knocking noise/sound coming from driverside seatbelt pillar

[BMWknight]

I've have two E39 (1998 & 2000) and same issue: there is a knocking sound coming from the driverside pillar every time i go over bumps or rough roads...seems like it's getting worst by the day. I've opened up the pillar before (the part where the seatbelt comes out of...in the interior) and didn't see anything that needed to be tightened or anything even loose. I would like to fix it, any ideas??? Previous fixes?

[bimmerfixr]

I've have two E39 (1998 & 2000) and same issue: there is a knocking sound coming from the driverside pillar every time i go over bumps or rough roads...seems like it's getting worst by the day. I've opened up the pillar before (the part where the seatbelt comes out of...in the interior) and didn't see anything that needed to be tightened or anything even loose. I would like to fix it, any ideas??? Previous fixes?

SUBJECT
Click or Rattle from Upper Safety Belt Mount


MODEL
E46, E38, E39


SITUATION
Some customers may complain of a click or rattle from the upper safety belt mount in the B-pillar. This can be caused by the plastic spacer ring on the mount being out of specification on cars built prior to 1/01.

CORRECTION
In case of a customer complaint, detach the upper mounts from both B-pillars, and replace the black plastic spacer rings in the belt mounts with a new part.



E38, E39
Replace the spacer ring (1) by depressing the retaining tabs on the bushing ring (2) and removing the ring. Snap the new part into place.
Tighten the mounting nut (3) to 31 Nm.
The improved parts have been installed in production since 1/01.

PARTS INFORMATION
Part Number
Description
Quantity
72 11 1 978 983
Spacer
2

[oceancon]

Damn, I've noticed the same noise - thanks for the fix

[bimmerfiver]

NICE job Bimerfixer.

[BMWknight]

wow...so accurate, so timely....impressive. I'll give it a try!

[BMWknight]

wait.. plastic spacer, is that the image #1 or #2?

I'm assuming this part is already available at BMW and for a few bucks?

[hcoles]

I have this exact noise also.. please let us know if this fixed it...

[lunker325]

I had a noise coming from what I thought was that area as well. I did the fix outlined above, but that did not fix it. It turned out that it was the door striker rattling over bumps. What I did was take some black electrical tape and wraped the latch striker portion in the door jam a few times, #6 in the link. No more noise going on a couple of years now.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...26&hg=41&fg=40

[chafik11]

I'm glad it did work for you, i was going to suggeget that a $1.00 black electricl tape will do the job. well done

[hcoles]

lunker - thanks, I'll check that out and report back.

[spencercat]

Sorry for the revival of an ancient thread, but this is an issue that I have been suffering from for years. Haven't seen this solution elsewhere.

I bought the new part and installed it, but can see why it wouldn't solve the issue. The old plastic grommet was still in fine shape.

The electrical tape, however, did the trick. I did need to wrap it around the striker on both front and rear passenger doors.

[FlipredE36]

I had a noise coming from what I thought was that area as well. I did the fix outlined above, but that did not fix it. It turned out that it was the door striker rattling over bumps. What I did was take some black electrical tape and wraped the latch striker portion in the door jam a few times, #6 in the link. No more noise going on a couple of years now.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...26&hg=41&fg=40

+ 1. All you need is a T-40 torx. Raise the striker to fix the noise. Overtime, the striker sags. If the door is sagging, that's why it's making that noise.