Squeak/Itch Noise from Front Seat(s) Upon Turning or Lateral Movement (Install Squeak Reduction Tape to Front Seat Hook)

This bulletin is being revised to include an additional model year. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 02-08-50-003A (Section 08 - Body & Accessories).

Some customers may comment on a squeak/itch noise coming from the front seat(s) when moving right or left in the seat. The squeak/itch may also be heard when moving in the seat laterally or exiting the vehicle.

This condition may be caused by the front seat(s) hook rubbing on the edge of the hole openings in the cross-car beam where the seat is attached.

To correct this condition, apply squeak reduction tape to the seat hooks. Refer to the following service procedure.

1. Remove the affected front seat from the vehicle. Refer to "Seat Replacement - Front Bucket" in SI or the appropriate model year Service Manual.
2. Clean the surface of the seat hook with 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water.

Important: The squeak reduction tape being used is a transparent UHMW-PE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) film tape.

3. Cut four pieces of 3M® Squeak Reduction Tape, each 75 mm (3 in) long.
4. Fold each piece of tape in half (lengthwise).
5. On each piece of tape, make a cut in the crease (created by folding it in half) that is equal to half the width of the tape.
6. Slide cut opening of tape down over the horizontal edge of the seat hook until the top of cut opening rests on the horizontal edge of the seat hook. Push tape to rear until the crease in the tape contacts the vertical portion of the seat hook. Secure both halves of the tape to the seat hook.




Important: Keep the bottom edge of the tape parallel with the rear horizontal surface of the seat hook.

Important: The illustration shows only 1 of 4 seat hooks (per front seat) completed.

7. Wrap tape around the front edge of the seat hook so that half of the tape is on the inboard side and the other half is on the outboard side. Keep the bottom edge of the tape parallel with the rear horizontal surface of the seat hook.
8. Repeat Steps 6-7 for the remaining three hooks on the seat.
9. Loosely install the affected front seat to the vehicle. Prior to torquing the rear attaching bolts, pull the seat assembly rearward to "bias" the assembly as far rearward in the vehicle as possible. This rearward bias will minimize the interference of the seat hook with the front edge of the slot in the cross-car beam and reduce the chance for the squeak to come back. Refer to "Seat Replacement - Front Bucket" in SI or the appropriate model year Service Manual.

Important: After installing the seat, verify that the tape is still in the same location on the front hook. The edges of the cross-car beam may cause the tape to come out of position.

10. Verify that the repair has eliminated the customer concern.

To find a local distributor, contact 3M® Corporation at 1-866-599-4227.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use: