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Ken Heising (aka Ken_tech) [ View ] [ Email ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ] Fairfax, Virginia

My doors shut very easily, but if they are shut with too much force (easy to do), you hear the clang of steel and the rattle of fiberglass. Additionally, when I was out enjoying my springtime drive today, the doors rattled on several occasions. Very irritating. I want to install some door seals that hopefully will soften the sound of the door closing, and give it a much more solid sound. Requesting your expertise, what products/manufacturers are best for my Coast-to-Coast body? Easy to install products would be a plus. many thanks, Ken

Comments

Posted by oilmanpat  -  03/14/2008 09:06 PM I think first I would check with C to C and see if they have anything available. Just a thought. oilmanpat [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Warsaw, Illinois   Posted by Ken_tech  -  03/14/2008 09:07 PM Today, I believe I heard the door lock rattle as well. Any way to silence this sucker? thanks. Ken_tech [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Fairfax, Virginia   Posted by 37tin  -  03/14/2008 09:17 PM hooboy,,,I hope it's not something loose inside Ken, can you take a look inside the door? stick your nose in there take a poke around see what ya find,. 37tin [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] langley, Canada   Posted by Ken_tech  -  03/14/2008 09:34 PM Tin, I will look inside to ensure all is secure. I may have exaggerated the sound of the door closing. If closed softly (as I do), all is fine. If closed with force (by a newbie), it closes with a bang,i.e., harshly. Just looking/searching for a much-more-solid door closing operation. The doors seemed to rattle today at some stoplights on my springtime drive. But you know how it is, when you are driving, you are critiquing your street rod at the same time. Ken_tech [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Fairfax, Virginia   Posted by DavyJ  -  03/14/2008 09:35 PM Does it have weather strip now? perhaps it is just too small or has become crushed and will not keep tension on the door. As for the rattles, like Len says, best to open it up and take a peek. Still driving the wife's car, cause I am slow. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Niagara Falls, Canada Charter Member since February 2005   Posted by Red's Place Custom & Restoration  -  03/14/2008 09:49 PM you said you heard the door locks rattle, maybe it really is the control rods inside the doors for things like door locks and inside handles. If you take the door panel off you can take thin cardboard and rap in loosely around any metal rods or linkage that rest against the inside of the doors. This is also a good method to use on steel cars. Don't wrap it too tight that it will interfere with operation, and don't use a cardboard box unless it is a cereal box, they seem to work best. Have you ever noticed how bad a car rides if it has a rattle, seems like everything you hit is a grand canyon. I spend alot of time taking care of rattles and preventing them. Hope this helps RED Red's Place Custom & Restoration [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Charlotte, North Carolina   Posted by Ken_tech  -  03/14/2008 10:01 PM Thanks for the responses guys. I took some pix of the existing rubber weatherstripping. It is there, but is seems to have given up the ghost. You'll see the driver's door has an additional strip of foam on it, but the doors close harshly unless they are shut gently. I need more cushioning. Ken_tech [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Fairfax, Virginia   Posted by Starfire  -  03/14/2008 10:21 PM I suspect all that is needed is about a 2 foot square piece of that black anti-vibration mat car makers place inside the doors of every car made. Same stuff that is used on floor pans only a bit thinner. Also if the door doesn't sound right on closing, try adjusting the striker. 1/32nd of an inch one way or the other can make a world of difference in the sound of any car door being closed. Starfire [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Weimar, Texas   Posted by Ken_tech  -  03/14/2008 10:30 PM Starfire, "black anti-vibration mat" -- that's OEM door sealer/weatherstripping? Where/how might I get some of that stuff? Or are you talking Dynamat? That I can find. regards, Ken Ken_tech [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Fairfax, Virginia   Posted by dixie  -  03/15/2008 12:09 AM KEN PLEASE DON'T SLAM THE DOORS ON THAT CAR.THATS A BEATIFUL STREETROD BUT IT'S NOT A 4X4 MUD TRUCK GO EASY ON IT. STARFIRE WHERE IN THE WORLD DO U COME UP WITH SOME OF THIS STUFF ,MAN I NEVER HEARD OF THAT? jim grace [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] dade city, Florida Charter Member since January 2006   Posted by Starfire  -  03/15/2008 12:21 AM Dynamat makes a product called TAC Mat which is designed to absorb vibrations as well as shield from heat. It's a bit pricey at $70.00 for a 32" X 54" sheet which can be cut however you want it. Your local rod shop should be able to order it if they do not stock it. Starfire [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Weimar, Texas   Posted by 37tin  -  03/15/2008 01:36 AM Don't charge into the doors yet Ken, after looking at the picts. I think you got it ,,rod shops have lots of different sizes and durometer rubber for seals for doors, hoods etc. 37tin [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] langley, Canada   Posted by 1carguy  -  03/15/2008 01:37 AM I don't think weatherstrips or doors seals will stop what you are describing. I suspect that something inside the door is loose or not mounted right. Most door trim panels can be easily removed to check all the hardware inside the door. It might as simple as something loose, or something that needs to be repositioned or insulated. 1carguy [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Pleasanton, California   Posted by 37tin  -  03/15/2008 02:32 AM As I said last year,,if your having too much trouble with that car,, I'll get it outa your life!!Man I like that ride!! 37tin [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] langley, Canada   Posted by scamp  -  03/15/2008 04:03 AM i had trouble with window rattle when down adjust track and try also adjust striker i have no rubber around doors no raddle keep playing with it it will come around ed wilson [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] weirton, West Virginia   Posted by awsum34  -  03/15/2008 08:35 AM What kind of clearance do you have between evetything. Door linkage to the window and other door components, Window regulator to other door components (if cable driven look at the pigtail), Door linkage loose to the latch and/or insdie handle, glass fit to the window channel, awsum34 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Overland Park, Kansas   Posted by BigAlBre  -  03/15/2008 09:09 AM I guess I'm too easy to please...I'm happy if my doors close and lock hehehe Big Al sittin back in paradise. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St Pete Beach, Florida Charter Member since June 1999   Posted by JAWS  -  03/15/2008 09:30 AM I get nervous if my coupe is quiet...... An electrical headache can make a great car a pain [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Boise, Idaho Charter Member since August 2004   Posted by dixie  -  03/15/2008 11:10 AM MAN I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WINDOW RATTLE,HOW ABOUT THAT BEAR. GETTING READY TO GO TO PLANT CITY CRUISE O ALMOST FORGOT ALL MY NORTHERN FRIENDS , {{ NO TOP ON THE ROADSTER}} EAT YOUR HEART OUT DAM ITS COLD TODAY 80 OUT THERE. DIXIE--- LIVING THE GOOD LIFE IN THE LAND OF SUNSHINE. jim grace [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] dade city, Florida Charter Member since January 2006   Posted by Ken_tech  -  03/15/2008 11:25 AM Guys, thanks for the responses and the humor. I will open the passenger door panel and examine for rattles. esp that door lock. I will also get some foam or rubber to put on top of the existing weatherstripping on the front edge of the doors and see how that works out. regards, Ken Ken_tech [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Fairfax, Virginia   Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  03/15/2008 12:16 PM best bet to stop noise from control rods is to put vac hose over them. dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003   Posted by Ken_tech  -  03/15/2008 12:20 PM that's a great tip! thanks Shine! Ken_tech [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Fairfax, Virginia   Posted by awsum34  -  03/15/2008 12:22 PM It doesn't take much to get a rattle when shutting a door, Move some things in and out to see if they touch anything. example, inside door handle rod or cable, might have enough clearance to work, but not enough clearance from hitting something when shutting the door. Also check for loose bolts/nuts, lenght of bolts (one bolt might be just a tad to long and be hitting something when shutting. Roll the glass up half way, then all the way up and see if there is a rattle when shutting the door. also remember any rattle inside a door is going to sound loud, because it is inside a closed area. awsum34 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Overland Park, Kansas   Posted by RedricoAdelphianet  -  03/15/2008 01:32 PM if you have that hollow sound , try peel&seal 6x25 ft at lowes $14.00 per roll gives you that thud affect. please dont flame me just my opinion used six rolls in my zephyr and its like day and nite. i feel like im in a closed suitcase if that makes any sense? RedricoAdelphianet [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Pittsburgh, Pennsylvannia   Posted by Ken_tech  -  03/15/2008 01:32 PM Red, So you mean line/cover the entire interior of the door, eh? The price is right on this stuff. Certainly worth a try......... Ken_tech [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Fairfax, Virginia   Posted by RedricoAdelphianet  -  03/15/2008 01:36 PM ken i did every thing i could access, made a huge difference even the audio is much better its easy and its cheap. RedricoAdelphianet [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Pittsburgh, Pennsylvannia   Posted by Starfire  -  03/15/2008 01:42 PM A word of caution about all sound reducing materials. If you are going to be installing over metal make sure the metal has a good coat of paint on it as all sound deadening materials and/or adhesives used will manage to trap and hold moisture regardless of how applied, and we all know what that leads to, our old buddy rust! Starfire [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Weimar, Texas   Posted by Ken_tech  -  03/15/2008 07:40 PM Guys, thanks again for the suggestions on how to solve my problem. I tried to take the door panel off today, and it was a primarily an exercise in frustration. I got 6 of the spring clips off (the front of the door and bottom clips), and then the next one would NOT release. I worked on it for 25 minutes and swore up a blue streak! I tried everything. I had a plastic spatula on it, and applied a lot of force on it and it would come off. What a pisser! I did, however, have a small degree of success. I found the door lock anchoring screws (at the bottom of the door) were loose. I tightened them, and the lock works better. Unfortunately, it still rattles. I buttoned things up and went out for a 15 min drive on a great day -- 58 degrees and sunny! I do feel better for getting out there, and trying my best. A small improvement today. I will take it. Any way to get a reluctant spring clip off the frickin' door? regards, Ken Ken_tech [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Fairfax, Virginia   Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  03/15/2008 07:46 PM ken, there is a tool for doing this. it is called a clip fork. it will pop them out without tearing the clip out of the door panel. dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003   Posted by Ken_tech  -  03/15/2008 08:01 PM Where can I buy one? Ken Ken_tech [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Fairfax, Virginia   Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  03/15/2008 08:14 PM check with any parts store. it looks like a flat paddle with a slot in it. you slip it in and pop it out. dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003   Posted by Ken_tech  -  03/15/2008 08:19 PM OK, thanks Shine! regards, Ken Ken_tech [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Fairfax, Virginia   Posted by Starfire  -  03/15/2008 09:00 PM Ken - If your local parts stores say they don't have the tool Shine suggested tell them to look on the Motormite HELP rack. Metal spring clips are not used that much anymore by automakers so don't be shocked if they don't have the tool. You can also make one if you have a die grinder. Just buy a real stiff 3" wide putty knife and cut a 3/16" slot about 1" deep in the middle of the blade. Should get the job done. Wear Safety glasses! Starfire [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Weimar, Texas   Posted by 29robert  -  03/15/2008 09:06 PM Ken. If it turns out to be the rubber around the doors, give Soft Seal a call. I couldn't tell from their catalog which size or shape of seal would work right for the doors or hood on my car,so they sent me a sample bag with about 20 (short pieces) different sizes and shapes to try. Nice people to deal with. Maybe the door seals have just been crushed. 29robert [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] La Verne, California Charter Member since November 2004   Posted by DavyJ  -  03/15/2008 10:48 PM Ken, an easy way to check the seals on the doors is to close a dollar bill in the door, you should feel a good drag on it if you pull it out. Compare your everyday car to the rod for the feel. If it is too loose the seal is not working, it will require a large diameter or different shape. Like Robert says, Soft Seal will get you a sampler. I use the peel and stick stuff from McMaster Carr, available on line. Still driving the wife's car, cause I am slow. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Niagara Falls, Canada Charter Member since February 2005   Posted by 37tin  -  03/16/2008 12:36 AM good advice Davyj,, 2 things,1'st where the heck did you get the dollar bill, and how much ya want for it, 2'nd, last time I tried that, put the 5 in, gave it a pull and only got a half of it back!!!my god,,, I've got a government car, leave with ya that one!!.......................living in the land of many taxes 37tin [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] langley, Canada   Posted by Starfire  -  03/16/2008 12:42 AM See how much better off you are when the Canadian dollar is worth less than the U.S. Dollar..... That 5 would have been 20% thinner and it would have pulled right out in tact.......... (grin) Starfire [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Weimar, Texas   Posted by 37tin  -  03/16/2008 01:22 AM Ahhhh your awake!!that mean I'm 60 canadian 48 US...I like it,,your turn..can't wait to see the reply on this one!!!!!!!!!thanks for the humour old guy.. 37tin [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] langley, Canada   Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  03/16/2008 08:51 AM i have found that the door seals sold by bob drake for the 37 ford work on just about everything. i also use door bumpers. the bumpers are the most important part as they keep the door snug when closed. avoid foam seals as they dont last very long. dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003   Posted by DavyJ  -  03/16/2008 09:20 AM 37 tin, don't forget I live in a boarder town, we enjoy both sides of Niagara Falls. So i always have plenty of ones! Besides, our taxes got lowered Jan, Sales tax is now down to 13 %. The dollar trick is something we used back in a Chrysler dealership, when i was an apprentice.........long time ago, Still driving the wife's car, cause I am slow. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Niagara Falls, Canada Charter Member since February 2005   Posted by mikeco  -  03/16/2008 10:18 AM Ken hope to see ya at the Mothers day show so I can check out the new ride! mikeco [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] alexandria, Virginia   Posted by Starfire  -  03/16/2008 10:45 AM 37tin - I don't know that I have a good comeback on that one. But I will say I've been enjoying the higher Canadian Dollar and what I have gained in the exchange from investing in Canadian oil sand production. Starfire [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Weimar, Texas   Posted by RedricoAdelphianet  -  03/16/2008 10:54 AM when you store your car during the off season dont shut doors tight as it compresses the door seals heard that somewhere? RedricoAdelphianet [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Pittsburgh, Pennsylvannia   Posted by Ken_tech  -  03/16/2008 03:25 PM Thanks guys for all the information and tips. You're a great resource! regards, Ken Ken_tech [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Fairfax, Virginia

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