Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3469
Side panel rattle with side windows
Was asked by a friend to investigate a rattle from the side windows on a 90 CSW.
First point to go to is the felt / glass etc, but even after packing some foam in there.. the rattle was still there.
Further investigation showed that the panel (the aluminium) has some movement at the bottom side. This was felt more when the sliding window frame is pulled out with the tips of the fingers, and the bottom edge of the panel can be pushed inwards with the thumb. Took the trim off, and the angle bracket that bolts the lower edge of the side panel to the tub capping was secure.
I cross checked on my CSW, and the same problem exists albeit not so bad.
On the hardtops, the side panel is reinforced with the vertical member, but this is missing on side panels with sliding windows. And the glass is much heavier!!!
I have a set of spare side panels, and I can see that the side panels are folded around the bottom C channel to do without the spot welds and rivets that were applied to the 200tdi and earlier models.
So my assumption right now is that the weight of the glass, bumps in the roads, pressure when closing doors etc, may have 'unfolded' the panel. But this cannot be confirmed without taking the roof off, as the fold is not visible due to the foam seal.
Anyone has encountered this problem?
I try to make an illustration of the construction of the panel (cross section drawn). The easiest fix I can think of is gluing an aluminum angle section to reinforce the area, hopefully without the need to take off the roof.
Click image to enlarge1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
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albeit not so bad.
