2003 Expy Wind/flapping noise ????
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From: Las Vegas USA
2003 Expy Wind/flapping noise ????
Hi all....We love our Expy, but we still have an unresolved, and VERY irritating problem. At highway speeds (65+ mph), there is a "flapping" type of noise that *appears* to be coming from the lower door or wheel well area. After investigating this area, the wheel well covers appear loose. However, after taking a look at other Expy's, they are ALL this way.
I have had our Expy in twice and both times they have been unable to fix the problem. The last time (yesterday), they tried to use ziplock tie downs to more firmly affix these wheel well covers. No dice.
The dealership has run an OASIS and nothing comes up for this type of problem.
Anybody else ever heard of this? I might be wrong with respect to the wheel well covers, but that seems to be the general area that it is coming from, unless it could be something in the doors.
Very frustrating.
Thanks in advance!!
P.S. After hearing the symptons of the windshield problem, I am positive that is not it in my case.
I have had our Expy in twice and both times they have been unable to fix the problem. The last time (yesterday), they tried to use ziplock tie downs to more firmly affix these wheel well covers. No dice.
The dealership has run an OASIS and nothing comes up for this type of problem.
Anybody else ever heard of this? I might be wrong with respect to the wheel well covers, but that seems to be the general area that it is coming from, unless it could be something in the doors.
Very frustrating.
Thanks in advance!!
P.S. After hearing the symptons of the windshield problem, I am positive that is not it in my case.
Last edited by GMCVegas; Jul 10, 2003 at 07:18 PM.
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
2003 Expy Wind/flapping noise ????
Have you got a bug deflector on the hood? Or ventshades on the side windows? You'll think I'm crazy, but I've seen these accessories make all sorts of noises, and they sound like they come from areas other than where you've installed them. Just a thought.
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2003 Expy Wind/flapping noise ????
I think it's the plastic cladding on either the lower door or the small peice on the fender that does this. I get the same thing too but I don't feel like opening up my door panel to see how they are affixed. 
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From: Las Vegas USA
2003 Expy Wind/flapping noise ????
Originally posted by 1956MarkII
Have you got a bug deflector on the hood? Or ventshades on the side windows? You'll think I'm crazy, but I've seen these accessories make all sorts of noises, and they sound like they come from areas other than where you've installed them. Just a thought.
Have you got a bug deflector on the hood? Or ventshades on the side windows? You'll think I'm crazy, but I've seen these accessories make all sorts of noises, and they sound like they come from areas other than where you've installed them. Just a thought.
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From: Las Vegas USA
2003 Expy Wind/flapping noise ????
Originally posted by TOULONHESS
I think it's the plastic cladding on either the lower door or the small peice on the fender that does this. I get the same thing too but I don't feel like opening up my door panel to see how they are affixed.
I think it's the plastic cladding on either the lower door or the small peice on the fender that does this. I get the same thing too but I don't feel like opening up my door panel to see how they are affixed.
Do you get the noise on both sides of your Expy????? I have inspected the cladding and you can wiggle it back and forth quite easy. Have you heard of any fix for this?
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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2003 Expy Wind/flapping noise ????
Both sides and same noise. I noticed the same thing about the cladding. I'm not ready to take door panels off until I replace the mirrors with the signal ones so it'll have to wait. The heat down here in South Texas will make it worse over time. I'm sure there is a fix.
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2003 Expy Wind/flapping noise ????
I've got the same problem. Annoying enough after 6k that I'm beginning to hate the truck.
Along with the sucky mileage (yes, geting 14.5.-15.5 mpg is sucky), bad airconditioning, groaning in the front end and harsh ride.
Along with the sucky mileage (yes, geting 14.5.-15.5 mpg is sucky), bad airconditioning, groaning in the front end and harsh ride.
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2003 Expy Wind/flapping noise ????
03 Expedition FX4 5.4. I have just reviewed the posts relating to noise coming from the area of the front doors.
If you will note, by putting your fingers on the lower edge of the molding, or cladding, and strumming it, it flutters. This is the source of the tinny sound you get when you close the door. It is also the source of the aerodynamic flutter you hear, starting at 60-70 mph.
This problem was just confirmed by the service advisor (03 owner also) for my local Ford dealer, who corroborated my theory. He says he is waiting for Ford to come with a fix before doing anything about it.
He says that dealership will put two-way tape on the cladding but, as I feared, he as well, the danger of retained water adds another potential problem.
If you will note, by putting your fingers on the lower edge of the molding, or cladding, and strumming it, it flutters. This is the source of the tinny sound you get when you close the door. It is also the source of the aerodynamic flutter you hear, starting at 60-70 mph.
This problem was just confirmed by the service advisor (03 owner also) for my local Ford dealer, who corroborated my theory. He says he is waiting for Ford to come with a fix before doing anything about it.
He says that dealership will put two-way tape on the cladding but, as I feared, he as well, the danger of retained water adds another potential problem.
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From: Las Vegas USA
2003 Expy Wind/flapping noise ????
Originally posted by greyno
03 Expedition FX4 5.4. I have just reviewed the posts relating to noise coming from the area of the front doors.
If you will note, by putting your fingers on the lower edge of the molding, or cladding, and strumming it, it flutters. This is the source of the tinny sound you get when you close the door. It is also the source of the aerodynamic flutter you hear, starting at 60-70 mph.
This problem was just confirmed by the service advisor (03 owner also) for my local Ford dealer, who corroborated my theory. He says he is waiting for Ford to come with a fix before doing anything about it.
He says that dealership will put two-way tape on the cladding but, as I feared, he as well, the danger of retained water adds another potential problem.
03 Expedition FX4 5.4. I have just reviewed the posts relating to noise coming from the area of the front doors.
If you will note, by putting your fingers on the lower edge of the molding, or cladding, and strumming it, it flutters. This is the source of the tinny sound you get when you close the door. It is also the source of the aerodynamic flutter you hear, starting at 60-70 mph.
This problem was just confirmed by the service advisor (03 owner also) for my local Ford dealer, who corroborated my theory. He says he is waiting for Ford to come with a fix before doing anything about it.
He says that dealership will put two-way tape on the cladding but, as I feared, he as well, the danger of retained water adds another potential problem.
Thanks for the response. I took our 2003 Expy to the dealership on an unrelated matter and brought this up. They said they could put a black bead along the bottom of this...Doesn't sound feasible to me, as the spacing between this is rather large (as you mention by being able to stick your fingers between it).
My wife and I are about to go on a road trip and we are already dreading the anticipated wind noise, as it is VERY loud and annoying. I keep asking my service advisor, and he states he has never heard of the problem yet.
If anybody else does hear of a fix, please post it here. I know there has to be more than a handful of us who have this very annoying problem.
Thanks!
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2003 Expy Wind/flapping noise ????
I share your concerns. I have thought about putting a strip of foam weather stripping along the lower edge of the cladding; just thick enough to keeping the lower edge from flapping against the metal surface. That could be a temporary fix.
I've been on a long trip and it annoys me...but I find I tune it out.....however, what annoys me more is that there is denial at the dealer level, and more importantly, an obvious quality control issue that got by Ford...or was ignored.
Addendum: another problem related to the cladding. I was on a rough road in Colorado, a few days after buying the vehicle, and the noise was so bad I thought something was loose on the vehicle....had to stop...I't a terrible thing to have on a SUV of this type and overall utility!
I've been on a long trip and it annoys me...but I find I tune it out.....however, what annoys me more is that there is denial at the dealer level, and more importantly, an obvious quality control issue that got by Ford...or was ignored.
Addendum: another problem related to the cladding. I was on a rough road in Colorado, a few days after buying the vehicle, and the noise was so bad I thought something was loose on the vehicle....had to stop...I't a terrible thing to have on a SUV of this type and overall utility!
Last edited by greyno; Aug 5, 2003 at 03:41 PM.
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From: Lawton, Oklahoma
2003 Expy Wind/flapping noise ????
I recently noticed this on an 03 Expy I was working on in the shop. I recommended the body shop look at it untill Ford sends out a service message on it.
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I bet foam weatherstripping would fix this problem if you put it at the bottom of the cladding. Just pull the bottom away from the sheetmetal and put some of the foam tape between the part of cladding that touches sheetmetal and the sheetmetal.
I don't see how this would affect retaining water. What do you guys think?
I don't see how this would affect retaining water. What do you guys think?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Germantown (Memphis), TN
Mine does it too. As a temp fix on a 600 mile trip (becuase it was driving me nuts), I folded up some small pieces of papertowel and stuffed them between the door and the lower door cladding. The noise went away. I did 3 small pieces on each door.
So, I'd say use some small weather stripping or double sided tape and just use a 1-2" strip in 3 places along the bottomm edge. That will hold the cladding away from the door to stop the rattle and still allow plenty of room for moisture to leave.
FWIW in 1300 miles, we average 16.25 mpg running 70-75 mph in a 5.4L. I didn't think that was too bad - beat the EPA estimate at least
So, I'd say use some small weather stripping or double sided tape and just use a 1-2" strip in 3 places along the bottomm edge. That will hold the cladding away from the door to stop the rattle and still allow plenty of room for moisture to leave.
FWIW in 1300 miles, we average 16.25 mpg running 70-75 mph in a 5.4L. I didn't think that was too bad - beat the EPA estimate at least
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