2017, 08:00 AM

Good timing, mine just started creaking again. Dealer fixed it for me for free a long time ago during the VANOS bolt recall but it's back. Worked for a while.

fast_lane · 11-20-2017, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

Good timing, mine just started creaking again. Dealer fixed it for me for free a long time ago during the VANOS bolt recall but it's back. Worked for a while.

Interesting, didn't realize BMW dealers had a fix for this. Do you know what they did to minimize creaking? Is there a service bulletin for this (SB)?

tracer bullet · 11-20-2017, 01:06 PM

Sorry I don't know what they did. The receipt didn't say and I was in a hurry to get the car and get out of there and didn't ask.

Found an old post about it here, looks like there was a TSB for it.:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...61&postcount=8

fast_lane · 11-20-2017, 04:50 PM

Ahh thanks, super useful.
I was trying to locate the armrest stops without removing the armrest, but no luck. Either way, felt tape + silicone lubricant worked well without taking the armrest off.

RJ019 · 11-25-2017, 05:26 PM

Great idea with the felt tape. Mine doesn't make noises yet but I might do this anyways.

I also modded my armrest to get more storage if anyone is interested below:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1443286

LuisBoston · 12-18-2018, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary_william

I need to replace that little latch tit on the lid that broke off. Anyone know where to buy?

My tab broke too. Did you ever figure this out?

11-19-2017, 08:34 PM	#1
fast_lane New Member 15 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2012 135i w/M Package Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Redwood City, CA iTrader: (0)	DIY - fix center armrest creaking noise Hello everybody, There are few of us out there (you know who you are), that get super annoyed when interior components start creaking and rattling during daily driving. Heck, it was the only reason I traded in my '15 WRX for an F30. Then, my F30 got totaled, so I decided to get 2012 135i. However, 135i's interior is not nearly as as nice when compared to F30's interior design and material quality. Center arm-rest console was driving me nuts, plastic pieces rubbing and creaking almost all of the time. The rest of the car is relatively quiet. Anyways let's get down to the fix, which is pretty easy and cheap. You will need two items: 1/2 inch felt tape ($10 for a whole roll) and silicone lubricant ($24). I know, silicone lubricant is not cheap but it has it's uses outside of this DIY 1) clean surfaces with alcohol and then apply felt tape like so: 2) apply a drop or two of silicone lubricant at each crease of the hinge: Enjoy virtually creak free daily driving __________________ 2012 135i (Black Betty) - M Sport - BMW PPK Previous vehicles: 2014 BMW 328ix M-Package, Dinan Stg1 (totaled); 2015 Subaru WRX; 2013 Hyundai Veloster turbo; 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX; 2003 Honda Civic
	Appreciate 2 Enoe Ulbeht82.50 h.specter4.50 Tweet Quote

11-19-2017, 09:58 PM	#2
gary_william Private First Class 315 Rep 168 Posts Drives: 2013 128i Join Date: May 2017 Location: Vancouver, WA iTrader: (0)	I need to replace that little latch tit on the lid that broke off. Anyone know where to buy?
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11-20-2017, 08:00 AM	#3
tracer bullet Brigadier General 2367 Rep 3,513 Posts Drives: '11 135i , '15 X3 35i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Saint Paul, MN iTrader: (1)	Good timing, mine just started creaking again. Dealer fixed it for me for free a long time ago during the VANOS bolt recall but it's back. Worked for a while.
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11-20-2017, 01:06 PM	#5
tracer bullet Brigadier General 2367 Rep 3,513 Posts Drives: '11 135i , '15 X3 35i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Saint Paul, MN iTrader: (1)	Sorry I don't know what they did. The receipt didn't say and I was in a hurry to get the car and get out of there and didn't ask. Found an old post about it here, looks like there was a TSB for it.: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...61&postcount=8
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-20-2017, 04:50 PM	#6
fast_lane New Member 15 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2012 135i w/M Package Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Redwood City, CA iTrader: (0)	Ahh thanks, super useful. I was trying to locate the armrest stops without removing the armrest, but no luck. Either way, felt tape + silicone lubricant worked well without taking the armrest off. __________________ 2012 135i (Black Betty) - M Sport - BMW PPK Previous vehicles: 2014 BMW 328ix M-Package, Dinan Stg1 (totaled); 2015 Subaru WRX; 2013 Hyundai Veloster turbo; 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX; 2003 Honda Civic
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-25-2017, 05:26 PM	#7
RJ019 Private First Class 90 Rep 110 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Low Mount ST Join Date: May 2017 Location: ACT iTrader: (0)	Great idea with the felt tape. Mine doesn't make noises yet but I might do this anyways. I also modded my armrest to get more storage if anyone is interested below: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1443286
	Appreciate 1 sandlion18.00 Quote

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