Creaking From Area of Intercooler Air Inlet

[rdoine]

For some time I have had what I can only describe as a creaking noise coming from the area behind the driver's door. Seems to be between the driver side rear seat inner panel and the outer skin of the car where the air inlet for the intercooler resides. It's almost as if two surfaces are rubbing together. I've thought about pulling that inner panel off or removing the rear wheel and inner liner to see if I can find something that is flexing over bumps, etc. But, if anyone else has already dealt with this issue it would be helpful to have a starting point.

Over the past year or so, I've searched the forum for TSB's, etc. but have never found anything that deals with noises in this particular area.

I'll appreciate any help.

Randall Doine

[Loren]

TSB 3/00 7059 Noise in the Door/Trim Panel Area -- dated Jun 30, 2000

TSB 2a/00 7057 Noise in the Door/Trim Panel Area, A-Pillar -- dated Oct 27, 2000

TSB 2/00 70.. Noise in the Trim Panel Area -- dated June 30, 2000

TSB 1/02 5717 Noises in Door Lock Area -- dated Aug 16, 2002

[rdoine]

TSB 3/00 7059 Noise in the Door/Trim Panel Area -- dated Jun 30, 2000

TSB 2a/00 7057 Noise in the Door/Trim Panel Area, A-Pillar -- dated Oct 27, 2000

TSB 2/00 70.. Noise in the Trim Panel Area -- dated June 30, 2000

TSB 1/02 5717 Noises in Door Lock Area -- dated Aug 16, 2002

Thanks Loren. I've looked at these TSB's. The creaking is coming from rearward of the driver's door so those don't apply. The noise seems to be coming from the area of the rear driver's side cabriolet window and the intake vent for the intercooler. I hate to pull that inner trim panel off but I may have no choice. I may also have to remove the vent housing (if I can figure out how to get it off) to see if there is something rubbing between it and the rest of the plenum going to the interncooler. Or, maybe I'm just nuts and will have to live with it.

As always, thanks for your quick replies and help.

Randall Doine

[Loren]

Are you sure it is not the rear strut or swaybar connection on that side?

[rdoine]

Are you sure it is not the rear strut or swaybar connection on that side?

I guess that is also a possibility. I'll put it on the lift this morning and see what I can see. The strut, I assume, would be more difficult to isolate. Car has about 20K miles on it, but anything is possible.

Thanks again

Randall Doine

[rdoine]

Swaybars seem solid and look as new. Took the car out with the top down and listened carefully. Noise seems to be channeled up through the opening where the driver's seat belt comes out of the area immediately behind the door. Something is definitely moving around. The noise does not change in any way relative to speed. The simple solution is to always drive fast enough for the wind and other noises to drown out this one. I'll keep trying to isolate it but if anyone has any other ideas, I'm open. My last resort will be to send it to the dealer to have a look.

Thanks

Randall Doine

[Loren]

You could remove the belly cover and see what the hoses/lines are are doing in that area. Perhaps a holding bracket broke?

[rdoine]

You could remove the belly cover and see what the hoses/lines are are doing in that area. Perhaps a holding bracket broke?

I'll try that when I get home Saturday. Thanks.

Randall