My 2002 S430 has an annoying rattle/friction type of noise coming from the driver's door where the seat and mirror controls are located. It is most noticable from the plastic piece directly below the wood trim. It occurs whilst driving and I can replicate the noise by pushing on this plastic piece right near the seat adjustment controls. I would like to remove this to perhaps apply some dry-film lubricant or felt tape to see if this will solve the problem. Does anyone (Sleepwalker?) have the exploded view diagrams of this area with the removal procedure or is there an easier solution than removing all of this? Many thanks in advance.

 

No diagrams here but I have a similar rattle at times from the poorly designed two piece driver and passenger door pulls. I also get a squeaking from the upper side bolster in right hand turns. Both noises have decreased after lubrication but I did not remove any parts.

 

Thanks for the info II Kings 9:20. I agree re the two piece door pulls...bad design. I am going to try spraying with some silicone lubricant to see if this helps. I suspect I am going to have to disassemble to door panel to do it properly though.

 

no need for diagram.

just pull out that wood designed trim. it's aluminum/alloy and it won't break.

remove those torx screws.

pry out the covering on the door handle. (it is in two piece, pull out the upper part).

remove the screw inside.

pull out the whole assembly which includes the door control module (switch group).

it's a two minute job.

 

Thanks for the info Sleepwalker. I will give it a try but I must admit that I'm a bit hesitant in prying off the wood piece for fear of breaking it. Should I start from the forward facing end and pry back or the other end? Will I be able to snap it back in after, or is there a chance that any retaining clips will have to be replaced?

 

you cannot break anything. they comes off long before the breaking point.

from forward is better.

it snaps in. clips stays in place, or you just put them back.

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Wow! Once again Sleepwalker, you come through amazingly!

Thank you for the diagrams. I now feel confidant about removing these parts.

Best Regards.

 

Sleepwalker, just a follow-up to let you know that those diagrams helped. I removed it without any trouble and it seems to have done the trick.

I am curious about how to take off the door panel section that is just above the airbag. Once I have the seat control section off, can I take that upper piece off as well? The reason I ask is because I would like to look into the area where the connector is for the IR receiver for the door lock. The doors lock/unlock ok (radio freq.), but the global window/sunroof open/close (IR) does not work. I have similar situation with the second key fob and the global window/sunroof open/close works from the passenger side door handle. I'm not sure if the drivers side IR receiver is bad or if the connector has just come loose.