Hello everyone. I posted something similar to this over at the X351 forum since the issue had been discussed there a couple of years ago, but because I have an X350, am going to ask here about the problem. I have a 2004 XJ8 with 67400 miles on it. For the last 500 miles or so, I have experienced a maddening creaking or rattling sound (the rattles often come in a stacatto-like fashion or one at a time), usually when accelerating while at a slow speed or driving slowly over uneven or rough road surfaces. For example, when driving into my garage last week from the alley in back of my house (where the road surface is a little rough and uneven), the rattle/creaking occurred three or four times in the space of about two seconds. The noise sounds like it's coming from the starboard B pillar area or even from inside the starboard rear door. Incredibly annoying. I should add that oddly, in the last couple of days, the rattle is still present but somewhat diminished, but there is now a noise that sounds like an old rocking chair creaking when I accelerate or when I turn the steering wheel hard to the left while driving down the street (say, at about 25 mph). And this sound seems to be a bit forward, localizing near the starboard front passenger door. Don't know if the two issues are related, although I'm primarily concerned with the rattle/tapping sound more than the rocking chair creaking. Any guesses as to what is going on?

 

Try and see if it is drivers seat brushing against the center console.

You may try to place your hand in between as you make the driving maneuvers you describe.

If the noise stops, perhaps a piece of felt may keep the seat from rubbing the console and creating the noise.

...just a guess...

Thanks
-mag