Passenger side B pillar rattle.

[Axg1040]

Picked up our CGL Overland on Saturday. Just started to get an annoying rattling from the passenger side B pillar area. Need to ride in the back seat while the wife drives to see if something simple. I checked all the easy things. Almost sounds like where the door hinges mount to the pillar. Thought at first it was the pano roof. Really don’t want the dealer prying off panels just yet.. Any others hear the rattling?

 

[Fyerman69]

Nothing like that with my limited. Sure it’s not a seatbelt or wheel lock set left there? 😉 J/K

 

[Axg1040]

Oh man I wish it was that easy!!! Figured it out. Been in the auto insurance claims industry for well over 20 years so not scared to pull a panel or two. I have had my share of elevated repair issues involving squeaks/rattles/noise. Always see the techs manhandle trim and get everything greasy so I figured I’d check it first. At the base of the B pillar where the seat belt pretensioner bracket mounts the sandwiched spot welded sheet metal it had just enough of a gap to cause a squeak. Bit of grease between and boom…gone.
Shame it had it but it doesn’t sour us on it one bit. All cars have issues. Drive on!

 

[Fyerman69]

Well done!

 

[Laika]

I recently purchased a GCL Limited, and 3 days after purchase, the same squeaks and rattles noise as your car.
I remembered what Axg1040 mentioned and looked into the lower part of the B pillar.
The thing connected to the black sheetmetal is presumed to be a seat belt pretensioner, and he said that since it was the sound of metal rubbing here, grease was applied to the place to solve the noise.
When I touched this part with my hand, I didn't notice any loose movement and the black pretensioner cylinder had some play up and down.
What I could do was attach fibrous tape and clear bumper to reduce the noise, and also apply grease to the sheetmetal. But my efforts did not solve the noise problem.
I visited a dealer this morning and got a diagnosis for this issue, and they admitted that noise was generated around the B pillar. But they asked me to come back in 2 weeks for more detailed diagnosis and parts were needed.

I hope this issue is resolved quickly, and if it does, I would like to share the solution with you.

I still don't regret buying the GCL, but it made me sad that my friend joked about the noise when he got into my car and asked "is this a brand new car?"

 

[Jrich58]

Oh man I wish it was that easy!!! Figured it out. Been in the auto insurance claims industry for well over 20 years so not scared to pull a panel or two. I have had my share of elevated repair issues involving squeaks/rattles/noise. Always see the techs manhandle trim and get everything greasy so I figured I’d check it first. At the base of the B pillar where the seat belt pretensioner bracket mounts the sandwiched spot welded sheet metal it had just enough of a gap to cause a squeak. Bit of grease between and boom…gone.
Shame it had it but it doesn’t sour us on it one bit. All cars have issues. Drive on!

Would it be at all possible to show a pic of exactly where you put the grease? Mine has this same rattle from the b pillar.

 

[Jrich58]

I recently purchased a GCL Limited, and 3 days after purchase, the same squeaks and rattles noise as your car.
I remembered what Axg1040 mentioned and looked into the lower part of the B pillar.
The thing connected to the black sheetmetal is presumed to be a seat belt pretensioner, and he said that since it was the sound of metal rubbing here, grease was applied to the place to solve the noise.
When I touched this part with my hand, I didn't notice any loose movement and the black pretensioner cylinder had some play up and down.
What I could do was attach fibrous tape and clear bumper to reduce the noise, and also apply grease to the sheetmetal. But my efforts did not solve the noise problem.
I visited a dealer this morning and got a diagnosis for this issue, and they admitted that noise was generated around the B pillar. But they asked me to come back in 2 weeks for more detailed diagnosis and parts were needed.

I hope this issue is resolved quickly, and if it does, I would like to share the solution with you.

I still don't regret buying the GCL, but it made me sad that my friend joked about the noise when he got into my car and asked "is this a brand new car?"

Im trying to fix this on mine and can’t figure out what I’m looking for. Can you possibly put an arrow or something on your pics to show me where this sheet metal gap is that you guys are talking about? I would be super grateful.

 

[Laika]

Im trying to fix this on mine and can’t figure out what I’m looking for. Can you possibly put an arrow or something on your pics to show me where this sheet metal gap is that you guys are talking about? I would be super grateful.

I applied silicone spray and silicone grease to the area indicated by the arrow in the photo.
A 'SILICONE spray' NOT 'WD-40'
BUT, This method did not reduce the noise.

 

[Laika]

@JeepCares Any suggestions on this?
I am still waiting for the scheduled service in 2 weeks. I don't know if the dealer trying to fix my car will come up with a solution.

 

[Jrich58]

I applied silicone spray and silicone grease to the area indicated by the arrow in the photo.
A 'SILICONE spray' NOT 'WD-40'
BUT, This method did not reduce the noise.

Is this silver piece sheet metal? The original post mentioned a spot welded piece and this looks like it could be that. Maybe grease around the weld?

 

[Laika]

Is this silver piece sheet metal? The original post mentioned a spot welded piece and this looks like it could be that. Maybe grease around the weld?

If it is clear that the part that you and I assume is a 'welded piece' is the problem, lubricating only the outer part like I did will not solve the issue.
I thought again, and if I want to lubricate that area properly, it seems that I need to lubricate after loosening the bolts.
But I am hesitant to try that method.
If you try this, please write a review.

 

[Jrich58]

If it is clear that the part that you and I assume is a 'welded piece' is the problem, lubricating only the outer part like I did will not solve the issue.
I thought again, and if I want to lubricate that area properly, it seems that I need to lubricate after loosening the bolts.
But I am hesitant to try that method.
If you try this, please write a review.

What’s thr silver piece going upward with the blue arrow? Is that sheet metal? Is it spot welded to the black? Trying to figure it out by the photos.

 

[Laika]

What’s thr silver piece going upward with the blue arrow? Is that sheet metal? Is it spot welded to the black? Trying to figure it out by the photos.

I saw the part you marked with the blue arrow in the photo.
I haven't disassembled this pretensioner mount part so it's hard to guess.
As you said, it is suspected that the silver metal and the black metal are too close together to cause noise.
How about loosening the big bolt at the front in the picture and then slightly twisting the direction of the silver metal to widen the gap with the black metal?
If this is possible, there may be no need for lubrication between those two metals.
I am also considering trying this method.

I was happy to be able to share opinions with you.
by the way, Be careful not to break the retaining clips when removing the plastic panels. It is very weak.

 

[Jrich58]

I saw the part you marked with the blue arrow in the photo.
I haven't disassembled this pretensioner mount part so it's hard to guess.
As you said, it is suspected that the silver metal and the black metal are too close together to cause noise.
How about loosening the big bolt at the front in the picture and then slightly twisting the direction of the silver metal to widen the gap with the black metal?
If this is possible, there may be no need for lubrication between those two metals.
I am also considering trying this method.

I was happy to be able to share opinions with you.
by the way, Be careful not to break the retaining clips when removing the plastic panels. It is very weak.

I have an appointment tomorrow so I am going to inform them I think it’s from this area. I will keep you updated on what they say. Thanks for the info.

 

[Laika]

I have an appointment tomorrow so I am going to inform them I think it’s from this area. I will keep you updated on what they say. Thanks for the info.

I keep looking at my photos as I share my thoughts with you.
I guess the silver metal should have been placed between the black metal facing upward.
However, the silver metal shown in my photo is not located between bumps and is too close to the black metal on the right side.
I hope your visit to the dealer tomorrow will solve the problem. Good luck
I also thank you.

 

[Axg1040]

My greased repair only lasted a few weeks. What did finally work was this: I used a cheap camera scope from Amazon and sent it up the hole in the rocker that is about even with the rear pass seat. Sending the camera forward. The issue was a support brace between the inner and outer rockers. The rear most bolt from the pretensioner bracket coming through the weld nut made just enough contact with that support. When the body would flex or if I flexed the rear door just right I could make it happen. The fix was simple. Got some 1/2” pex pipe and slide it in the rocker hole and pushed that support just a bit. 1000 miles on since! Gone!!!
I borrowed the photo below from the other poster. The circled bolt is the offender. The support brace for the inner and outer rocker is on the other side. I could wiggle that pretensioner bracket and recreate it all day long. If you look left of the bolt head you’ll see the spot welds for the bracket.

 

[Jrich58]

My greased repair only lasted a few weeks. What did finally work was this: I used a cheap camera scope from Amazon and sent it up the hole in the rocker that is about even with the rear pass seat. Sending the camera forward. The issue was a support brace between the inner and outer rockers. The rear most bolt from the pretensioner bracket coming through the weld nut made just enough contact with that support. When the body would flex or if I flexed the rear door just right I could make it happen. The fix was simple. Got some 1/2” pex pipe and slide it in the rocker hole and pushed that support just a bit. 1000 miles on since! Gone!!!
I borrowed the photo below from the other poster. The circled bolt is the offender. The support brace for the inner and outer rocker is on the other side. I could wiggle that pretensioner bracket and recreate it all day long. If you look left of the bolt head you’ll see the spot welds for the bracket.

So you took out that bolt and that is where you pushed on it with the pex? I’m at the dealer now.

 

[Axg1040]

Added my photos.

 

[Axg1040]

I applied silicone spray and silicone grease to the area indicated by the arrow in the photo.
A 'SILICONE spray' NOT 'WD-40'
BUT, This method did not reduce the noise.

See my posts below. My noise came back but I found the true problem and fixed it.

 

[JeepCares]

@JeepCares Any suggestions on this?
I am still waiting for the scheduled service in 2 weeks. I don't know if the dealer trying to fix my car will come up with a solution.

Hi there. At this time, our suggest would be to stick with your appointment and contact us again closer to the date so we can assist you while there. We'll be in private message!

Kate
Jeep Cares