Sunnyvale Dave

The upper section of the passenger side door panel on my '06 really creaks when going over bumps or as the car body flexes. A trim shop tried to put some foam tape in the dividing line between the top section and lower section. It helped for about a day. Has anyone had success in stopping door panel creak without removing the panel? I emailed the service director where I usually take my Corvette for service, and he seemed to be reluctant to taking the panel of a 12-year-old car for fear of creating additional problems.

I'm pretty much a klutz when it comes to doing this type of work.

Thanks.

cmonkey713

Since you don't really know what is causing the "Creek" you are shooting in the dark as to how to fix it. You can take it to another automotive upholstery shop and ask them to look at it and estimate the cost of the fix. They will most likely need to remove the panel and either replace the attachment pins and/or shim or pad the area where the "Creek" is originating. May cost a little bit but they can most likely find and correct the issue. for very little money.

Vet Interested

jost6453

Mike's LS3

Door creaks can be caused by the plastic fasteners slipping in and out of the retainers that hold the panel to the door. The plastic retainers lose their ability to hold the fasteners and will tend to creak when loose. I had this issue with a creak just above the passenger door arm rest. Every time someone would apply a little pressure on the arm rest the door would creak. So, I removed the paned and tested each retainer and found the one nearest to the arm rest slipping. I replaced it and all is silent. Another cause can be the metal clips that hold the top of the door panel onto the door. A little dielectric grease between the clips can silent them. There is also a wire harness that snaps in the middle of the door. When removing the panel it will unsnap, just make sure you snap it back in because if you don't you will have another rattle. Spraying lubricant aimlessly is not a solution, removing the panel carefully and finding the issue is.

Removing the door panel is easy, look at some online videos. However, before you start buy a few plastic fasteners and retainers before doing so. This way you can replace what is needed and if one breaks because you tried forcing the door panel in you have them. Take you time reinstalling and use a flashlight between the door and panel making sure the fasteners line up properly with the retainers and everything will just snap in nicely.

RobJoy

Sounds like the problem I have. I pulled my door panels to access the mirrors and now I have occasional popping sounds in the door. I believe the fasteners used to hold the panel to the door are the culprit; they are good for only so many removals/reinstalls. If I had planned ahead would have ordered new fasteners first.

Kenny94945

I agree with Mike's LS3 above.
Remove the panel.
Find the true source noting those top metal clips are notorious for causing rattles.
Have spare plastic retainers on hand

Yet, if OP is sure it is the seam on the door panel where the top portion joins the lower side portion,
without removing the panel, I have about some co-member insert welting between the panels.
Maybe that will work?

WD40, silicon spray, grease may work yet I would be hesitant to possibly stain my panels with these lubes.

Remove the panel is my vote.
Good luck.

jost6453

Sunnyvale Dave

The trim guy said he believed the problem was caused by the window in my vert rattling against the weatherstripping. He cleaned and lubricated the weatherstripping. So far so good. I have not been conscientious about lubricating the weatherstripping because I felt using the dielectric grease from a tube was a PITA. It looks like there are products out now that come in an applicator bottle that makes things a lot easier.

jost6453

MannyS