Door construction

Huskymaniac · #1 07-05-2011, 06:30 AM

I checked out a metallic squeaking/rattling sound in my Tribeca yesteday. I hate removing door panels but that is another subject. It turns out that there is a bracket that runs diagonally along the door and uses some sort of rubbery/RTV type stuff between the outer metal panel and this bracket. My guess is that it is used to help reinforce or support the metal panel. One end is still solidly attached to the door. The other end is loose. It seems like the ends of this bracket are welded to the door. Does anyone know if this is correct for typical cars/subarus? I couldn't begin to conceive of how to repair this due to how buried it is in the door and how much stuff is in the way. So I jammed a rubber o-ring between it and door. That stopped the squeaking due to the metal-on-metal rubbing. I'm not sure if the tension will hold it permanently.

Hocrest · #2 07-05-2011, 06:46 AM

Sounds like a warranty claim to me?

Huskymaniac · #3 07-05-2011, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocrest

Sounds like a warranty claim to me?

The car is 5 years old and has 75K miles on it so I don't think we are still under warranty.

Hocrest · #4 07-05-2011, 07:24 AM

Ugh. I'm still thinking that all Tribeca's are "new"...

Is this a heavy cross beam meant to protect you in case of side impact or just something minor?

Huskymaniac · #5 07-05-2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocrest

Ugh. I'm still thinking that all Tribeca's are "new"...

Is this a heavy cross beam meant to protect you in case of side impact or just something minor?

No, this is a smaller thin bracket that I think protects against light impacts from causing big dents.