creeky doors!

ahmed-abrar · #1 10-16-2007, 03:53 AM

both my doors upon opening make a dry creeky sound, i suspect its the metal door straps, any ideas & are they easy to change? thanks

svxistentialist · #2 10-16-2007, 05:47 AM

I'm interested in this too. It is the metal straps. Generally I grease them from time to time, and the creaking stops when you do.

You could chance cleaning the straps with steel wool to shine them up, then smear on a fine layer of grease [too much attracts dirt]. This works for me, for a while.

I'm wondering how much a new strap costs and if it would make a difference.

Joe

RSVX · #3 10-16-2007, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahmed-abrar

both my doors upon opening make a dry creeky sound, i suspect its the metal door straps, any ideas & are they easy to change? thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by svxistentialist

I'm interested in this too. It is the metal straps. Generally I grease them from time to time, and the creaking stops when you do.

You could chance cleaning the straps with steel wool to shine them up, then smear on a fine layer of grease [too much attracts dirt]. This works for me, for a while.

I'm wondering how much a new strap costs and if it would make a difference.

Joe

Bump for great interest.

UPnorth362 · #4 10-16-2007, 03:14 PM

I found that dry graphite lube seems to keep them from squeaking for about 6mo or so, plus it will not attract dirt. Can find it at most specialty hardware stores. Its generally used to lube electric motor bushings.

blueji · #5 10-21-2007, 04:40 PM

New door straps are £56.00 EACH! from Subaru dealer, cheaper to stick to the grease. A shame really as the rest of the car has quality sounds....

svxistentialist · #6 10-21-2007, 05:37 PM

It might be OK paying the £56 a side if the change and improvement was lasting.

Unfortunately, keeping them shiny and graphite coated seems to be the only way, at present!

Hondasucks · #7 10-21-2007, 10:48 PM

I sprayed mine with Toyota Silicone Spray and they don't creak at all anymore. I tried it on my sunroof but it still sticks

redsvx · #8 10-30-2007, 06:26 PM

I used Gunk brand silicone liquid wrench ( not sure if it is available in UK ) on my doors and sunroof.
No more squeaks and my sunroof opens on its own power.

svxistentialist · #9 10-31-2007, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsvx

I used Gunk brand silicone liquid wrench ( not sure if it is available in UK ) on my doors and sunroof.
No more squeaks and my sunroof opens on its own power.

Thanks Bob.

I've seen Gunk products around. I'll keep an eye open for that one.

Joe

blueji · #10 11-23-2007, 05:15 PM

Ahmed,
Newly done this week was an overhaul of the door checkers and they now work a treat! better than a quick fix with grease.
Remove the door cards then the speakers, tap out the pin holding the strap to the inner wing and unscrew the two nuts holding the unit to the door then remove it through the speaker aperature. With the unit held in a vise, prise back the four tabs and remove the back plate to reveal two heavy springs, ease them out with a screw driver. On the end of the spring is a white nylon guide and within the guide is a small metal roller just over 6mm dia, which pinches the strap, if like mine they have flats on them this is what causes the rough action and noise. I replaced them with cutting them from a chrome vanadium screw driver (the shaft) which was the same dia.
Once degreased, cleaned and reassembled, I soaked the whole unit with Teflon grease, a can of Castrol Motor bike chain wax is ideal, my doors now have a quality sound...smooth and quiet.

John

svxistentialist · #11 11-23-2007, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueji

Ahmed,
Newly done this week was an overhaul of the door checkers and they now work a treat! better than a quick fix with grease.
Remove the door cards then the speakers, tap out the pin holding the strap to the inner wing and unscrew the two nuts holding the unit to the door then remove it through the speaker aperature. With the unit held in a vise, prise back the four tabs and remove the back plate to reveal two heavy springs, ease them out with a screw driver. On the end of the spring is a white nylon guide and within the guide is a small metal roller just over 6mm dia, which pinches the strap, if like mine they have flats on them this is what causes the rough action and noise. I replaced them with cutting them from a chrome vanadium screw driver (the shaft) which was the same dia.
Once degreased, cleaned and reassembled, I soaked the whole unit with Teflon grease, a can of Castrol Motor bike chain wax is ideal, my doors now have a quality sound...smooth and quiet.

John

Hey John, that is a super fix!! Thank you.

Did you take any pictures while you had it apart? The reason I ask is this needs to be entered in the How-To section.

Joe

ensteele · #12 11-23-2007, 08:00 PM

If you have any pictures, we should get this written up for a How-To.

blueji · #13 11-24-2007, 05:11 AM

Ok guy's, i'll see what I can do. I'll email any pics direct to you Joe, if that's ok. BTW Joe, received my service parts from the States yesterday and they look fine, although the water pump seems a little rough on the casting...will see when I start to strip it down what the original one looks like.
John

svxistentialist · #14 11-24-2007, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueji

Ok guy's, i'll see what I can do. I'll email any pics direct to you Joe, if that's ok. BTW Joe, received my service parts from the States yesterday and they look fine, although the water pump seems a little rough on the casting...will see when I start to strip it down what the original one looks like.
John

Thanks John. If you can send the pics, we will pdf it and make it available.

I hope your water pump proves to be the same as the one you are taking out.

Joe