I guess some leather noise is to be expected, especially after 20 years. Its not a big deal when I'm by myself. But the other day 4 of us got in at once, and the squeaking was ridiculous! My wife said it was like we were sitting in a balloon that was about to pop. I tried to explain that it was the sound of a fine automobile, to snickers.

I tried Meguiars cleaner/conditioner, Zymol conditioner, petroleum jelly, spit (j/k), nothing gets rid of the leather-on-leather and leather-on-plastic noise. Anything else I can try?

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

My passenger seat had a squeek and at first I thought it was a spring, but it turned out to be the plastic trim on the side of the seat that hides the recline mechanism was on a bit tight and with a little adjustment, the squeak was killed.

The cause is often from either the plastic seat parts rubbing generally around the hinge area or the springs at the bottom of the metal seat base.

If it is (typically) the plastic seat parts it is because the springs, padding (often called horse hair pad) and/or the seat cover are all worn and allow for outward flexing and rubbing agains the plastic seat parts. To test this, try moving the seat belt anchor point around.

You can often temporaily stop the noise by liberally spraying silicone spray all around the hinge area where the offending plastic covers are.

BTW, if you are getting squeaking from somewhere around the bottom of the rear doors, you can often cure this by rubbing silicone at the bottom of the interior door panels and the plastic threshold cover.

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

A tip from the dealership .... Try using dish washing detergent mixed with a little bit of water. Q-Tip it between the crack of seat and plastic trim. Noise should go away, if not, the dealership sells a bottle of lube. It's pricy, but if the squeeks annoy you that much, it may be worth it. The price, .5oz for $60.00.

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David

99' CLK 430

Thanks for the tips. The noise is definitely from the seatback lower edge rubbing against the seat bottom, and around the plastic seatback cover. Also where the rear backrest meets the body at the upper corners. I can temporarily cure it by sticking a towel between the offending areas. I'll try the dishsoap trick next, hopefully won't cause much residue.

__________________
1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

Use silicone spray or paste.

Haasman

__________________
'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

I tried silicone and the diluted detergent as well. No go.

However...
I read about mink oil, ie the stuff I use for shoes and boots, on a furniture website. I have some laying around so I smeared a thick coat on one of the seats, especially where the upper meets the lower, and the squeaking and squawking disappeared! I buffed it off, and it removed that hard shine from the leather, and it actually feels a little softer now. I'm going to give it a second treatment and maybe let it sit overnight.

Amazing how the answer can be sitting on your closet shelf all along. None of those other leather conditioners I bought did a thing.

__________________
1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma