• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


Interior creaks and rattles

Messages
369
Reactions
220
Points
37
Location
Airizona
#1
The biggest interior creak that annoys me is one that seems to be coming from the rear drivers door. If I push lightly on the door panel I can hear what sounds like something stuck releasing each time (somethings sticky) and this is the noise I hear when on a non-smooth road, so pretty much all roads here, and it's really annoying. Anyone have any thoughts on what it could be and how to correct it?
 

Messages
133
Reactions
106
Points
37
Location
Lehigh Valley, PA
#2
The biggest interior creak that annoys me is one that seems to be coming from the rear drivers door. If I push lightly on the door panel I can hear what sounds like something stuck releasing each time (somethings sticky) and this is the noise I hear when on a non-smooth road, so pretty much all roads here, and it's really annoying. Anyone have any thoughts on what it could be and how to correct it?
I recall a post from [mention]UNBROKEN [/mention]stating that there are some speaker cables that ever so slightly tap tap tap against the door panel causing an annoying “rattle” sound. He even took some pics of how he solved for it with some wrapping/deadening material. I’d link to it but I can’t at the moment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

OP
boosted_st
Messages
369
Reactions
220
Points
37
Location
Airizona
Thread Starter #3
I recall a post from [mention]UNBROKEN [/mention]stating that there are some speaker cables that ever so slightly tap tap tap against the door panel causing an annoying “rattle” sound. He even took some pics of how he solved for it with some wrapping/deadening material. I’d link to it but I can’t at the moment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I think I remember reading that, I didn't even think about that. I'll check out his info on that again. Thanks for remembering about that!
 

Messages
40
Reactions
17
Points
2
Location
Fargo, ND
#4
The biggest interior creak that annoys me is one that seems to be coming from the rear drivers door. If I push lightly on the door panel I can hear what sounds like something stuck releasing each time (somethings sticky) and this is the noise I hear when on a non-smooth road, so pretty much all roads here, and it's really annoying. Anyone have any thoughts on what it could be and how to correct it?
Did you ever figure out what this was? I just got my new Explorer ST and I have the exact same thing in both rear doors. It sounds like adhesive that pulls apart. It seems worse when it is really hot out and is really annoying.
 

Messages
31
Reactions
13
Points
2
Location
Lubbock, TX, USA
#5
Same issue here. I've looked for the original post, but can't seem to find it.
 

Messages
40
Reactions
17
Points
2
Location
Fargo, ND
#6
Same issue here. I've looked for the original post, but can't seem to find it.
Me either, but I don't think it is a loose cable for me. I hear the noise even when the vehicle isn't moving in both rear doors. The front doors are just fine.
 

hbalek

Active Member
Messages
950
Reactions
530
Points
232
Location
Kensington, MD, USA
#7
Me either, but I don't think it is a loose cable for me. I hear the noise even when the vehicle isn't moving in both rear doors. The front doors are just fine.
I had the same issue last summer when it was hot but this summer it's not as noticeable. I had similiar noises coming from inside the dashboard, like paper being crumbled. I think whatever it was it has settled since the vehicle is almost 2 years old now. The driver seat noise is really annoying! This vehicle has so many squeaks, creaks and rattles. Many are intermittent and get worse or better at different times. I had a hunch recently that the noise in the doors was from the sunshades, which I don't ever use.
 

Messages
40
Reactions
17
Points
2
Location
Fargo, ND
#8
I had the same issue last summer when it was hot but this summer it's not as noticeable. I had similiar noises coming from inside the dashboard, like paper being crumbled. I think whatever it was it has settled since the vehicle is almost 2 years old now. The driver seat noise is really annoying! This vehicle has so many squeaks, creaks and rattles. Many are intermittent and get worse or better at different times. I had a hunch recently that the noise in the doors was from the sunshades, which I don't ever use.
Thanks for the info, that gives me hope the noises will go away, but I am not sure how much longer I can listen to what sounds like a clicking noise in a brand new vehicle. I would take it back to the dealer to get it looked at, but that is 3 hours away. I am thinking about taking one of the rear door panels off to see if I can figure out what is going on.
 

OP
boosted_st
Messages
369
Reactions
220
Points
37
Location
Airizona
Thread Starter #9
Did you ever figure out what this was? I just got my new Explorer ST and I have the exact same thing in both rear doors. It sounds like adhesive that pulls apart. It seems worse when it is really hot out and is really annoying.
Nope, haven't figured it out yet, and both rear doors are making noise as I drive now. It sounds like when adhesive letting loose (best way I can think to describe it). It's really annoying.
 

Messages
40
Reactions
17
Points
2
Location
Fargo, ND
#10
Nope, haven't figured it out yet, and both rear doors are making noise as I drive now. It sounds like when adhesive letting loose (best way I can think to describe it). It's really annoying.
Thanks. I agree, it sounds like adhesive letting loose in there, especially when I push on the inside of the door right below the window. Seems like a poor design to me if adhesive was used instead of screws.
 

Messages
97
Reactions
47
Points
17
Location
WI
#11
Thanks. I agree, it sounds like adhesive letting loose in there, especially when I push on the inside of the door right below the window. Seems like a poor design to me if adhesive was used instead of screws.
I always assumed it was the window screen/shade, as mine only does it after it had been baking in the sun and then cools down after running with the AC on.
 

Messages
40
Reactions
17
Points
2
Location
Fargo, ND
#12
I always assumed it was the window screen/shade, as mine only does it after it had been baking in the sun and then cools down after running with the AC on.
That could very well be, where the rolled up sunshade is stored is exactly where the noise comes from.
 

Messages
358
Reactions
194
Points
37
Location
Ashburn, VA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#13
Bringing mine in Monday (8/30) for the sunshade / door rattle / 'sticky' sounds from LH passenger door. RH passenger door is fine, which is good.. Also getting the 'loose' driver seat fixed (well, hoping it gets fixed per the TSB...).
 

Messages
40
Reactions
17
Points
2
Location
Fargo, ND
#14
Bringing mine in Monday (8/30) for the sunshade / door rattle / 'sticky' sounds from LH passenger door. RH passenger door is fine, which is good.. Also getting the 'loose' driver seat fixed (well, hoping it gets fixed per the TSB...).
Good deal, please let us know if they are actually able to fix it.
 

Messages
40
Reactions
17
Points
2
Location
Fargo, ND
#15
I followed a video I found on YouTube this past weekend to take my rear door panels apart. I was surprised, the "adhesive" noise wasn't in the panel itself at all. What I found is there's a plastic/rubber piece circled in yellow in my pictures that was making the noise when it rubbed on the metal. The piece lifts right out. I took some foam weather-stripping I had sitting around from the hardware store and stuck it in between that piece and the metal. That took care of the one door. The other door was still making some noise after this, so I put another piece off foam on top of that black piece, then put the panel back on. I think when the panel rubs on that black piece, it can also make noise, the foam in-between the two seems to help. It's early yet, but so far so good.
IMG_20210828_094517238-2.jpg IMG_20210828_094529577-2.jpg IMG_20210828_095608306.jpg IMG_20210828_095801652.jpg IMG_20210828_100139854.jpg
 

Messages
358
Reactions
194
Points
37
Location
Ashburn, VA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#16
I followed a video I found on YouTube this past weekend to take my rear door panels apart. I was surprised, the "adhesive" noise wasn't in the panel itself at all. What I found is there's a plastic/rubber piece circled in yellow in my pictures that was making the noise when it rubbed on the metal. The piece lifts right out. I took some foam weather-stripping I had sitting around from the hardware store and stuck it in between that piece and the metal. That took care of the one door. The other door was still making some noise after this, so I put another piece off foam on top of that black piece, then put the panel back on. I think when the panel rubs on that black piece, it can also make noise, the foam in-between the two seems to help. It's early yet, but so far so good.
View attachment 7540 View attachment 7541 View attachment 7542 View attachment 7543 View attachment 7544
Nice. Do you mind haring a link to the video if you get time? Mine's in the shop to be addressed, but I suspect the dealer won't be able to (try to) resolve it.
 

Messages
40
Reactions
17
Points
2
Location
Fargo, ND
#17
Nice. Do you mind haring a link to the video if you get time? Mine's in the shop to be addressed, but I suspect the dealer won't be able to (try to) resolve it.
The link is below. I agree, the dealership is usually not the best at solving these types of issues.
 

Messages
358
Reactions
194
Points
37
Location
Ashburn, VA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#18
The link is below. I agree, the dealership is usually not the best at solving these types of issues.
Thank you very much!
 

OP
boosted_st
Messages
369
Reactions
220
Points
37
Location
Airizona
Thread Starter #19
The link is below. I agree, the dealership is usually not the best at solving these types of issues.
They really aren't! I think I'll pick up some self adhesive fabric or something along those lines to do the same. I've been meaning to dive into it more just haven't had the time.
 

Messages
39
Reactions
37
Points
12
Location
Chattanooga, TN, USA
#20
They really aren't! I think I'll pick up some self adhesive fabric or something along those lines to do the same. I've been meaning to dive into it more just haven't had the time.
Go ahead and go big and get a sheet of dynamat/stinger roadkill or whatever. Do portions of the sheet metal and prevent a lot of obnoxious racket.
 



Top