Hello!

I'm having some really annoying issues with my 01 coupe. There are some wierd rattles coming from my driver door.

It started about a year ago if i'm not mistaken, a while after stiffening my engine mounts (of course! hehe)

You must know that my car is now 8 years old, and has 310 000km, so that driver door has been used alot.

There are two problems, the first one happens especially when the car goes foward or reverse, from a stop, or with hard acceleration. When there is a weight transfer effect (front/back) going on, and sometimes when i go over bumps. It makes a sort of distinct "TOC", or a little creaking sound.

The second happens when i'm at idle. Thanks to my stiffened engine mounts, vibrations are transfered quite easily everywhere. My driver door is rattling like a ****.. I can stop the sound by holding the upper window frame against the inside of the car (think about it like trying to hold the top of the door against the car).

Sadly, i never managed to find out what's the issue. Is there something loose in the door, or is the door itself loose and knocks/rattle against the body of the car. I checked and cannot move the door in any anormal way (front to back, up/down; closed or open)

I'm stripping it tomorrow to try and find out, before i go crazy and go medieval on that sob..

Anyone would have an idea or what the problem could be?

Thanks, and sorry for the long post!

 

You're going to need someone with an educated ear and familiarity with auto body work.
Has the car been hit on the left side? Accident ect? Are you getting any wind noises from that door? Was the inner vapor barrier intact, or was it screwed around with.
Popping noises and squeaks are usually indicative of broken welds, rattles are usually indicative of loose components or mis-alignments.

P

 

Sadly i have no background in bodywork :/

It's been into a little accident back in 2006, got hit in the rear. Only the trunk floor (thanks to my trailer hitch...) and rear bumper were damaged, back then i didnt have any noise issues. (after repairs)

The doors were sound deadened about 3 years ago, there is no vapor barrier anymore, it's been replaced by a full coat of dynamat style sheet, with a soundproof material over it.

I do have a very slight windnoise coming from the window-to-inner door trim, since because of the soundproofing, there is a very little gap between the middle of the window and the trim seal.

Also, i have the "door contour" rust issue, but i cant say if it's related...Here's a thread a made about it a while ago;
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-accord-1990-2002-2/planning-keeping-your-6th-gen-accord-long-look-inside-rust-tips-2445560/

Thanks alot P! Your imput is always appreciated!

 

The more I thunk on it, the more I'm thinking door adjustment issues at the latch striker. The door could be sitting in just the right area to allow it to move on the striker and rattle.

When the door is closed, does it sit flush (even) with the adjacent panels?
It should. Honda's don't have fit/finish issues

P

 

By memory, the door isnt perfectly flush with the lower corner of the front fender and rear quarter(well to my standards), but it's really difficult to notice. I'd have to check out tomorrow to make sure since it's really dark now..

I finally found the problem, well at least the rattle issue at idle. After an hour or so of diagnostic, taking apart the sideskirt, front fender, i found it!

This is the culprit: -sorry for the rust it's been trough many salty winters-


Lower door hinge, the vertical/middle peice that allows the door to pivot (middle of hinge assembly). There is a little slack only noticeable when it's closed and i press on the lower corner of the door.

Biggest problem was making sure it was really it; with door open it did not make any sound, and there wasnt any loose since the weight of the door was sitting on it.

Now, is there a way i could temporarely fix it, until i replace them both next spring? Like banging on it with a hammer to close the slight gap? I dont want to endure those noises during winter!!

 

Some manufacturers actually made replacement bushing and pin repair kits for their hinge sets, but NOT Honda. You have to replace the whole thing.

Refer;
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...ry5=DOOR+PANEL

Gaffing a repair to "get thru' will only cause more work when you get back to it.
Heck, Majestic Honda only wants $ 14.00 usd for it !!! (#6 in the illustration)

P