IS300h - Creaking coming from windows?

Luke1986 · August 22, 2020

Hi there, first time poster.

I've had my 65 reg IS300h for just over 2 years, its done 75k miles (24k of those done by me) and it seems to have developed this creaking noise. It seems to either be coming from the drivers door window or the passenger door window behind and happens when you first press the throttle or brake, its also far more prominent at lower speeds. It really does sound like a creaking floor board and its literally right by my right ear! If I lower both the windows it goes away and I swear it only started doing it during the really hot weather we've been having, so my guess is that as the car flexes the glass is moving around inside the rubber surrounds and causing the creaking noise.

Any advice on how I might go about trying to sort it?

Cheers.

wharfhouse · August 22, 2020

2 hours ago, Luke1986 said:

Hi there, first time poster.

I've had my 65 reg IS300h for just over 2 years, its done 75k miles (24k of those done by me) and it seems to have developed this creaking noise. It seems to either be coming from the drivers door window or the passenger door window behind and happens when you first press the throttle or brake, its also far more prominent at lower speeds. It really does sound like a creaking floor board and its literally right by my right ear! If I lower both the windows it goes away and I swear it only started doing it during the really hot weather we've been having, so my guess is that as the car flexes the glass is moving around inside the rubber surrounds and causing the creaking noise.

Any advice on how I might go about trying to sort it?

Cheers.

A common problem with a lot of cars is the door rubbers start to make a sort of creaking noise as the car flexes just as you describe. Clean all the door rubbers thoroughly with water and allow to dry then treat them all with Gummi Pflege - something like this SONAX 03400000 Rubber Care https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002MZZNU8/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_nmtqFb2G0K6CS

Also worth cleaning the window glass where it pushes up into the rubbers at the top of the door but chances are the above will solve it. I find I have to do my every six to twelve months to keep it all nice and quiet.

Inazone · August 22, 2020

Yep as above, dirty door rubbers. I always clean the inside of the doors when I wash my car this includes the door rubbers. Keeps the car doors shutting with a nice sound plus reduces external sound from getting in. Add it to your cleaning schedule.... [emoji6]

Sent from my G8142 using Tapatalk

Thackeray · August 23, 2020

19 hours ago, Luke1986 said:

I swear it only started doing it during the really hot weather we've been having

Same here. On mine the creaking starts when the weather gets warmer and stops when it's colder.

A couple of years ago I saw a thread on this topic and meant to try the products recommended for the door seals. But I found that just washing them with water solved the problem, so I've never got around to trying a specialist cleaning product. It may be that the problem goes away for longer if you use one of these products.

wharfhouse · August 23, 2020

21 minutes ago, Thackeray said:

Same here. On mine the creaking starts when the weather gets warmer and stops when it's colder.

A couple of years ago I saw a thread on this topic and meant to try the products recommended for the door seals. But I found that just washing them with water solved the problem, so I've never got around to trying a specialist cleaning product. It may be that the problem goes away for longer if you use one of these products.

The products like I linked to above help recondition the rubber seals and leave them slightly more slippery so that they slide when the car flexes rather than stick which is what makes the creaking noise. I found out about this some 20+ years ago on BMWs which were very prone to it and have applied the products on all my cars since with good results.

Inazone · August 23, 2020

The products like I linked to above help recondition the rubber seals and leave them slightly more slippery so that they slide when the car flexes rather than stick which is what makes the creaking noise. I found out about this some 20+ years ago on BMWs which were very prone to it and have applied the products on all my cars since with good results.

Just ordered some, as I think this may resolve my creaking issue on my Supra... [emoji6] [emoji1303]

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ColinBarber · August 23, 2020

you also get the added benefit of being able to open your doors in the winter rather than being frozen shut 🙂

wharfhouse · August 23, 2020

3 hours ago, ColinBarber said:

you also get the added benefit of being able to open your doors in the winter rather than being frozen shut 🙂

Never thought of that - but now you mention never had doors stuck in winter since using Gummi Pflege

Luke1986 · August 24, 2020

On 8/22/2020 at 4:04 PM, wharfhouse said:

A common problem with a lot of cars is the door rubbers start to make a sort of creaking noise as the car flexes just as you describe. Clean all the door rubbers thoroughly with water and allow to dry then treat them all with Gummi Pflege - something like this SONAX 03400000 Rubber Care https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002MZZNU8/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_nmtqFb2G0K6CS

Also worth cleaning the window glass where it pushes up into the rubbers at the top of the door but chances are the above will solve it. I find I have to do my every six to twelve months to keep it all nice and quiet.

I've ordered that and will give it a go, cheers!

Mincey · August 25, 2020

I was very interested to read this thread. My IS300h is certainly far, far creakier than my IS250 so I have just ordered some of the Sonax stuff to see if that quietens things down.

matt8 · August 25, 2020

I've got this, but a Nextzett brand.

I am now seeing Sonax. What's the difference, if any?

wharfhouse · August 25, 2020

4 minutes ago, matt8 said:

I've got this, but a Nextzett brand.

I am now seeing Sonax. What's the difference, if any?

Same type of stuff - just different make - the first type I had was the BMW own brand many years back when I first learnt about this. The amazon link I posted was just the last one I bought.

PRT68 · August 25, 2020

I also use this stuff, particularly on the rubbers on my RC, as the frameless windows retract when opening the doors. Also use it on all the other rubbers, boot and bonnet, in case they freeze in the winter. Apply every 3 months to keep them supple.

Spacewagon52 · August 25, 2020

Autoglym Plastic and Rubber cleaner does a similar job. Really softens the rubber.

Thackeray · August 26, 2020

On 8/22/2020 at 4:04 PM, wharfhouse said:

A common problem with a lot of cars is the door rubbers start to make a sort of creaking noise as the car flexes just as you describe. Clean all the door rubbers thoroughly with water and allow to dry then treat them all with Gummi Pflege - something like this SONAX 03400000 Rubber Care https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002MZZNU8/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_nmtqFb2G0K6CS

I was just about to order some of this when I came across a review that says it damaged paintwork. Scroll down the list of reviews till you get to a review in German. The Google translation of this review says:

Quote

A few days after I treated the door seals of my VW Passat with this remedy, I found that it left traces on the paint on the doors where the seals are located (see photos). When trying to remove these traces with a damp cloth, I had to notice with great horror that the paint has dissolved in these places (see pictures) - Unbelievable!!

Presumably, the silicone oil contained in this remedy attacked the varnish and caused this damage - really incredible!! Now I can go to the painter to fix the damage.

Therefore, my recommendation: Just don't buy! Unless you want to permanently damage your paint.

Has anyone else had this experience? Or is there a way to use it and be sure it won't cause damage to the paintwork?

The-Acre · August 26, 2020

Every LS430 I've had has had creaky windows until I generously applied Autoglym plastic and rubber conditioner, I do it every three months or so and it works a treat. I find if I apply it once and leave it for an hour, then a second coat it works best.

Mincey · August 27, 2020

My Sonax GummiPfleger arrived last night from amazon (other online retailers are available of course) so before bedtime, I sneaked out to treat all the door seals.

I've just returned from a test drive and....... I now have a Lexus! What a difference. All the squeaks have gone. It's infinitely better than it was and other than banging over potholes and badly filled areas of road, it's practically silent in there. Thanks to @wharfhouse for the recommendation :-)

wharfhouse · August 27, 2020

7 minutes ago, Mincey said:

My Sonax GummiPfleger arrived last night from Amazon (other online retailers are available of course) so before bedtime, I sneaked out to treat all the door seals.

I've just returned from a test drive and....... I now have a Lexus! What a difference. All the squeaks have gone. It's infinitely better than it was and other than banging over potholes and badly filled areas of road, it's practically silent in there. Thanks to @wharfhouse for the recommendation 🙂

I find after treatment the noise decreases even further after a few days as the liquid has a chance to fully penetrate - also worth treating again in a month or two if you have never done it before. It always surprises me just how much noise the rubbers can make...!

wharfhouse · August 27, 2020

16 hours ago, Thackeray said:

I was just about to order some of this when I came across a review that says it damaged paintwork. Scroll down the list of reviews till you get to a review in German. The Google translation of this review says:

Has anyone else had this experience? Or is there a way to use it and be sure it won't cause damage to the paintwork?

I've used one form or another of GummiPfleger for some 15 years now (and the Sonax one for probably the last half of that) on a variety of cars and never a problem - not sure why it was an issue in that particular review... maybe try on a small area first

Mincey · August 27, 2020

22 minutes ago, wharfhouse said:

I find after treatment the noise decreases even further after a few days as the liquid has a chance to fully penetrate - also worth treating again in a month or two if you have never done it before. It always surprises me just how much noise the rubbers can make...!

Will do - I've already set three monthly reminders so I remember to do it regularly, but doing it in another month then starting on the three monthly applications makes sense.

Thackeray · August 27, 2020

4 hours ago, wharfhouse said:

not sure why it was an issue in that particular review... maybe try on a small area first

I wonder if the area affected had been resprayed and the surface wasn't well prepared or the paint wasn't very well applied. If it was original factory paintwork you would expect to see a lot more complaints from other VW owners.

Thanks for the suggestion, though. I'll try a small amount first just to be cautious.

Pink · August 28, 2020

17 hours ago, Mincey said:

My Sonax GummiPfleger arrived last night from Amazon (other online retailers are available of course) so before bedtime, I sneaked out to treat all the door seals.

I've just returned from a test drive and....... I now have a Lexus! What a difference. All the squeaks have gone. It's infinitely better than it was and other than banging over potholes and badly filled areas of road, it's practically silent in there. Thanks to @wharfhouse for the recommendation 🙂

That’s great news. Now it’s all nice and quiet again you’ll be able to hear the creaking coming from the centre console ...... (actually, better forget I said that!!) 😉.

Mincey · August 28, 2020

3 hours ago, Pink said:

That’s great news. Now it’s all nice and quiet again you’ll be able to hear the creaking coming from the centre console ...... (actually, better forget I said that!!) 😉.

Ssssshhhh - let's not tempt fate! 😉