Refreshed Model S - rear seat rattle

[cwanja]

Today I was informed that the rear seat rattle is spec if you shut the seats too hard. I look forward to being zero days old when I learn how to properly latch the seats tomorrow with Tesla advisors. Supposedly they tested this ‘theory’ on another S and proved it out.

So apparently the seat latch is just like the door. If you lightly close it, it will not latch entirely. If you close too hard with force, it will not latch properly. Was able to replicate with them - if you flick it shut, you should be able to feel and hear a rattle. If you shut it with a bit more force, but not too much, no rattle issue.

So the lesson I learned today - latch the seats, give it a shake and feel for some motion / listen for a rattle.

Hate to admit it, but the rear rattle definitely seems gone.

 

[cwanja]

I was the one who posted up. Per watching service perform it with a mallet. And later having to do it myself a few times.

But…see next post.

I will also add, I never added tape or foam to my striker. Between ‘properly’ latching the seats and angling the striker, should fix the issues.

 

[cwanja]

Can comfortably confirm I am not a lunatic and know how to close my seats. Rattle is still there. Hell maybe even worse than before it was dropped off. Just took a day or two to rear it’s ugly head

 

[WilliamG]

Can comfortably confirm I am not a lunatic and know how to close my seats. Rattle is still there. Hell maybe even worse than before it was dropped off. Just took a day or two to rear it’s ugly head.

Well... poop...

 

[Beandoc]

Can comfortably confirm I am not a lunatic and know how to close my seats. Rattle is still there. Hell maybe even worse than before it was dropped off. Just took a day or two to rear it’s ugly head

Life is too short for me to latch the back seats in a hyper nuanced way. Just added the tape and no rattle now.

 

[CTDW]

Life is too short for me to latch the back seats in a hyper nuanced way. Just added the tape and no rattle now.

Unfortunately for me, the tape does not last. I have to replace it often.

 

[jm404]

I have a feeling that this is related to the initial design having power rear seat recline. There are extra latches in the rear, that really make no sense unless they intended to have power recline/latching. Due to supply chain/whatever, they went to manual latches.

 

[Maaz]

Unfortunately for me, the tape does not last. I have to replace it often.

The foam padding trick has worked for me for about 9 months now.

 

[DBV1]

The foam padding trick has worked for me for about 9 months now.

With the foam padding trick are the seats easy to put up and then back into place? With the tape trick, I think the seats are sometimes hard to pull down. Thanks!

 

[CTDW]

The foam padding trick has worked for me for about 9 months now.

Foam didn’t seem to work for long either for me…over time it crushes down and starts rattling again. Any details on what foam you used and where would be helpful…thanks!

 

[Maaz]

With the foam padding trick are the seats easy to put up and then back into place? With the tape trick, I think the seats are sometimes hard to pull down. Thanks!

Yeah a bit harder but nothing too crazy.
I have the foam and left over gaffers tape.

Foam didn’t seem to work for long either for me…over time it crushes down and starts rattling again. Any details on what foam you used and where would be helpful…thanks!

Yep here’s the exact one I ordered. Cut out two blocks to fit both left and right side latches.
Case Club Customizable (PE) Polyethylene Foam 16" x 12" x 1.5" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N6JPYK4?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_K60TDMW31B28TCFSTSS1

 

[CTDW]

Yeah a bit harder but nothing too crazy.
I have the foam and left over gaffers tape.

Yep here’s the exact one I ordered. Cut out two blocks to fit both left and right side latches.
Case Club Customizable (PE) Polyethylene Foam 16" x 12" x 1.5" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N6JPYK4?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_K60TDMW31B28TCFSTSS1

Thanks…will give it a shot. Did you cut the foam into a small block that fit inside the metal “U” loop?

 

[Maaz]

Thanks…will give it a shot. Did you cut the foam into a small block that fit inside the metal “U” loop?

Correct, that’s exactly what I did.

 

[DBV1]

Correct, that’s exactly what I did.

How does it stay in place if you fold down the seats and then put them back into place. I can’t believe we are doing this for such an expensive car.

 

[SoCal Buzz]

How does it stay in place if you fold down the seats and then put them back into place. I can’t believe we are doing this for such an expensive car.

Cut it wide enough to wedge between metal edges.

 

[cwanja]

How does it stay in place if you fold down the seats and then put them back into place. I can’t believe we are doing this for such an expensive car.

The exact reason why I am forcing Tesla service to look at my car six, seven, eight times.

 

[jimster]

Thanks for the tip on the electrical tape, as I have been hearing the same rattle and I have only been able to try and get my kids to try to locate this sound as I drive down the road. I put the tape on my seat hook last night and not a sound to be heard now!

The tape worked magic for me too! Thanks,

 

[jimster]

The electrical tape worked great! Eliminated the annoying rattles.

 

[CTDW]

The electrical tape worked great! Eliminated the annoying rattles.

Be prepared for it to come back...the tape solution does not seem to last.

 

[DBV1]

Be prepared for it to come back...the tape solution does not seem to last.

It most definitely will and I also think it makes it harder unhitch and hitch the seats too. They seem to stick with the tape.