Front Door - Seal & Weatherstripping - Air Noise

[customfab]

The seals on my 97 Allure doors appear to have been replaced at some point. Makes anything over 50 mph, pretty darn annoying with massive air noises. I haven't noticed any water related leaking during rain.

I've tried weathering stripping from Home Depot (1/4 - 1/2 height). But these were too easily compressed and over a short period of time did NOT uncompress when the door was opened. Regardless, they didn't improve anything.

I then tried a more expensive automotive door seal. Improved things but didn't eliminate the air ingress entirely. I was forced to remove as people were having trouble closing the door without a lot of force. And my wife, could not get the deadbolt to close without my help. So this particular seal with too thick.

One other thing I've noticed. The long edge of the door from top to bottom, isn't straight. The door is slightly cupped and bows outward. So the door seats fairly well at the upper and lower corners but at the middle (deadbolt & lower handle area). Without any stripping, I can actually see 1/8" of an opening near where the deadbolt locks. The corners are flush against the outer door frame.

Any recommendations on replacing the seals or dealing with a "bowed" door?

[Full.Monte]

Originally Posted by customfab

The seals on my 97 Allure doors appear to have been replaced at some point. Makes anything over 50 mph, pretty darn annoying with massive air noises. I haven't noticed any water related leaking during rain.

I've tried weathering stripping from Home Depot (1/4 - 1/2 height). But these were too easily compressed and over a short period of time did NOT uncompress when the door was opened. Regardless, they didn't improve anything.

I then tried a more expensive automotive door seal. Improved things but didn't eliminate the air ingress entirely. I was forced to remove as people were having trouble closing the door without a lot of force. And my wife, could not get the deadbolt to close without my help. So this particular seal with too thick.

One other thing I've noticed. The long edge of the door from top to bottom, isn't straight. The door is slightly cupped and bows outward. So the door seats fairly well at the upper and lower corners but at the middle (deadbolt & lower handle area). Without any stripping, I can actually see 1/8" of an opening near where the deadbolt locks. The corners are flush against the outer door frame.

Any recommendations on replacing the seals or dealing with a "bowed" door?

OK...I'm thinking that your door is likely an aluminum frame. They don't lend themselves to straightening very easily. 1/8 of an inch is a pretty big gap. I think I would consider getting a new door or replacing the long rail that is bent. If you really want to fool with it, you could remove the door and lay it down on a flat surface. Then you could try to re-flatten it using weights. You might have to bend it a little past flat to make it flat when the weights are removed.

[deandec]

Well, I have adjusted my door hinge using a 2x4 on the door edge and a small sledge hammer.

That might work on your problem, but could be hazardous to your paint job.

[Smitty77]

Originally Posted by deandec

Well, I have adjusted my door hinge using a 2x4 on the door edge and a small sledge hammer.

That might work on your problem, but could be hazardous to your paint job.

LOL!! We had Oregon Motor Coach take a turn at adjusting ours, it's had air noise at certain angles ever since we bought it. Two shops, and even I, have taken shots at removing/adding different weatherstripping. Some improvement, but never completely gone.

OMC tech took two shots at it. First thing they did is remove all of the 'add on' strips, getting back to the stock weatherstripping. They adjusted the door latch some too. These two helped, but still the whistling noise at certain angles. Second shot was one where the tech said 'You do not want to see how we tweak/adjust the full door! They wood blocks, good old fashion muscles, and an occasional hard tap or two at strategic places. This really helped a lot, not completely gone, but our road testing did not determine that we still had a some wind sounds at some angles. It was the day we left, about 5 hours into the trip South on 101, that the right combo of wind and angle produced the sound.

We've come to the conclusion that we may be best off leaving it 'as is'... We have one more trip to OMC planned - we'll see if they want to give it another shot!

Good luck,
Smitty

[dons2346]

Our '02 Intrigue has the same wind noise. To troubleshoot the problem I have had the wife tape the entire door frame with me in the coach and then I go drive. Same wind noise. I have used masking tape to completely surround the windshield, same noise. I have mask taped the ICC lights, same noise. I have put tape on the horns and still get the same noise. The original awning was a Zip Dee so I masked the legs, same noise. Put on a Girrard and still have the wind noise. I have taped around the mirrors and yep, same noise.

I figure the best way to get rid of the wind noise is to get a different coach which I'm not going to do. Next best thing is to turn the music up.

On edit, I just might try taping up the steps!

[mytime]

Originally Posted by dons2346

Our '02 Intrigue has the same wind noise. To troubleshoot the problem I have had the wife tape the entire door frame with me in the coach and then I go drive. Same wind noise. I have used masking tape to completely surround the windshield, same noise. I have mask taped the ICC lights, same noise. I have put tape on the horns and still get the same noise. The original awning was a Zip Dee so I masked the legs, same noise. Put on a Girrard and still have the wind noise. I have taped around the mirrors and yep, same noise.

I figure the best way to get rid of the wind noise is to get a different coach which I'm not going to do. Next best thing is to turn the music up.

On edit, I just might try taping up the steps!

Couple of pieces over the ears would be easier. Lol