Annoying rattle part2

[Jmac]

loosen and tighten the 2 M8 spline bolts that holds the door lock to the door, see if the noise changes, ive had a few that needed a piece of rubber between the lock and door, the factory stuff didnt cut it..
Jmac

[GTI_PAPA]

Hey guys,

Think I had a breakthrough tonight. Just through sheer frustration I seem to have found the rattle. I was again messing around with the door, when in a bit of a angry moment, gave the door sill a hit whilst the door was slightly ajar. Wouldn't believe it, but the door rattled.

Did a little more investigating and found the following:
1) With the door between closed and first notch, whenever I knocked door sill, rattle...
2) If I applied slight downward pressure on the door, and again did the same, no noise.
3) With door at any other position (2nd & 3rd notch) no noise whatsoever.

The rattle is coming from the lower hinge. Might it be the spring mechanism or just one of the 3 rollers? Fingers crossed this is it, as it's driving me crazy...

Cheers.

[GTI_PAPA]

Hey guys,

Update re: rattle.
After stuffing around for two afternoons trying to pinpoint exactly where rattle is coming from, I may have solved the problem. It's the spring on the lower hinge that's making the noise. I tried all manner of things to quieten the noise (sprays, degreasers etc), but no luck. I then tried jamming a plastic wedge under the middle section of the spring, a run around the block and all sorted.

I know I couldn't keep that wedge in there permanently, so I tried a bit of gentle persuasion with a very large screw driver, and it seems to have worked. I think this is just a temporary solution, but nonetheless seems to have sorted the noise. If it persists, will then approach dealer.

[Servo]

I'd take it back to the dealer. After what you've gone through you should expect it to be done properly and not temporary. My 2c.

[GTI_PAPA]

Am very hesitant to take it back to dealer. As you may have read, I have had nothing but grief from dealer. Every time it goes in, something gets damaged or things aren't put back together properly. Enough reason to see if I can sort it myself...

Any thoughts as to a penetrating spray/adjustment etc that might permanently sort this problem peoples?

Cheers.

[seangti]

Am very hesitant to take it back to dealer. As you may have read, I have had nothing but grief from dealer. Every time it goes in, something gets damaged or things aren't put back together properly. Enough reason to see if I can sort it myself...

Any thoughts as to a penetrating spray/adjustment etc that might permanently sort this problem peoples?

Cheers.

WD40 perhaps though Jimmy had used some stop-squack on my door hinges, worked an absolute treat.

[noone]

I thought a dry lubricant for doors, etc?

Sounds like you are getting there mate, good luck.

[pixl]

Agreed. Graphite powder FTW!! Stopped many creaks/rattles around my doors.

[Jmac]

HHS Creep oil guys, it wicks into the joint and hinges and is the cats pygamas.
Ill take a pick of the can tomorrow when im back at it, yes a Sunday!!! Im off for Easter so got lots to get through, to top that my Thinkpad screen went south today ARGGGGHHHH!!!. Ah well i know stuff breaks, i spend most of my time fixing broken stuff hehehe
All good
Jmac

[hotcar1600]

This may sound silly but ive seen it on a couple of polos. Check the T30 Torx bolts on the front panel. Seriously the bolts above the headlamps. They come loose and resonate.
Remove it and put a blob of medium loctitie on the bolt and screw it back in tight. Like i say seen a couple now and sounds like inside the door. It transfers from the front panel back.
Try it
Jmac

I had this annoying rattle and it was driving me nuts!! I opened the bonnet and tightened the bolts that Jmac was talking about. I cannot believe that it fixed the probelm just wanted to say thanks as I was going crazy!!

Now this is some annoying rattle in the dash I need taking care of!!

Cheers

[GTI_PAPA]

Hey guys,

Thought I'd update you re: door rattle. As I have mentioned before, I traced the rattle to the lower door hinge. After fudging around with remedies (penetrating sprays, oils, grease, dry lube etc, etc...), I decided to try a physical fix. Went to clark rubber, purchased a strip of 16x16mm high density foam rubber, cut it to size and stuck in in the door jam near the lower hinge (theory behind this is to have it place outward pressure on the lower hinge to prevent excess movement), and hey presto, noise gone!

Have been driving all afternoon with a smile from ear to ear, and sanity slowly returning. After 3 visits to the dealer, dodgy repair work, door trim damage etc, a simple piece of foam sorted it...

[insanekiwi]

and my interior centre console rattle...? dealer had it 3 times, they did try - putting foams and felt liners everywhere... no fix. Worse in colder weather as well. My partner knows that I go mental with rattles. She had 2 name cards that she had in her purse -> stuck them into where plastic meet. Just 2 places. The noises complete gone. Only rattle now in interior (most of the time) is my New South boost gauge.... they refused to replace it.

[nikanasz]

This may sound silly but ive seen it on a couple of polos. Check the T30 Torx bolts on the front panel. Seriously the bolts above the headlamps. They come loose and resonate.
Remove it and put a blob of medium loctitie on the bolt and screw it back in tight. Like i say seen a couple now and sounds like inside the door. It transfers from the front panel back.
Try it
Jmac

my polo was involved in a little collision last month, nothing dramatic, but i did have to change my front bumper. needless to say, after the collision, a rattle has developed on the passenger side. i swear the rattle sounded like it's coming from the door panel or dashboard.

well, last night i tried to find the source of the rattle. two hours later without any luck, then i remembered jmac's post.

the said T30 torx bolt just above the passenger side headlight was loose. tightened the bolts (both sides for good measure) and voila, the rattle is gone.

thanks jmac! you just saved me a trip to the dealer.