[s-cars] Wind noise part 2 - Conclusions

[Fred Munro]

Chris;

The sunroof has to be adjusted so that the leading edge is slightly lower
than the trailing edge. If the leading edge is higher, the sunroof will
whistle. When the roof is closed, the leading edge should be just a bit
lower than the edge of the sunroof opening.

I spent a bit of time working on my drivers door this fall to kill the
noise. After much trial and error I found a methodology that gave good
results.

1. Adjust the hinges so the door fits square in the opening. I had to
rebuild the lower hinge to eliminate slop so the door wouldn't droop when it
came off the striker plate.

2. Set the striker so the trailing edge of the door is flush with the
leading edge of the rear door.

3. Loosen the 4 bolts securing the window carrier and adjust the carrier so
that the window frame fits evenly in the door opening. You can check this
from the inside with the door closed. There should be an even amount of
clearance between the inner edge of the window frame and the trim around the
door opening. If the gap is larger at the back of the frame, you'll have to
raise the back of the window carrier in the door. I had to relieve the slots
in the door a bit to get it high enough. Tighten the front lower bolt on the
window carrier last and slide the aluminium wedge up until it is tight
before tightening that bolt.

4. Take the car for a drive. If the door still whistles, try pulling inward
on the upper rear corner of the window frame (the most likely source of
noise). If this stops the noise, you have to move the upper rear corner in.
If it doesn't, either it is out so far you can't pull it in far enough or it
is in too far and it is holding the door off the seal lower down. If the
door is quiet, try pushing out on the upper rear corner of the window frame.
If a little pressure results in noise, you'll have to move the corner in
further or it will whistle in cold weather when the seals stiffen up.

5. Adjusting the upper corner is a bit tricky. It doesn't take much movement
to stop the noise and it is easy to go too far. Loosen ONLY the lower rear
window carrier bolt. Back off the rear top bolt just a bit - you don't want
the frame to drop at this point but you want it to pivot around the bolt.
Push inwards on the upper rear corner of the window frame. Watch the bottom
bolt - move it out only about 1 mm or so. Tighten it up and take another
test drive. Continue until the noise is gone.

When the door is properly adjusted, the top rear corner of the window frame
will contact the seal first as you close the door.

The upside is I can now field strip my drivers door in the dark :)

HTH

Fred Munro
'94 S4

-----Original Message-----
From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
[mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com]On Behalf Of chris chambers
Sent: February 14, 2006 9:33 AM
To: Scar
Subject: [s-cars] Wind noise part 2 - Conclusions


Gentz,

Here is an update on my quest to kill the wind noise in my car.

First I'll start with a list of potential fixes

1. Remove doorpanel and loosen the 4 bolts that hold the windowframe
and adjust windowframe in/out so that it seals. Pay attention to the
aluminum "shim" on the innner lower bolt, it can be adjusted up and
down
tp help tip the corner of the window frame in and out.

2. adjust the striker in the door jam by loosening the star headed
bolts, and then move the striker in to seal the door better.

3. use a piece of wood on the bottom of the door between the door and
the door frame, press on the upper portion of the door frame to "tweak"
the frame in in an attempt to seal the door. (I'm opposed to this one,
I believe it was necessary with older one piece doors but apply to our
cars)

4. Replace the door seals, they have quite possibly shrunk with age.



What I have discovered through many hours of trial & error and
observations:

1. With my car adjusting the upper window frame didn't improve it much.

2. Adjusting the sriker made HUUGE improvements, I eliminated the wind
noise BUT soon discovered the doors were no longer flush with the body
of the car PLUS when the Driver's side passenger door was opened, the
leading edge of the trim on that door contacted the driver's door edge
and popped off.

3. I am convinced some wind noise is coming from the front of my
sunroof.


So I am now contemplating replacing all the door seals, plus wondering
if the sunroof's seal is replacable? Has anyone replaced any of these
seals?

Any concept on the cost of these seals?



Regards
Chris




Make April 15th just another day http://www.fairtax.org


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