Door Panel "Bulges" When Window Is Activated
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 816
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From: Sandy Hook, CT
Door Panel "Bulges" When Window Is Activated
On my '93 F150 XLT--when the driver's side power window is activated, the door panel will bulge out...you can definitely feel it and it seems to be towards the bottom of the door panel. Possibly something loose from the actual inner door frame? FWIW, the window, when kept in the middle position (1/2 open, 1/2 closed) seems to be on a tilt...but never gets hung up and seats properly when closed. Anyone?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
If the window is tilted, then the tracks/felts are a bit worn allowing the window to move around. With the window 1/2 down, if you can wiggle the glass front/back then the felts are worn. Most of that stuff is readily available.
Yes, the door panels do bulge when you open/close the window. Mine does. My best guess is how flimsy the door itself is and when the regulator pushes the window up tight, it flares the inner panel slightly which moves the plastic door panel around. thus when lowering the window just the reverse happens. I tend to NOT put mine up tight, as it tends to make the door panels squeak more when hitting bumps. Just a quick tap brings the tension off the glass, relaxing the door panel and thus not making it squeak.
Love these trucks. But the engineers behind all the plastic mounting needs a swift kick in the head. You can't put plastic over metal and have it NOT squeak. Ugh.
Yes, the door panels do bulge when you open/close the window. Mine does. My best guess is how flimsy the door itself is and when the regulator pushes the window up tight, it flares the inner panel slightly which moves the plastic door panel around. thus when lowering the window just the reverse happens. I tend to NOT put mine up tight, as it tends to make the door panels squeak more when hitting bumps. Just a quick tap brings the tension off the glass, relaxing the door panel and thus not making it squeak.
Love these trucks. But the engineers behind all the plastic mounting needs a swift kick in the head. You can't put plastic over metal and have it NOT squeak. Ugh.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
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From: Roseville, MN
Or it might be more than normal. The driver's door on my '97 crew cab did that, but I think it was mostly at the top of the panel / bottom of the window, and mostly when the window hit the top of its travel. My door turned out to have a broken spot weld in a brace. I drilled it and put a bolt through it which helped a lot. Yours sounds like it's a little different, so it's not likely to be the same brace. But if it's more than normal it could be something similar.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 224
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From: Downriver,Mi
Somewhere in my travels, of life. I ran across a stressed cracked inner door frame. I scabbed in some metal/bracing. Its worth a look to pop your door panel.
But yes, some flexing or bulging is normal.
But yes, some flexing or bulging is normal.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 186
Likes: 4
From: Northern ID, Eastern WA
All 3 of my Broncos with power windows bulged the door. Its a OBS Ford thing. Take the time to make sure your window is in the track and all is moving well.
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