Cracking/Popping S13 Roof/Doors

[Nick_04K]

Do the rest of your s13's squeak/crack/pop when you go through driveways and entrances? It seems like mine cracks and pops abnormally.

Will front and rear strut bars help the popping noises caused from the roof flex? Would a harness bar that connects the two rear seat belt locations together help?

Im just sick of thinking my car is going to break in half every time i enter or exit a driveway. And i dont want to waste cash on bars that aren't going to do me any good. The car is just a daily and does not need these bars if they won't help the noise.

[ixfxi]

change your door bushings (brass) and grease the pins

then change your strikers which are old and tired

peace

[jevus]

thrugh it in the gutter and get another.

[Nick_04K]

Good info ixfxi. Might try that.

Anyone else though? I think this is mostly in the roof and not the doors.

92 hatch, base model w/sunroof. The car is well cared for...it honestly has zero rust and everything structurally looks great.

[CrimsonRockett]

That doesn't take away from the fact that it's 19 years old.

How's the suspension? Ever replace the shocks? (if you're riding on stocks that is)

Bushings?

Sunroof weatherstripping tends to flatten out on these. Latch doesn't hold down the sunroof as it should. Try replacing those.

There's a lot of factors. In the end though, it's still a 19 year old car. Can't expect it to be perfect.

[Razi]

So far I have Jonnie Fraz's tension rod powerbrace, and some Cusco strut bars but those didn't help any.
That might be because these are 3 piece strutbars and aren't solid.
I bet some solid strutbars like the ones Jonnie Fraz makes would help a lot more.

I'm only getting a faint creaking from the rear right now, none from the roof (maybe a little at the rear window?).
My car is a coupe, btw.

I bought some subframe collars in hopes of trying to get the subframe to double as a large brace for the chassis.
I'll report back once I install them.

[Nick_04K]

That doesn't take away from the fact that it's 19 years old.

How's the suspension? Ever replace the shocks? (if you're riding on stocks that is)

Bushings?

Sunroof weatherstripping tends to flatten out on these. Latch doesn't hold down the sunroof as it should. Try replacing those.

There's a lot of factors. In the end though, it's still a 19 year old car. Can't expect it to be perfect.

Yes the suspension has been replaced. KYB GR-2 with megan lowering springs.

Bushings aren't terrible but are 19 years old. Weather stripping needs help on the top of the metal door where the window is. That's about it though.

[ixfxi]

So far I have Jonnie Fraz's tension rod powerbrace, and some Cusco strut bars but those didn't help any.
That might be because these are 3 piece strutbars and aren't solid.
I bet some solid strutbars like the ones Jonnie Fraz makes would help a lot more.

I'm only getting a faint creaking from the rear right now, none from the roof (maybe a little at the rear window?).
My car is a coupe, btw.

I bought some subframe collars in hopes of trying to get the subframe to double as a large brace for the chassis.
I'll report back once I install them.

adding ANY chassis brace, roll bar, cage, etc is going to make the problems even worse. what people dont understand is that when you stiffen your chassis, you're stiffening a particular section and not taking into account the other areas of the car that are held together with jizz and snott. Ever pull off your interior and see the massive amounts of seam sealer NISSAN used to secure panels together?

Again, that is most likely not your problem in particular. If the door is creaking upon accel and decel its most likely your worn strikers and/or door bushings, not to mention you should grease your door pins.

[SaNTi]

Only reason I hate the craking, popping, and noise inside my car is cause most of the time I have no clue where it's coming from or why it's happening.

One thing I do hate though, is whenever my passanger window is closed shut, theres a noise coming from the door... like a tick. It goes away when I open it and have no fucking clue what it is. I took the door panel off, looked around trying to find the culprit but no luck. I tightened the window rails a bit, nothing. It kills me, and actually keeps me from driving with my windows closed... :confused:

HELP!

[sviellvoicae]

Like CR said. These cars are 19, 20 + years old. They are gonna make noise, odd smells, run funny from time to time. I find this thread pointless. Just drive it and dont worrie. Its not a bently that is poping and cracking.

[Zero-Offset]

yes, to the OP i also feel your pain. most noticeably around the sunroof entering/exiting driveways and going over bumps. lots of squeaking and very annoying.
but i guess its something you have to live with =\

[Nick_04K]

Like CR said. These cars are 19, 20 + years old. They are gonna make noise, odd smells, run funny from time to time. I find this thread pointless. Just drive it and dont worrie. Its not a bently that is poping and cracking.

My car does not make funny smells. And it runs absolutely fine. Starts in -30 degree Utah weather, pulls like a fresh KA should and has no issues whatsoever. This thread is not pointless. Just driving it and not worrying is how half the jank ass piece of shit 240's on this site got that way.

I want to rip my entire car apart, stitch weld every single seam in it, delete the sunroof and put it all back together. These noises are the biggest thing causing me to fall out of love with my s13. :naw:

Contemplating new car.

[slowvia]

There's a lot of factors. In the end though, it's still a 19 year old car. Can't expect it to be perfect.

This.
You arent going to fix any noises or rattles with any sort of strut bar or harness bar. Its all in the bushings and hinges in the door. As stated before, these cars are old, and after a couple of decades how many times do you think those doors have been opened and slammed shut?

[ixfxi]

This.
You arent going to fix any noises or rattles with any sort of strut bar or harness bar. Its all in the bushings and hinges in the door. As stated before, these cars are old, and after a couple of decades how many times do you think those doors have been opened and slammed shut?

Smart man, smart advice.


I want to rip my entire car apart, stitch weld every single seam in it, delete the sunroof and put it all back together. These noises are the biggest thing causing me to fall out of love with my s13. :naw:

Contemplating new car.

Alas, have you considered purchasing a Lexus? BMW? Or perhaps a Mercedes-Benz?

[Nick_04K]

Yes actually.

Lexus IS300
BMW e46 3 series
Any AMG Benz 2008+ of course.

But on a serious note, i am considering the first two. And possibly an Audi S4 or even A6. As long as it's 2.7tt

2.7tt + DP's, 2.5" catback + GIAC = :2f2f:

[Spring Break '92]

Well it looks like you've answered your own question. Is it worth it to you to strip your car of every single part and piece and stitch weld it/undercoat everything under the car/install a cage/paint the interior? If so you should do it. Even new cars make noises. You could use chassis ears, that is one way of going about pinpointing a noise.

[theboy]

if your car is as mint as you say it is, then sell it to me and go buy your audi. Ill live with the noises.

[h2v7]

yea if i pull in a driveway and its uphill and i come in as a super angle cuz im a lil low something does what ur saying im not sure what.... dont do it too often tho