Door Rattle in '05 LS

[Ultimate'05LS]

Anyone familiar with their being something in particular to look for in a driver's door rattle that's developed in an '05? This has 7500 miles on it and the rattle's gradually gotten worse and it seems to be triggered by a bump with a bit of lateral movement.
Seems like it's at the top/back of the door near the pillar.

[jack n]

I have the a similar problem on my 2004. It occurs when I hit a small, sharp bump -- like a 1" high vertical offset, at 25+ mph.

It seem to be coming from behind my head, on the left side from the front or back door.

It's probably not the door glass. I've pushed on that while going over such bumps, and the noise still appears.

To troubleshoot, I need a long patch of these bumps, and I can't find lots of sharp little bumps when I hunt for them.

Hope somebody has an idea about the cause.

[Ultimate'05LS]

quote:Originally posted by jack n:
I have the a similar problem on my 2004. It occurs when I hit a small, sharp bump -- like a 1" high vertical offset, at 25+ mph.

It seem to be coming from behind my head, on the left side from the front or back door.

It's probably not the door glass. I've pushed on that while going over such bumps, and the noise still appears.

To troubleshoot, I need a long patch of these bumps, and I can't find lots of sharp little bumps when I hunt for them.

Hope somebody has an idea about the cause.Yep, same location. My seat's way back so I can hear that it is the front door. Can't duplicate it? Drive between the Wilson Bridge and Andrews AFB on the Outer Loop doing 75. You'll hear it for sure. smile.gif

[jack n]

Must be those clunky LS models specially made for Maryland.

Today I found a good bump in an old parking lot. Heard the noise going over the bump.

When I ran the bump with the door slightly open the noise disappeared.

Tried rubber mallet at different places around the (open) door - inconculusive.

[Ultimate'05LS]

quote:Originally posted by jack n:
Must be those clunky LS models specially made for Maryland.

Today I found a good bump in an old parking lot. Heard the noise going over the bump.

When I ran the bump with the door slightly open the noise disappeared.

Tried rubber mallet at different places around the (open) door - inconculusive.
I tried with the window down, but I don't know if I didn't hear it because of the wind noise, or because it was gone.
If my dealer doesn't fix it at its 10k checkup, I'll have to take the service writer for a ride....

[jack n]

I went in today for my 10,000 mile visit.

The mechanic heard the noise on a test run. He removed the driver's door panel and found nothing. I told them to quit looking for now.

My current theory is that it's the fit of the door. As the door gaskets age and compress, more slop develops, allowing a rattle on large road shocks. I plan to close the door on a towel, to see whether that stops the noise. But that bumpy old parking lot I found is 20 miles away.

The external appearance of the door fit is fine. So I'm not anxious to tighten/misalign the outside to quiet the noise, presuming my current theory is correct. Perhaps some supplemental gasketing can be added.

Keep us informed of your further findings. I will do likewise.

[george46]

I had this similar rattle in the door of my ls from day one, then when I took it in for service (at about 8000 miles) I asked the shop to look at the problem. The said they 'greased a gasket' whatever that means but I think they found what was loose and tightened something. Anyway the rattle is gone now and I am much happier with my ls.

[Ultimate'05LS]

quote:Originally posted by george46:
I had this similar rattle in the door of my ls from day one, then when I took it in for service (at about 8000 miles) I asked the shop to look at the problem. The said they 'greased a gasket' whatever that means but I think they found what was loose and tightened something. Anyway the rattle is gone now and I am much happier with my ls.
I'm going to have them look again at it at my 10k checkup. If they don't fix it again, I'm going to give Ford Regional a call. This is driving me crazy, and really ruining the ambiance of a 40k luxury car that's quiet in every other respect (it's worse than when I started this topic as I have 1300 more miles on it).

[jack n]

Today I had an appointment for my LS with the body shop of my LM dealer. The body men are better for this problem than regular mechanics.

They concluded that all four doors had the same problem. Earlier I had tried half-inch round foam caulking around the driver's door, and the noise was reduced but not gone. This is consistent with more than one door being loose. The driver's door, being closest, is most noticeable.

The body shop adjusted (i.e., bent with a special slide hammer) the striker plates on each door, to close the doors tighter. Only one of the four doors looks a little misaligned. This ain't no Lexus. I prefer the small misalignment to driving a rattletrap.

A week ago I had loosened the driver's door striker plate (after first marking around the plate with a Sharpie) only to discover that there's nominally no adjustment slop. That's why they use a slide hammer for bending the plate. There's no noticeable distortion of the plates, so it's probably safe to do this.

I believe the rattles are gone. They are certainly much less common. It will take a few days of driving to be sure.

Wish my 2004 LS were as troublefree as my 2001 Ranger. That's never needed any attention beyond oil & filter changes -- no problems and no recalls.

[Ultimate'05LS]

quote:Originally posted by jack n:
Today I had an appointment for my LS with the body shop of my LM dealer. The body men are better for this problem than regular mechanics.

They concluded that all four doors had the same problem. Earlier I had tried half-inch round foam caulking around the driver's door, and the noise was reduced but not gone. This is consistent with more than one door being loose. The driver's door, being closest, is most noticeable.

The body shop adjusted (i.e., bent with a special slide hammer) the striker plates on each door, to close the doors tighter. Only one of the four doors looks a little misaligned. This ain't no Lexus. I prefer the small misalignment to driving a rattletrap.

A week ago I had loosened the driver's door striker plate (after first marking around the plate with a Sharpie) only to discover that there's nominally no adjustment slop. That's why they use a slide hammer for bending the plate. There's no noticeable distortion of the plates, so it's probably safe to do this.

I believe the rattles are gone. They are certainly much less common. It will take a few days of driving to be sure.

Wish my 2004 LS were as troublefree as my 2001 Ranger. That's never needed any attention beyond oil & filter changes -- no problems and no recalls.We have different issues, then. My problem is within the door.

[HOTLINC]

One of few complaints I've had for my 2000 LS V6 is the few rattles it has - that seem to really come to life the colder the weather gets (luckily I park it in the winter or I'd go crazy...)

I've had the door rattle that seems to be related to the panel itself, because if I push in on it - it goes away.

Then there is the rattle that comes from the right side of the radio housing (worst when cold out.)

There is the back window rattle. It is pretty infrequent, but happens.

Lastly - I have one that can come from the driver's side head rest. I think I solved that one by placing both head rests at the first click/setting up.

The thing that I remind myself is that this cabin is extremely quiet and that is why I can hear these subtle rattles. If I were driving some other brand vehicles that have louder interiors - I wouldn't notice the rattles. Plus, the radio/music helps to cover them up.

[jack n]

Hey Ultimate --

Any further understanding of your door rattle?

I've been driving my LS very little, since I use my Ranger most of the time.

Today I got back to my test site, 20 miles away, and my noise problem was not solved (as I've been suspecting). Tightening the doors may have made the noise less frequent, but the same rattle persists.

Thus, I am hoping you have learned the source of our (probably) common noise.

[Ultimate'05LS]

quote:Originally posted by jack n:
Hey Ultimate --

Any further understanding of your door rattle?

I've been driving my LS very little, since I use my Ranger most of the time.

Today I got back to my test site, 20 miles away, and my noise problem was not solved (as I've been suspecting). Tightening the doors may have made the noise less frequent, but the same rattle persists.

Thus, I am hoping you have learned the source of our (probably) common noise.Coincidentally, it's going in for its 10k on Tuesday when I'm going to have them take another look at it. Like you, I've been putting miles on my Ranger which is why it's taken so long to hit 10k.

[Ultimate'05LS]

quote:Originally posted by Ultimate'05LS:
Coincidentally, it's going in for its 10k on Tuesday when I'm going to have them take another look at it. Like you, I've been putting miles on my Ranger which is why it's taken so long to hit 10k.Fixed!!! Drove home in blessed silence, as quiet as the '06 loaner they gave me! The comments in all of their glory are below unedited. They (Cherner L/M in Annandale, VA) had it for two days doing that, the 10k service, and fixing "Water intrusion into coil pack on cylinder 3" which was causing very rough running.

9957 DRIVER DOOR LATCH STRIKER PLATE LOOSE TEST DROVE CONFIRMED RATTLE AT TIMES REMOVED B PILLAR TRIM RE DROVE STILL PRESENT REMOVED DRIVER SEAT BELT ASSEM TO ACCESS INTERNAL B PILLAR FOR INSPECTION OF POSS CAUSES WITH SHOP FOREMAN REMOVED DRIVER DOOR PANEL RE DROVE FOUND DRIVER DOOR LATCH OUT OF ADJUSTMENT CAUSING STRIKER PLATE INSIDE OF B PILLAR TO MOVE CAUSING NOISE ADJUSTED DOOR LATCH AND RE ADJ STRIKER LUBED AND RE DROVE WITH FOREMAN ALL OK AT THIS TIME

And all is okay with me.

[jack n]

Thanks, Ultimate, for the report.

Still trying to decypher the repaireze.

I presume the B pillar is the vertical one between the front and rear doors.

If by striker plate they mean the fixed part of the door latch which is on the B pillar, I believe mine is tight; I had checked the bolts with a torx.

But something INSIDE the B pillar between the doors could well be my problem. I know that when I hold the door open a little, my noise stops.

Still cogitating your happy results. Congrats.

[kgie1217]

Great to hear they got it fixed. Rattles are like a tooth ache.

[Ultimate'05LS]

quote:Originally posted by jack n:
Thanks, Ultimate, for the report.

Still trying to decypher the repaireze.

I presume the B pillar is the vertical one between the front and rear doors.

If by striker plate they mean the fixed part of the door latch which is on the B pillar, I believe mine is tight; I had checked the bolts with a torx.

But something INSIDE the B pillar between the doors could well be my problem. I know that when I hold the door open a little, my noise stops.

Still cogitating your happy results. Congrats.After almost a month and hundreds of miles, it's still perfect. Cherner fixed it. I wish I'd gotten a Ford eval for the warranty service because I'd be effusively praising them.