B Pillar clicking / ticking & door rubber / seal creaking / squeaking

[ConR]

The B pillar trim is held on by 3 torx screws that live under the window seal/channel. To remove the B pillar trim on the driver's side door:
1) Wind down the driver's side window.
2) Pull the window seal out (from the aft edge of the window openning only).
3) You should see the 3 torx screws.
4) Carefully remove the screws, being careful not to drop them inside the door.
5) Push the B pillar trim aft. You need to push the rubber trim at the top of the door up a little to get the top tab of the plastic B pillar trim out.
6) Installation is the reverse.
7) Front door trim goes in pretty easily. Rear door B pillar trim is a bit more of a challenge with the window seal rubber. (You need to have the bottom of the rubber in place before reinstalling the B pillar trim).

If you're not confident about pulling your car apart (or putting it back together afterwards!), then it's probably better to ask your dealer to have a look.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Cam.

Thanks for that info! By the sounds of it, I think I'd rather have the dealer look at it...haha. Just don't know if I can wait for my 15k service. Only have 500 km's on the car right now. Just hope the creak happens when I stop in.

[vwsp]

Hi ktrianta. When my Golf had that creak it also seemed to be affected by temperature. Perhaps on a cool day but with the sun shining on it. What made me think this was that it creaked when the car wasn't even moving or even running if I remember. But would also make a noise when the car was being driven. It was also intermittent. If your dealer doesn't know how to fix it please tell them to call Essendon VW as they knew how to fix mine. Good luck with it!

[ConR]

Hi ktrianta. When my Golf had that creak it also seemed to be affected by temperature. Perhaps on a cool day but with the sun shining on it. What made me think this was that it creaked when the car wasn't even moving or even running if I remember. But would also make a noise when the car was being driven. It was also intermittent. If your dealer doesn't know how to fix it please tell them to call Essendon VW as they knew how to fix mine. Good luck with it!

Thanks for the info! Ya, just drove home again, and it didn't make any sounds at all. Knowing my luck, it will start happening when I least expect it.

But, if it does, I will for sure tell them to ring Essendon for info!

UPDATE: Thought I would just add to the end of this. Went out just now. Came home, and the sound is back. Have pretty much isolated what causes it. It's from the b-pillar for sure. Doesn't happen when I push on it from the outside, but happens when I squeeze it in from the side of the pillar (i.e. door open, grab the pillar from the top and squeeze inwards), and only at the top of the door. Also squeaks when I open/close the door as well.

It's like someone stuffed one of those squeaky dog toys inside my b-pillar!!!

[ConR]

sorry to keep killing this thread guys...just thinking, would they take off the black plastic on the b pillar to tint the windows? I've had mine done, and wondering if it just wasn't out back on properly...

Thanks!

[MkVIGTI]

Just got my car back from the dealer. According to them, my B pillar noise was traced to noisy door locks and they just lubricated it... Now hopefully the noise will be gone

[ConR]

hey guys...also just got my car back from the dealer, where I was forced to drive an Impreza RS all day....I preferred my Suzuki Swift.

anyways, they replaced the entire black plastic trim on the driver's side door...they said it was a faulty trim. So far, not a squeak!

Million thanks to vwsp!!

[kik128]

Hi ktrianta. When my Golf had that creak it also seemed to be affected by temperature. Perhaps on a cool day but with the sun shining on it. What made me think this was that it creaked when the car wasn't even moving or even running if I remember. But would also make a noise when the car was being driven. It was also intermittent. If your dealer doesn't know how to fix it please tell them to call Essendon VW as they knew how to fix mine. Good luck with it!

Hi VWSP,

Can you please advise me if you are in Sydney and which dealer did the fix for you?
I have the exact same problem with my 3 week old GTI that has only developed this in the 3rd week.
I'm hoping that they do not need to spend hours and remove heaps of trim to troubleshoot the issue

Thanks in advance

[ConR]

Hi VWSP,

Can you please advise me if you are in Sydney and which dealer did the fix for you?
I have the exact same problem with my 3 week old GTI that has only developed this in the 3rd week.
I'm hoping that they do not need to spend hours and remove heaps of trim to troubleshoot the issue

Thanks in advance

Hey kiki...I took mine in for a similar issue to Bill Buckle in Brookvale. Replaced the trim for me (after arguing with them of course).

[kik128]

Thanks Ktianta,
Hoping if there was a contact at my dealer to expedite the process. I didn't buy it from Bill Buckle though.

Are you serious about the Cappuccino machine in the boot?

[ConR]

I didn't buy it from Bill Buckle though.

Shouldn't matter. You're entitled to take it wherever you wish (if it's convenient for you....I wouldn't drive two hours to a service centre)

Are you serious about the Cappuccino machine in the boot?

I was hoping no one would ever ask me that question

[MkVIGTI]

Heard the clicking noise again... But then I read it in some thread that it may be due to the wax I put on the doors?

[kik128]

Wow the clicking is getting soo much louder. I would almost say that something is actually loose as opposed to just rubbing or movement of trim panels.
It's driving me up the wall. Car is booked in Friday week with local dealer to rectify the problem.

Something that I hope they can correct properly and quickly. I do hate that a new car made in Germany is going in for something like this.

I would expect this of a lesser company but VW?, I do love the engineering and other aspects of the car. Just a little dissappointed.

[vwsp]

Hi kik128 and Mkvigti, kriantra has been responding admirably to ur questions ... I've been slack on this forum of late. Sorry!

If ur dealer replaces or properly insulates ur b pillar trim panels u should b living in peace again. Mine were fixed back in Jan and have been perfect ever since. This prob is so well documented now that I wld b surprised ur dealer hasn't heard of this issue.

Good luck and b persistent!!! It's sad these issues tarnish what is really a superbly built car.

[dloratet]

hey guys...also just got my car back from the dealer, where I was forced to drive an Impreza RS all day....I preferred my Suzuki Swift.

anyways, they replaced the entire black plastic trim on the driver's side door...they said it was a faulty trim. So far, not a squeak!

Million thanks to vwsp!!

Hi ktrianta,

I have just purchased my mkvi gti and have noticed the same noise!! i know exactly where it is coming from (b-pillar, door seals trim etc) it is actually coming from all doors because when i walk around and push on each door i hear the 'CREAK'

Could you please tell me what dealer in sydney did you take it to, to fix the problem??

thx in advance,

[fryad]

Fixing creaking door seals

From reading this thread there seems to be two issues. The B pillar clicking and the door seal creaking. The door seal creaking drove me insane on my GTI MkVI and I was also very disappointed that such an expensive German car would have this fault.

I tried Dupont Krytox, it works for a month then needs (a very messy) top up. Don't bother with it. I bought Gummi Pflege (from WaxIt, Melb) and after 3 applications on all door seals right around the car, no more creaking from any of them!! The car is blissfully silent and it has lasted 4 months now.

I have also finally been able to polish out my messy door frames and this didn't make the creaking in the rubbers return. Hope the fix works for those of you with the creaking door seals. Don't be sucked into buying Krytox from VW at $70 a tube - it will cost you that much every quarter.....