E46 Convertible roof squeaks cure

Discussion in '3 Series' started by Caveman, Feb 5, 2019.

  1. Caveman
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    Caveman

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    Hi Everyone,

    Has anyone had any luck ridding their car of squeaks apparently caused by the front windows being fully up? If you lower the window a few mm the squeaking stops but I cannot work out what is rubbing on what to cause it.

    I have noticed that the black, rectangular "wedge" (feels like a hard neoprene or similar) that sits in the window channel of the roof above the top of the front side windows (almost at the junction between the front and rear side windows) has come unstuck on both sides. I have failed to find something that can glue them in.

    Having had one E46 that was silent with the roof up and now one that is not it is driving me nuts!

    Thanks for any suggestions that have worked.

    Regards,

    David
     
  2. snrbrtsn
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    snrbrtsn WARLORD

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    I’ve read, gummi pflege is relatively successful
    Sometimes, it’s not the window seal, but the door seal, moreso in your case as I assume the windows are pillarless
    A liberal coating around all the seals, doors and window should restore silence
    Thereafter twice a year

    C39A0F22-579C-4566-864A-070E9A322935.jpeg
     
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  3. Caveman
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    Caveman

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    Hi Snrbrtsn,
    I was aware of Gummi pflege but hadn't thought about door seals. Windows are pillarless and I have even replaced one of the side windows just to get a new seal between the rear glass and front glass. I thought they stopped making it years ago?

    Cheers,

    David
     
  4. Caveman
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    So just looked and there it is. I've ordered some so will give it a go.

    Any other thoughts everyone?

    Thanks,

    David
     
  5. Mieke
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    Mieke WARLORD Site Supporter

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  6. Caveman
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    Thanks Mieke,

    Good to know. I'll see if the Gummi Pflege does anything. I have tried all kinds of polishes on the glass - rain-x, autoglym, even candle wax!

    Has anyone cured this issue on their E46?

    Cheers,

    David
     
  7. Verbarthe
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    Verbarthe WARLORD

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    I ve used both Gummi Pfledge and also PTFE Silicone Spray ,and Silicone Oil Spray on my last E46 Convertible with decent results , it s really all about moisturising the rubber ,I got both the Silicones from Lidl . Nothing will work if the seals are gone though . Never had this problem when I had mine luckily , good luck with it .
     
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  8. Ers51
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    Ers51

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    Not so much about squeaks with me but one helluva rattling when going over less than decent roads.
    Only just got the E93 so disappointed that it comes with obvious issues.Not driven it yet with the roof down to see if the noise disappears
    Appears to be coming from the passenger side at the rear and sounds like a loose parcel shelf...except it disnae have any.Any ideas/advice.

    ed.
     
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2019
  9. markyboyt
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    markyboyt WARLORD

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    Have in the past gently sanded the tops of the glass if it feels a bit rough and applied a thin layer of gummi pfledge, that used to stop a lot of creaks between the glass and the seal. Literally just a small dab periodically along the glass and then rub it well so the surface is just slightly moistened rather than wet.
     
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  10. Verbarthe
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    Verbarthe WARLORD

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    Check your headrests are fully down , had an annoying rattle on my last E46 and it turned out to be the front passenger headrest ., all I did was spray the runners with Silicone Spray and the rattle disappeared . Worth a try .
     
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  11. Caveman
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    Caveman

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    Thanks Guys,

    Apologies for not coming back sooner. I'll try the headrest. The other stealth noise can be the sun visors rubbing on the window frame when you are not using them...

    Has anyone ever definitively fixed this? My previous E46 convertible was silent whereas this one gets it a lot and I cannot work out what is different.
     
  12. Ers51
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    Ers51

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    Hi Caveman still not got to the bottom of this problem,and just kinda learning to live with it.Ive got a couple of months left on ma warranty but not absolutely sure if this is covered plus the worry that it might come back even worse .

    ed.
     
  13. Caveman
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    Caveman

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    Hi Ed,

    Having had a quiet car I know it is fixable; I just don't know how. That is what is so annoying! I don't like not being able to resolve issues.

    Cheers,

    David
     
  14. Ers51
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    Ers51

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    Nothing imo to do with the head rests as suggested defo coming from passenger side at the back between rear seats and boot ,whether it’s to do with the seats or the roof I’m at a loss to explain...As you say ...very annoying..al never have another ..
    ed.
     
  15. Caveman
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    Caveman

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    When you say between the rear seats and the boot how have you been able to pinpoint that? Have had someone drive with you listening? That is what I was thinking of doing next. I was wondering if it was something to do with the rear "bow" that the roof stretches over - just above the rear window. If you push either side of it you can sometimes hear something but I don't know if that is a red herring.

    Cheers,

    David
     
  16. Ers51
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    Ers51

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    Never had anyone in rear trying to pinpoint it David but I’m almost sure that’s the offending area.If you get round to having someone “listening” for you let me know if you get a result .

    ed.
     
  17. Caveman
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    Will do.
    If you get a chance; have a feel inside the window channels that the driver and passenger windows go into when the windows are up. You should feel a small rectangular block of material that the window sits against when you put the window up. I suspect that some of the issues come from when this block becomes unstuck... If you have go those can you measure how far they are from the end of the channel? They should sit above the back edge of the window and I am trying to find out of the rear side window hits the block when up or just the front one. I think this may affect things as if you dip the window a few mm the noises will typically stop...


    No block NB Block (inside channel)
    Rear window Front window Front window Front window
    Rear window Front window Front window Front window Front Window
    Rear window Front window Front window Front window Front Window Front Window
    Rear window Front window Front window Front window Front Window Front Window
     
  18. Ers51
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    Ers51

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  19. Ers51
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    Ers51

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    Will have a look at that

    ed.
     
  20. Caveman
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    Thanks
     

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