Remove the driver side interior panel to fix the Window rattling noise

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Apr 8, 2009 | 12:13 AM
  #1  
Cliff note 1: If your window is rattling, pull the rubber plugs on the bottom side of the door, see if are missing any bolts. If you are, that might very well be the reason why.

Cliff note 2: If you want to remove the door panel, then read on.


I have had my CLK for almost 2 months now. My driver side window is rattling when I drive over the bump. It is very annoying consider that CLK is quiet (well, compare to my Subaru) and that the rattling noise is exceptionally loud because of it. Also, I was not able to close the door smoothly, it takes quite an effort to close the door. After doing some search on the board, and really did not find much info except going to the dealership. Unfortunately, I do not have extended warranty so I was left with no choice but DIY.

Remove the driver side interior panel to fix the Window rattling noise-img_0213.jpg
Remove the SRS tag and remove the torx bolt


Remove the driver side interior panel to fix the Window rattling noise-img_0214.jpg
Remove the round tag and remove the second torx bolt


Remove the driver side interior panel to fix the Window rattling noise-img_0215.jpg
Remove the chrome plate, 3 small torx bolt.
Also remove the plastic piece right underneath it, 1 torx bolt (no pix, sorry)



Remove the driver side interior panel to fix the Window rattling noise-img_0210.jpg
Pop the twitter.


Remove the driver side interior panel to fix the Window rattling noise-img_0209.jpg
Ok, now ready to remove the interior panel. start from the bottom, pull gently, the clips will pop, work your way to the top.


Remove the driver side interior panel to fix the Window rattling noise-img_0211.jpg
Remove the driver side interior panel to fix the Window rattling noise-img_0207.jpg
Remove connectors that are connected to the door. Also unhook the door handle.

After I did all that, I finally realized that I have very limited access to the windows regulator to search for the rattling. So I was about to give up and either to live with the rattling, or go to the dealership and bend over. BUT, I got curious with all the rubber plugs on the bottom side of the door, and I decided to pull them out. Little do I know, behind those rubber plugs are the windows regulator adjust/secure bolts. I also found the cause of the rattling as well. I was missing 1 nut, which cause the window regulators to bounce freely.
Remove the driver side interior panel to fix the Window rattling noise-img_0216.jpg
I put another nut in there, and the noise is gone, and the door can now shut tightly and smoothly was well.


Reply 0
Apr 8, 2009 | 01:10 AM
  #2  
Thanks for the DYI! I have no rattle but I'm going to do an radio install soon and these pics will come in handy when I replace the door speakers.
Reply 0
Apr 14, 2009 | 02:03 AM
  #3  
GOOD JOB !!
Reply 0
Jun 9, 2009 | 11:55 AM
  #4  
hello i need your help i am trying to take my door panle off rite now lol and the top part is giving me a hard time i was wondering if you can help me out? what is holding the top part on ???thanks you
Reply 0
Jun 10, 2009 | 03:41 PM
  #5  
Nicely done for your 1st post LOL

Reply 0
Sep 14, 2009 | 01:26 PM
  #6  
Quote: Cliff note 1: If your window is rattling, pull the rubber plugs on the bottom side of the door, see if are missing any bolts. If you are, that might very well be the reason why.

Cliff note 2: If you want to remove the door panel, then read on.


I have had my CLK for almost 2 months now. My driver side window is rattling when I drive over the bump. It is very annoying consider that CLK is quiet (well, compare to my Subaru) and that the rattling noise is exceptionally loud because of it. Also, I was not able to close the door smoothly, it takes quite an effort to close the door. After doing some search on the board, and really did not find much info except going to the dealership. Unfortunately, I do not have extended warranty so I was left with no choice but DIY.


Remove the SRS tag and remove the torx bolt



Remove the round tag and remove the second torx bolt



Remove the chrome plate, 3 small torx bolt.
Also remove the plastic piece right underneath it, 1 torx bolt (no pix, sorry)



Pop the twitter.



Ok, now ready to remove the interior panel. start from the bottom, pull gently, the clips will pop, work your way to the top.




Remove connectors that are connected to the door. Also unhook the door handle.

After I did all that, I finally realized that I have very limited access to the windows regulator to search for the rattling. So I was about to give up and either to live with the rattling, or go to the dealership and bend over. BUT, I got curious with all the rubber plugs on the bottom side of the door, and I decided to pull them out. Little do I know, behind those rubber plugs are the windows regulator adjust/secure bolts. I also found the cause of the rattling as well. I was missing 1 nut, which cause the window regulators to bounce freely.

I put another nut in there, and the noise is gone, and the door can now shut tightly and smoothly was well.

Thanks for the DIY instructions. I'm need to remove the door panels and followed your instructions, removed all the screws and bolts but now I'm stuck. Don't know where to go from there, I can't seem to take off or pull off the panel from the door. Do you mind telling me how I can do so? thanks in advance.
Reply 0
Sep 14, 2009 | 04:39 PM
  #7  
pull out and up...and when you put it back, clip everything in, then push down to make it sit proper.
Reply 0
Sep 17, 2009 | 10:24 AM
  #8  
OK if I understand this correctly.

After ALL this removing door panel to stop the rattling.
you only needed to remove the bottom door caps under the door, where is the little courtesy light
to adjust the nut/bolt
(which you don't need to remove the door assembly to acces them...)

Is this right?

Cause my passager side window is really rattling now. soo I want to try this
nut/bolt adjusment.

Dam passagers always slamming the door all the time
(heavy doors VS a civic LOL )
Reply 0

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Sep 18, 2009 | 03:07 AM
  #9  
my driver window squeaks while opening and closing? Any reccomendations?

By the way... heavy door compared to any other car!

thanks
Reply 0
Sep 18, 2009 | 09:15 AM
  #10  
I guess some king of lubricant to make that window slide...

Remove the driver side interior panel to fix the Window rattling noise-img_0216.jpg


I tried last night, and got under the car door passager side (widows rattling)
and removed the 5 rubber thingy... There's only 2 rubber holes that have
bolts in it, ONE was loose.
Soo I tighen it, but it only did fix the rattling problem when I close the door
with the window up . When the window is down and I close the door, DAM that rattle, the window sound loose.

Where can I find the bolt/ or torx screw to tighen when the window is down?

thx


Reply 0
Feb 5, 2010 | 01:39 PM
  #11  
Quote: I guess some king of lubricant to make that window slide...




I tried last night, and got under the car door passager side (widows rattling)
and removed the 5 rubber thingy... There's only 2 rubber holes that have
bolts in it, ONE was loose.
Soo I tighen it, but it only did fix the rattling problem when I close the door
with the window up . When the window is down and I close the door, DAM that rattle, the window sound loose.

Where can I find the bolt/ or torx screw to tighen when the window is down?

thx
i was about to spend loads of money on the rattle and i cant believe a simple 10mm nut stoped the rattle... amazing.. thanks a million. i also have a funny noise that i think comes from where the cabriolet roof joins the body of the car aby advice on stoppinf the slight rattle.
Reply 0
May 31, 2010 | 12:16 PM
  #12  
Additional fixing point
Thanks very much for your useful tips about removing the interior door panel to get at the interesting bits.

My side window got smashed a while ago and was replaced by an auto-glass repairer - I could have done a better job.

Having removed the door panel and disconnected the door-handle link as suggested I also removed the woofer which gives great vis into the window mechanical linkage.

If you wind the window down to 80% open you can see where the bottom conrner is secured (or not in my case) with a star bolt. This is self-tapping and can easily be tightened using the right tools (or a pair of mole-grips) to stop the window from rattling.

I'd post a nice pic to show you but got so carried away with how my repair had gone, it's all back in one piece now - sorry.
Reply 1
Jan 2, 2013 | 11:50 AM
  #13  
A dry rubber can make a noise. Try buying some silicon grease, it is almost transparent. Put a very small bit on your finger and smear along the rubber seal which joins with roof. Use about the amount the size of a pea on the whole seal, or less. I did this once last year.

All rattle from roof join should go. Otherwise it probably needs adjusting.

I hear that dealers cannot fix this problem... Does not say much for their knowledge.
Reply 0
Apr 25, 2013 | 10:08 PM
  #14  
Rattle gone - THANKS!
Just another thank you. Cannot believe how many of us experience the same thing and a simple, magic fix. Thank you again.

BG
Reply 0
May 1, 2013 | 01:59 PM
  #15  
Great info. Just getting ready to replace the seat memory controls on the door. One question though, I have a convertable, does anyone know of any differences I need to be aware of?
Reply 0
May 1, 2013 | 08:52 PM
  #16  
The cabriolet is the same, but there is no SRS badge to remove (your side airbags are mounted in the seat).
Reply 0
May 7, 2013 | 08:04 PM
  #17  
I used the instructions above and got the door panel off no problem. I have my salvaged seat control in hand and see the cover over the controller has more hot glue holding it in place than I know how to deal with. Hot glue on the styrofoam door panel is a little daunting. Need some advice on how to proceed and not tear anything up and replace without setting up for rattles and other misery down the road.
Reply 0
May 7, 2013 | 10:37 PM
  #18  
There shouldn't be any hot glue on the seat control switch panel. The plastic panel just snaps into the door, and the switches just snap into the plastic panel. Maybe a previous owner had a rattle and tried to fix it?
Reply 0
May 7, 2013 | 11:02 PM
  #19  
A light bulb just popped on above my head. I should access the switch from the outside. I don't need to remove the whole door panel, do I?
Reply 0
May 8, 2013 | 09:45 PM
  #20  
No, you do sill have to remove the door panel to unclip the seat control and its panel from behind.
Reply 0
May 8, 2013 | 10:14 PM
  #21  
I'll try again tomorrow afternoon. Found some diagrams on alldatadiy that helped a little.
Reply 0
May 13, 2013 | 11:19 PM
  #22  
Success! I can now use my seat memory. Thanks for all the help.
Reply 0
Sep 16, 2013 | 07:49 PM
  #23  
Can I confirm that you only need to access the bolts under the rubber seals without taking trim off? Thanks
MB
Reply 0
Sep 17, 2013 | 12:40 AM
  #24  
Went and looked anyway...nut loose, squeak FIXED! Excellent....thanks so much for your post mate!
Reply 0
Apr 29, 2014 | 03:27 PM
  #25  
Worked for me too! Nut was missing but found a replacement and it cured the rattle.

Thanks for the info
Reply 0
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