B Pillar Metal Rattle Sound

The past few weeks it has been very hot and humid weather, and my 4Runner has developed a metal-like rattling sound in the B pillar on the driver's side around the seatbelt adjuster. It doesn't take much car movement for the sound to go off.

I took apart the seatbelt height adjuster but found nothing - I even drove without it bolted to the metal frame column (left it on the floor), but the sound is still there! So I felted all the plastic clips from the covers and any other contacts touching the metal frame. No luck. Weather has cooled down and that metal-like sound is still rattling! I have suspicion it is the metal frame itself - has anyone else experienced this?

I plan on this weekend to investigate more to fix it!

 

I have that same rattle! It's not real loud so I thought it was the window vibrating in the frame, but when I press on the window it doesn't change so it's not that. It went away for 6 months or so then came back recently. Very annoying. Hope someone has some ideas...

 

It's a very annoying sound, because it's next to my ear! I spent 6 hours diagnosing the problem, removed all panels and unscrewed the seat belt adjuster, then sat in the back while my wife drove listening for it - isolated the sound coming from the metal frame.

There is a forum I came across, where a Lexus owner had a similar problem and concluded it was definitely the metal frame. He resolved it by unorthodox means using rubberized black asphalt and expanding foam and claims to work. Not certain if I want to use any those materials.
Complete DIY - Eliminate B-Pillar Ticking and Door Squeaks - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

 

I had a similiar rattle but on the driver side. Ended up being the doors on the driver side weren’t fully welded. Missing several pinch welds per door and would rattle together when driving. Drove me insane for months.

 

i get a rattle when the sun roof is open in that area. I guess its a common thing.

 

After several weeks trying to isolate this issue, I was able to eliminate the rattling sound (not 100% but enough where you can't hear it). The solution was to first, tighten the two bolts that hold the adjustable height mechanism and second, loosen them a bit until you deafen the rattle.

How I did it - I found a road that caused the rattle nonstop and had my wife drive and pass it several times as I sat behind and loosen each bolt a bit.

I think there is a defect with the two metal sheets or some metal objects hitting each other in that pillar, whereby, the two bolts need to be torqued a certain amount, so there is space for the metal to not touch - those are my thoughts, but now the 4Runner is so quiet and a joy to ride!