center armrest creaks

[es1]

Every time I lean on the center armrest it creaks. Any suggestion on how to (and what to use) to lubricate hinges? Or any other suggestion. Thanks.
How do you atke it apart? They design beautiful cars but they just cannot make their plastic without noise.

[1230vani]

Originally Posted by es1

Every time I lean on the center armrest it creaks. Any suggestion on how to (and what to use) to lubricate hinges? Or any other suggestion. Thanks.
How do you atke it apart? They design beautiful cars but they just cannot make their plastic without noise.

Had this issue when the car was new (three years ago). Dealer actually fixed it as it was a common problem with many X5s. Sorry don't know what they actually did.

[double_j]

Originally Posted by es1

Every time I lean on the center armrest it creaks. Any suggestion on how to (and what to use) to lubricate hinges? Or any other suggestion. Thanks.
How do you atke it apart? They design beautiful cars but they just cannot make their plastic without noise.

Creaks like this aren't necessarily caused by a lack of lubrication in the hinge. It's more likely due to the plastic flexing. Look for where the armrest is flexing when you lean on it and see if you can use padded tape or pieces of felt to close those gaps.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by double_j

Creaks like this aren't necessarily caused by a lack of lubrication in the hinge. It's more likely due to the plastic flexing. Look for where the armrest is flexing when you lean on it and see if you can use padded tape or pieces of felt to close those gaps.

Yup, there is a thread somewhere here where they fixed the problem with small circular felt tapes they bought from Home Depot and placed it where the armrest top makes contact.

[es1]

Thanks. Will need to locate that link with he fix as it is rather sad.

[stewy604]

I had mine replaced under warranty...probably overkill, but I wasn't about to complain when they approved it.

[es1]

I will go to dealer on Friday for oil change and will report this issue as well so let see what they say.

[asad]

I've had this issue since buying my car and I forget every time I take it to a dealer, didn't realise it was a common issue. Due for a check up soon before I hit 50k miles, hopefully they can fix it.

[SpeedN8]

Originally Posted by asad

I've had this issue since buying my car and I forget every time I take it to a dealer, didn't realise it was a common issue. Due for a check up soon before I hit 50k miles, hopefully they can fix it.

Same thing here. I told my dealer right after purchasing and they put some grease in the hinge. That worked for like a week. I've also tried felt tape. It's so annoying. Might not annoy most people but the smallest things bother me sometimes. :/

[wifesbimmer]

I get annoyed by the smallest things in the world when it comes to vehicles. I think it is an illness quite frankly. That center armrest creaking sound has always been a problem in 60% of BMW's I have purchased. It creaks in my M3 and X5. I have just learned to ignore the sound. I have not tried the plastic gel type bumpers designed for drawers and cupboard doors. I have heard that they are the solution for the noise.

[BXdriver]

Hi there,

Another one here - same issue from the beginning.
In fact also from my seat - the plastics surrounding the buttons for electric seat adjustment. Somewhere there.

Generally, I get mad and frustrated over even the smallest quirking sounds in cars, but in these cases - the sound
only comes when I move myself in the seat or support my arm hard on the armrest.
I tried to spray some silicone spray around/down the armrest plastic parts but to no help.
So...I have gotten used to these sounds and can live with them.

Best
Bent

[wifesbimmer]

Originally Posted by BXdriver

Hi there,

Another one here - same issue from the beginning.
In fact also from my seat - the plastics surrounding the buttons for electric seat adjustment. Somewhere there.

Generally, I get mad and frustrated over even the smallest quirking sounds in cars, but in these cases - the sound
only comes when I move myself in the seat or support my arm hard on the armrest.
I tried to spray some silicone spray around/down the armrest plastic parts but to no help.
So...I have gotten used to these sounds and can live with them.

Best
Bent

If you are getting sounds when adjusting yourself in the seat, that should be looked after at the dealer. What kind of seats do you have?

[teodorjelev]

I had the same problem with me, I took the car in the workshop and there fixed!
Let's knock on wood no longer is a problem!

[TallTrees]

I used these rubber door stops with success.



http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...2&postcount=14

[iconoclast]

if you install them on the door side they will be less noticeable. also a 3/8" should work fine, 1/2" may be too thick and cause cracking of latches or something that BMW may lean on for warranty denial. (just a thought)

[teodorjelev]

When BMW always something somewhere rattle!

[opasha]

Mine creak as well, so I bought these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1. I'll report back once I install them.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by teodorjelev

When BMW always something somewhere rattle!

i used to think it was because of the firm suspensions but now you have this issues on some with the base squishy watered down suspensions.

[Taran.J]

I showed my tech at my first service and he said there isn't much he can do but grease it. Worked for a month. I'm going to have to show him this thread thanks fellas

[coolidge]

Having never owned a BMW before the first time I saw that center console I was like wtf that looks like a, well ah um well you know. Its still a bit odd to look at, cover that thing in shag carpet and your talking awkward!

As for the creaking I'm always looking for a reason to browse McMasterCarr website.

[es1]

Thanks Talltress. Will try that if dealer cannot fix it tomorrow.

[Kavir]

Mine used to creak horribly.

My dealer applied strips of felt to the underside of the armrest door which reduced it but it was still happening often enough to annoy me.
After a second visit to them they applied felt to the latch (the base of the latch that enters the hole to lock the armrest) and that completely resolved the issue for me.