Driver's door - Loose window & not closing properly.

[tony_m]

Hi guys,

I've got a 2008 Heritage. I have just worked out why my drivers door seemed harder to close than any other door - The window glass! I was constantly having to re-open and quite firmly shut my door as it hadn't latched properly. The window seems to have a bit more play in it than my passenger door window. As such, the window is hitting the seal first and causing the door to stop traveling before it shuts properly.

Shutting the door with the window down is a one-finger effort. So easy. I am just worried as obviously something is loose, and it's probably going to get worse. I've also noticed that with the door open, if i run the window up to close it, when it's almost up all the way it pulls in towards the car. Passenger door does not. The rubber seal in the front section of the window (near the side mirror) is flexing quite a lot.

Any ideas?!

Cheers all.

Tony

[Surge]

A similar thing happens to my driver side door as well (also 2008 heritage).

Sometimes there is a funny noise when the window rolls up (if the door is shut).

[zch91]

I am under the impression that people shutting the door via the glass rather than the actual door itself will have effects like this including the window whistling at speed.. Hopefully an east fix for you mate.

[tony_m]

Yeah I hope easily fixed! I've only had it for about 4 weeks!!

It took me a week or so to get used to not having a door frame. Now I always shut it by the actual door - if only to stop getting fingerprints on the glass! Perhaps the previous owner didn't. No noise at speed, there is no air getting in, and no water when I wash it.

I'm hoping I can take off the trim and get inside and tighten up whatever is loose... But want to have a target in mind before going to so much effort!

[mynameisdaniel]

There's soft felt-like pads that guide window out of the door, they can loosen up and make your window wobble. Easy fix if that's the problem (was on mine) but you do need to strip your door to get to them. Give them a clean while you're adjusting them as little bits of dirt get caught in them and will eventually scratch your window/tint.

[tony_m]

Sensational. Cheers Daniel!

Sounds like it could be my problem. If it is these felt pads, and they are loose (sorry for stupid question-) are they easily adjusted? How are they mounted?

I guess I'll find out when I take off the trim though! Might be a couple of days before I tackle it.

Cheers guys.

[RX25SE]

Try adjusting the door glass.

Both my '07 and my '02 needed the door glass adjusted to allow the door to open and close properly.

[mynameisdaniel]

Sensational. Cheers Daniel!

Sounds like it could be my problem. If it is these felt pads, and they are loose (sorry for stupid question-) are they easily adjusted? How are they mounted?

I guess I'll find out when I take off the trim though! Might be a couple of days before I tackle it.

Cheers guys.

Yeah just unbolt them, they have a bit of movement so you move them in a bit and tighten them up. Then yell at anyone who shuts your doors by the window

[tony_m]

Try adjusting the door glass.

Both my '07 and my '02 needed the door glass adjusted to allow the door to open and close properly.

Hi mate did you do this yourself? Congratulations if you did!! If not- Subaru service dept.?



I've just re-assembled the door panel after a frustrating half hour poking round. I have the instructions (from the 5000 page service manual) on door glass adjustment, but without tourqe wrenches and technical know how it's quite chinese to me. Well, Japanese, perhaps! Needless to say, I didn't touch anything relating to the actual mechanism.

I moved forward the 2 guiding felt pads, and this tightened up the looseness in the window, but it still is not closing as well as my other doors. It also still pulls in quite hard when its almost up all the way. It's like it gets to the right height, and then with its last bit of effort it comes in towards the car. Strange... The rubber section near the A-pillar has started to tear inside, near the window's channel due to the constant stretching.

Anyone shed some more light on this?

[seanmau5]

My driver's door and front passenger door does the same thing, requires quite a bit of force to close. Also check the window guides that the glass runs up and down of inside the door. Both of mine were loose so I tightened them but it still does it so I really think I need a glass adjustment.

[RX25SE]

Hi mate did you do this yourself?

Yes I did, but I am a qualified (in a former life) mechanic.

Check to see if the glass rises too high. There are front and rear stops so the front to rear 'tilt' can be adjusted as the glass hits the stops.

[tony_m]

Anyone close to me (Bris, North Lakes area) that's done this before, and could sort it out for me?

Cold carton of beer of choice upon completion!!

[tony_m]

Check to see if the glass rises too high. There are front and rear stops so the front to rear 'tilt' can be adjusted as the glass hits the stops.

Right. Just finished up with this. Result is much better. I think the whole glass still needs to be tilted a couple of mm forwards on the rear edge, but that's quite involved, and beyond my ability.. for now I am happy!

I managed to work out -with a little torch light- the stops. At first I made the glass stop about 1cm too short of the top, but a small adjustment fixed that. I've got a couple of pics for the other guys who were having the same drama.

Stopping the window a fraction below where it was has now eliminated the pull-in, which was stretching the gusset pretty severely. Even though it had started to rip, I am sure it won't get any worse.

This is the bolt for the rear of the glass (drivers side- passenger should be identical). It is in a channel and has about 2cm possible travel. It's behind the plastic and foam covering inside the door panel, and also behind a black rectangular inspection panel.



And the front bolt... I had to cut the plastic lining off, but just siliconed it back where there wasn't any oem black sticky stuff.


Try to have both stoppers at a height that stops the glass at the same time. Otherwise the front/rear will stop quite noticeably before the other end, probably not ideal over time!

Hope this can help someone.

Now off to buy a carton