2003 xlt with no running boards, i hear a rattling noise while driving on the interstate from the driver side front door. Is this the door seal and latch thing i have read about or is it the grey plastic trim panels loose? any ideas? thanks again for help in advance.

By the way when i bought my expy, i was walking around and i did hear the service manager telling a tech to tap the panels on another expedition to see if they rattle and if they do to replace them all on that side. So this might be a common problem?

 

I got mine fix after three times. They replaced all kinds of stuff, door latch, some other stuff inside and the weather strip (last fix). The WS was the main culprit. To check it put some grease around it, close the door and check for noises. After the WS problem was found, they put grease while I waited for the part to arrive. It's a good way to zero n the problem.

 

was your noise comming from the door seal or the window seal because my window squeks when you hit bumps maybe its not the window

 

this thread worked for me and many others if this is the actual problem your having.

Click here

 

There are two seals in question here.

If the door is rattling the weather seals may need replacing. If the plastic cladding on the door is rattling (as was/is my problem) the Ford Dealer will order seals to install to correct the rattle from the cladding. The door rattle may still be there if it was the door rattling.

Ford knows of the issue with the door cladding and will install (there were none in the original design) the seals no questions asked.

If the rattle only happens at highway speeds then it is probably the cladding. My cladding only rattles at high speeds and in warm weather (plastic more pliable). Had the problem last summer and it went away this winter. This spring it started again so off to the dealer I went. They had to order the seals and they got them in I just have to make an appointment.

If the rattle happens when the road is rough, then it is probably the door weather seals.

Good Luck,
D

 

I have a 2003 Eddie Bauer Expedition and both of my front doors rattled really bad on rough roads and while driving at highway speeds, there was this ticking/clicking sound that sometimes sounded like a rattle. I check my door cladding and it was tight so it wasn't rattling. I didn't know what to do after that, then I happened to see this Special Service Message on this website that spoke of door rattles on the 2003-04 Expeditions and Navigators. It said that if the rattles WERE NOT coming from the door cladding then the door seals and latches most likely needed to be replaced. After seeing this, I printed it off and took it to my dealer who kept my Expy overnight and replaced the door seals and latches with some newer thicker door seals and tighter holding door latches. When I arrived to pick it up, as soon as I opened the door, I noticed a hugh difference in how quiet it was, and then when shutting it, there was no longer that loud slamming sound, it shut soundly and solid with an assuring thump, not bang. Now even over bumps, my Expedition is quiet and sound, I am thankful I found that Special Service Message when I did. Also, if you're getting the rubbing noise that sounds like it's coming from the door as well, especially when turning in somewhere with a steep incline or delcine, try rubbing silicon along the door seals to stop that noise, works really well. Hope this helps.

 

Hello,

I seem to be having the same noise rattle issues. When I take it into the dealer I would realy like to have some written information for them. Where can I find the TSB number (or bulletin itself) and the Special Service Message that is desribed above??

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

JB

 

Door cladding can rattle at highway speeds. Mine did. I diagnosed it by wadding up duct tape and sticking it in the gap at the lower edge of the cladding. Then I fixed it with weather proof foam rubber adhesive strips. No more rattle.

 

khelms 98

You didn't supply the link to the site where you found the Special Service Message on the door noise problem. My problem is exactly as you describe and it sure would be helpful to have some documentation when I talk to my dealer.

Thanks!

 

I have a 2002 Explorer that had a loose back driver side door that banged around on a bump, ford replaced latch adn then said was normal because the truck was "hollow" I didn't buy it for one minute but after about a million trips to the service department i decided to replace the weather stripping and it fixed my problem.