Noisy window, 1996 Ford Taurus

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mc - 21 Jul 2006 04:11 GMT

The front passenger-side window always sounds as if it's not quite closed;
it's actually a little quieter if I back off 1/8 inch from maximum closed
position.

What should I look for? Not having looked yet, I'm wondering if it's a
misadjustment to the door latch so that the whole door isn't closing tightly
enough (though it latches firmly). Or should the weatherstripping be
replaced? How hard is it to do that?

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mc - 21 Jul 2006 05:22 GMT

For some reason this didn't seem to go out the first time. If you received
it twice, please accept my apologies.

> The front passenger-side window always sounds as if it's not quite closed;
> it's actually a little quieter if I back off 1/8 inch from maximum closed
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> tightly enough (though it latches firmly). Or should the weatherstripping
> be replaced? How hard is it to do that?

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Pop - 21 Jul 2006 14:51 GMT

> The front passenger-side window always sounds as if it's not
> quite closed; it's actually a little quieter if I back off 1/8
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Or should the weatherstripping be replaced? How hard is it to
> do that?

If you mean it rattles, there's a loose part inside the door. If
you mean air noise, the weather stips are failed/failing. Should
be easy to see.

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mc - 21 Jul 2006 15:16 GMT

>> The front passenger-side window always sounds as if it's not quite
>> closed; it's actually a little quieter if I back off 1/8 inch from
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> If you mean it rattles, there's a loose part inside the door. If you mean
> air noise, the weather stips are failed/failing. Should be easy to see.

It's air noise. Thanks.

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Daryl Bryant - 22 Jul 2006 08:38 GMT

do you have after market tinted window - because if you do they remove the
window brush so that the tint on the windows doesn't scratch
Also as the other poster said is perhaps the weather stripping is cracking
i.e. would cause you to hear air leak sounds. you can replace with factory
weather stripping or after market weather stripping. The OEM will last
longer and is less troublesome to install!!

Signature

There are no words that can be heard unless someone listens....

> >
> >> The front passenger-side window always sounds as if it's not quite
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> It's air noise. Thanks.

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Don Byrer - 22 Jul 2006 21:57 GMT

>The front passenger-side window always sounds as if it's not quite closed;
>it's actually a little quieter if I back off 1/8 inch from maximum closed
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>enough (though it latches firmly). Or should the weatherstripping be
>replaced? How hard is it to do that?

I had the same exact problem on a 99 taurus (same body style). On a
highway trip, I'd put the window up & tap the down button to quiet it.
And it never was 100% quiet, either...

My first thought was the door striker as the door appeared to not
close fully at the pillar when you looked at it in the mirror....I
believe I found the striker to be unadjustable.

About a year ago, someone tried to break into the car by prying off
the window trim/channel. Must have been kids or crackheads...a pro
would know better! They did just enough damage that I had to replace
the window trim/channels on the front right and rear left.

The factory replacement for this is now an improved one-piece design
which incorporates the window exterior trim, channel and felt in one
piece. I don't think I had to remove the glass, just loosen & tilt
(rotate) it to replace the channel. Of course, I did have to remove
the door panel and the interior door trim. Took a couple of
hours-ish. The left rear door was the toughie...tight quarters.

Maybe $60-80 per door(?)... way less than my $500 deductible

ANYHOW...since replacing it the window is dead quiet! So quiet I'm
noticing a very small amount of noise from the driver's side that
wasn't noticeable before...Turns out driver's door wxstrip has a few
worn spots I hadnt noticed before. Not bad for a 7 year old car with
77K tho!

Best of luck!

--Don

Don Byrer
Radar Tech & Smilin' Commercial Pilot Guy
Amateur Radio KJ5KB
kj5kb-at-hotmail.com

"I have slipped the surly bonds of earth; now if I can just land without bending the gear..."
"Watch out for those doves...<smack-smack-smack-smack...>"

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mc - 23 Jul 2006 05:05 GMT

> The factory replacement for this is now an improved one-piece design
> which incorporates the window exterior trim, channel and felt in one
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> worn spots I hadnt noticed before. Not bad for a 7 year old car with
> 77K tho!

Many thanks! I may try beefing up the existing weatherstripping by putting
a bit of thin rubber tubing or something behind it. If that doesn't work,
I'll ask my mechanic about doing the job you describe. (I don't usually do
time-consuming jobs myself.)

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