What is this rattle in my door?

hellrot96

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Oregon
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1.9
I uploaded two videos here to try and get some ideas of what this sound is before I open up the door card.

When the door latches shut this bouncy rattling sound comes out, like a piece of metal that's not tightened down enough. It seems to be coming from right behind the door handle somewhere. Hard to tell. It doesn't happen when I simply tap the door anywhere, only when the door latches shut. It's much more pronounced on the outside of the door than when sitting inside, but it's there still regardless. The passenger side seems to have a looser frequency sound than the drivers side, but it still seems like the same thing going on on both sides. I shined a flashlight in that hole you open to change the door handle gaskets, but its tough to see anything. I've moved the latch mechanism around on the body of the car, but that didn't change anything. With the windows down, the sound goes away mostly, but it's still there. Any thoughts before I go and take the door panel off?


Thanks ahead of time..
Christian
 
Last edited:

t-tony

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Hi Christian, my best guess is that part of the window lift mechanism has come adrift from the door. That would be why the noise is more prominent with the window raised. quite a common issue on a Z3.

Tony.
 

colb

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Think Tony may be right part detatches itself from the door, seen threads on this before, can't remember how people get it secured back. Going to have to pull the door card off to get a better look. Whilst your in there fixing it consider putting some sticky sound pads on the door skin to deaden the sound of the door closing, you should be able to pick some up on ebay and trim them down if needed to fit inside there.
 

mrscalex

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Not sure is the answer, however... this is exactly the same noise you get with NO door card on.

So on that basis, whatever effect a door card usually has on damping the inside mechanism of the door it appears not to be the case here. I've never paid it too much attention as I know it will go away with the door card back on. But I put it down to the locking button mechanism on the top of the door card being able to move.
 

hellrot96

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2020
Points
24
Location
Oregon
Model of Z
1.9
Problem found:

The metal plate that blocks someone from breaking into the car and is part of the window track has a foam strip on the top and it fell off. You can see the mark it was making here:



Removed from the car:



New foam solved the issue. Getting into the car is now a much more normal, pleasing experience. Hopefully this helps someone in the future who finds this thread. Thanks for all the help

Christian
 
Last edited:

t-tony

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Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
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E89 Z4 23i Auto
Good info Christian, thank you.:thumbsup:

Tony.
 
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