Limited door panel creaking

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

jking05

Active Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2019
Posts
39
Reaction score
48
Location
Gilbert, AZ
Anyone have an answer for the door panel creaking above the handle besides putting a business card in there? Not sure if they would fix it at the dealership or not. Its really annoying when you open the door and it sounds like its broken. When i go around a corner and a passenger has their leg leaning up against it thats all I can hear. I read its just on the limiteds that have that plastic trim but not sure.
 

Squark

Full Access Members
Joined
Jan 8, 2019
Posts
211
Reaction score
157
Location
NC
I took mine to the dealer for this last week. They removed the door panels and added padding (not sure where), which fixed my driver's door but not the passenger's. They told me to see if it worked and bring it back if it didn't, so I'm taking it back tomorrow. They said worst case they'd replace the door panel, but I'm holding out hope they can just silence what's there. Once they resolve it I can post more details on what they did. They didn't give me the paperwork last week since they wanted to see if it worked before checking me out.
 
OP
OP
jking05

jking05

Active Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2019
Posts
39
Reaction score
48
Location
Gilbert, AZ
I took mine to the dealer for this last week. They removed the door panels and added padding (not sure where), which fixed my driver's door but not the passenger's. They told me to see if it worked and bring it back if it didn't, so I'm taking it back tomorrow. They said worst case they'd replace the door panel, but I'm holding out hope they can just silence what's there. Once they resolve it I can post more details on what they did. They didn't give me the paperwork last week since they wanted to see if it worked before checking me out.

Any update on this? Drives me nuts when I open the door. Sounds like a cheap Ford Taurus back in the day.
 

Squark

Full Access Members
Joined
Jan 8, 2019
Posts
211
Reaction score
157
Location
NC
The dealer was able to fix mine. The receipt says, "Found loose trim panel on driver door near window switch. Installed stiff foam behind trim panel on door." Since that fixed the driver's door, they did the same thing on the passenger side. My sanity has been restored. My dealer has a dirt road behind them where they said they are able to reproduce rattles. I fully expected them to write me off, so I'm thrilled they took the time to find and fix it.
 

Bow512

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Posts
158
Reaction score
83
Location
TX
Don't overthink it! Its the handle portion rubbing on the plastic "wood". I simply folded up a little bit of electrical tape on itself and stuck it down in between those pieces and no noise since. Took all of 5 seconds. It just needs something separating it just enough so they aren't rubbing together

Surprisingly a little square of folded electrical tape can fix a ton of squeaks and rattles. Especially when its plastic rubbing on plastic. Just make sure you don't have any of the adhesive showing after you fold it or it could be a slimy mess in the future.
 

pw1981

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2011
Posts
66
Reaction score
22
Location
Tampa Bay FL
I wanted to bring this topic back up because I’m at wits end. Both the front door panels on my Limited creak and squeak if even so much as the lightest pressure is applied to them. If you rest a leg against them while driving, they never stop making noise.

I’ve tried pushing electrical tape into the crevasse, I’ve tried wedging a business card in there, nothing helps. It’s very clearly the plastic faux wood panel rubbing up against the surrounding materials.

Been to two dealers. One calls it normal wear. The second said to avoid letting anything rest on the door panel so the noise isn’t as noticeable.

I have no other significant complaints about my Expedition. But this is driving me crazy. I cannot enjoy driving my vehicle with the constant squeaking. To the point that I am about to trade it in.

Has anyone found an actual fix for this?
 

BMW2FORD

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 18, 2021
Posts
244
Reaction score
238
Location
CT
I fixed this by removing the door panels and then unbolting the arm rest from the rear of the panel and adding felt tape between the armrest and door panel. There's about 20 5.5mm socket size small black screws that secure the armrest to the panel. Check Amazon or Google and search for Tesa 51608 fiber cloth tape like the below which works great for rattles between panels.

1640988217347.png
 

pw1981

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2011
Posts
66
Reaction score
22
Location
Tampa Bay FL
I fixed this by removing the door panels and then unbolting the arm rest from the rear of the panel and adding felt tape between the armrest and door panel. There's about 20 5.5mm socket size small black screws that secure the armrest to the panel. Check Amazon or Google and search for Tesa 51608 fiber cloth tape like the below which works great for rattles between panels.

Thanks for the tip! Amazon will be bringing me a roll of that tape on Tuesday. We’ll see how it goes.

I had a 2020 rental Limited as a loaner for a couple weeks and it didn’t do it. If this doesn’t work, I may start searching used auto parts sites for door panels…
 

pw1981

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2011
Posts
66
Reaction score
22
Location
Tampa Bay FL
I fixed this by removing the door panels and then unbolting the arm rest from the rear of the panel and adding felt tape between the armrest and door panel. There's about 20 5.5mm socket size small black screws that secure the armrest to the panel. Check Amazon or Google and search for Tesa 51608 fiber cloth tape like the below which works great for rattles between panels.
Well @BMW2FORD I got the tape in and took the doors apart yeserday. Once apart, I was able to easily identify the rub and creaking points. I applied a layer of tape everywhere. I also wrapped up a couple of the posts where the trim slipped over it before getting screwed down. I even put it in places I didn't think were creaking just in case. As I disassembled, I also determined that a lot of the little bolts weren't really tight in the first place, which likely contributed. But once reassembled and tight, the panels now make almost no noise. I can rest my leg against the door while driving and not contemplate driving the truck off a cliff, so I consider this a success!
 

BMW2FORD

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 18, 2021
Posts
244
Reaction score
238
Location
CT
Glad it worked. I wish I took pictures when I did this repair but didn’t think too much about it and thought I was the only one. That felt tape is awesome, I always keep a few roles and add some here and there when I have something apart. European cars use it to wrap wiring harnesses.
 

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
53,391
Posts
500,598
Members
46,798
Latest member
geovanni
Top