'98 323is window vibration

[gstreich]

I own a '98 323is. I have a rattle/vibration coming from the driver side window when closed. It only happens on rough roads and seems to be temperture related....the colder the more frequent. It's hard to distinguish it's origin....seems like top of door...maybe where the glass meets the frame? Sounds like glass on metal? I've had the dealer look at it twice with no solution? Any other coupe owners notice this annoyance?

Thanks!
Greg

[Wayne 962]

I've got a sound like this, and it's caused by a worn seal on the inside of the door. Metal on glass? From the top or the corner?

-Wayne

[gstreich]

Wayne:

Yes, it seems like the vibration/rattle is coming from the top area of the door or what would be the bottom of the driver's side window. I just can't figure it out...the window is tight when closed but I still hear that annoying vibration. Which seal specifically do your recommend replacing...can it be replaced?...do you have a part number? I need to point my dealer to it since they can't seem to find or fix the rattle/vibration? The dealer did have the door panel off and said they added some padding but that didn't help. Have you had this seal replaced and did it fix the problem?

How hard is it to take the door panel off on these cars and maybe replace the seal on my own?

Thanks for your help!
Greg

[Wayne 962]

Well, my door panel came off in my hand the other day!

It's very easy to remove the door panel. Off the top of my head, there are a bunch of quick-snaps that hold it in place. Also I think that the door handle has one or two screws, but I'd have to check. You should be able to take it off in about 15-20 minutes.

I'd recommend driving the car without the door panel attached. Although your wife/gfriend may look at you funny, I do this all the time to diagnose door rattles. With the door panel off, just about everything is exposed, and you should be able to figure out what is causing the noise...

-Wayne