When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
For awhile now my driver side door makes a popping/cracking sound when I open it.. almost sounds like something sticky separating but it isn’t…It’s kind of painful to hear because it’s about 3 or 4 pops that sounds like something is getting ruined. It’s significantly louder when opened for the first time after sitting for awhile. I cannot pinpoint where it’s coming from and I don’t see what it could be because the door alignment seems fine to my eyes. The roller is working fine on the hinge so I don’t think it’s related to that and the spring seems fine too. What I did notice is that the inside of the door is cracking in the crease. I have no idea what could have caused this. Here are some pics of the door to get an idea of the alignment. In the pic with the red circle you can see the cracking. I have tried white lithium grease and wd40 and neither has fixed it. Any ideas what’s going on here? I have to assume the sound and the cracking have to be related, but what could cause that? I’ve thought about loosening the hinge bolts and repositioning the door but I’m afraid I’ll just make it worse.
If the fiberglass is cracked through, as you seem to show in that red circle, then that is probably where your popping sound is coming from. The fiberglass on each side of the crack moves relative to the other side as stress on the door varies during opening. That causes vibration, and thus the sound. I think to do a good job of fixing this, you will need to remove the door and repair the cracked area. Repair it soon because it will only get worse. If you don't want to do it yourself, just take it to a body shop that is experienced in fiberglass repair.
If the fiberglass is cracked through, as you seem to show in that red circle, then that is probably where your popping sound is coming from. The fiberglass on each side of the crack moves relative to the other side as stress on the door varies during opening. That causes vibration, and thus the sound. I think to do a good job of fixing this, you will need to remove the door and repair the cracked area. Repair it soon because it will only get worse. If you don't want to do it yourself, just take it to a body shop that is experienced in fiberglass repair.
I would imagine that’s where the sound is coming from but I wonder what could have caused that?!
so do you think something like this would be good enough to try on it?
I would imagine that’s where the sound is coming from but I wonder what could have caused that?!
so do you think something like this would be good enough to try on it?
I don't feel qualified to answer that. Obviously, the crack occurred because stress in that area is very high. Therefore, the repair will need to be very strong. It may even involve embedding a strip of thin steel into the bond. I defer to a fiberglass repair specialist.
Last edited by ClothSeats; Sep 26, 2021 at 11:39 AM.
No idea if this is your problem, but here's the problem I had and maybe it will help. ( and I agree with the others definitely fix the crack ASAP).
I had a double pop noise when I closed or opened the door. (I had recently removed and reinstalled the fender)
The problem was that the fender was in the wrong position but only at a single 1/8th inch wide point along the door edge.
There are two reasons I had this problem. One, there is a hidden connection inside the fender near the "vent" where I forgot to reinstall the screw. Two, there is a screw that holds the fender where it curves in under the car. This also influences the fender location in regards to that point.
No idea if this is your problem, but here's the problem I had and maybe it will help. ( and I agree with the others definitely fix the crack ASAP).
I had a double pop noise when I closed or opened the door. (I had recently removed and reinstalled the fender)
The problem was that the fender was in the wrong position but only at a single 1/8th inch wide point along the door edge.
There are two reasons I had this problem. One, there is a hidden connection inside the fender near the "vent" where I forgot to reinstall the screw. Two, there is a screw that holds the fender where it curves in under the car. This also influences the fender location in regards to that point.
Thanks for the info. I’ve already checked fender alignment in relation to the door and nothing is running anywhere, it all clears fine. This damage might have been done before I ever took ownership of the car. I’m not sure if the actual fiberglass is cracked or if it’s just the paint cracking….
I washed the car last night and sprayed water from the nozzle directly into the hinge area and I’ll be damned the popping has stopped, for now at least… I’m puzzled as to what’s going on here
Thanks for the info. I’ve already checked fender alignment in relation to the door and nothing is running anywhere, it all clears fine. This damage might have been done before I ever took ownership of the car. I’m not sure if the actual fiberglass is cracked or if it’s just the paint cracking….
I washed the car last night and sprayed water from the nozzle directly into the hinge area and I’ll be damned the popping has stopped, for now at least… I’m puzzled as to what’s going on here
I recently had a similar problem with my lower driver's side door hinge. I would describe it as a groaning noise. No matter how much I oiled the hinge, the noise persisted. I finally narrowed it down to a bad bushing in the roller that rides against the spring lever. You wouldn't know it by looking at it, though. The roller seemed to be rotating normally, but when I used a crowbar to pry the lever away from the roller, I was able to turn the roller by hand and discovered that it did not turn smoothly. So, at times, the roller would hang up slightly and skid on the spring lever. This created vibration which was transferred into and amplified by the spring to make the audible groaning sound. I replaced the hinge with a new one ($60) and all is well.
I recently had a similar problem with my lower driver's side door hinge. I would describe it as a groaning noise. No matter how much I oiled the hinge, the noise persisted. I finally narrowed it down to a bad bushing in the roller that rides against the spring lever. You wouldn't know it by looking at it, though. The roller seemed to be rotating normally, but when I used a crowbar to pry the lever away from the roller, I was able to turn the roller by hand and discovered that it did not turn smoothly. So, at times, the roller would hang up slightly and skid on the spring lever. This created vibration which was transferred into and amplified by the spring to make the audible groaning sound. I replaced the hinge with a new one ($60) and all is well.
Hmm that’s interesting, and good advice… mine is a higher pitched popping sound like the noise it makes when you step on a sticky floor and lift your shoe. I posted a video above but of course it’s hard to tell over a video
Is the noise coming from the hinge area or the door panel?
Because I've seen the panel make a lot of noise when the clips behind the top of the panel is loose and not hung correctly.
Is the noise coming from the hinge area or the door panel?
Because I've seen the panel make a lot of noise when the clips behind the top of the panel is loose and not hung correctly.
Well the popping happens before I can really even get the door open to see/hear it and pinpoint it. 95% sure it’s coming from around the hinges and I figured it must be because I can spray some lubricant in there and it quietens it down a little for a short time. This doesn’t make much sense but sprayed water directly on the hinges yesterday evening and all day today the door has been quiet 🤷♂️
Well the popping happens before I can really even get the door open to see/hear it and pinpoint it. 95% sure it’s coming from around the hinges and I figured it must be because I can spray some lubricant in there and it quietens it down a little for a short time. This doesn’t make much sense but sprayed water directly on the hinges yesterday evening and all day today the door has been quiet 🤷♂️
Come with me my little jedi knight apprentice and I'll show u the dark side at the bottom of the cliff.
FWIW
If the pop is not generated from panel interferance....my bet would be the hinges.
If your visual inspection is resulting in a null conclusion....bite the bullet, remove the door.
Inspect the hinges off the car and look for door shell cracks.
Good luck and let us know.
PS having an assistant for door removal and install.... + 1
Remove the door and repair the crack as mentioned above, working with fiberglass is easy, just be quick. I repaired my bag extensions a few years ago and they’re still holding strong, this was the first time I worked with fiberglass.
It could very well be the fiberglass cracking. I have a hairline fracture in my door because one day I opened it and it was very windy, caught the door and pretty much threw it open with enough force that I heard the fiberglass stress/crack. It is very slight and hasn't gotten worse in the 10+ years since.
Driver side door cracking/popping - see pics
