Creaking ****** doors!

[Bob L'eponge]

My X7 tourer's rear doors creak more than my knees do on a cold, damp day! I've lubricated the hinges, many times, but to no avail - the noise is awful, and its LOUD!! Am I missing something, is there a hidden part that needs greasing??! Its driving me barmy!

Pete

I had this on my X7 and the solution was to pack the inside of the cannister that GiveMeABreak points out with grease. It contains a flat coil spring and the faces can rub together making a lot of noise. I did this about 3 years ago and have had no problems since.

[moizeau]

Is there an 'anti open too far bar' in the door, that's normally the bit that plays up

[EDC5]

Is there an 'anti open too far bar' in the door, that's normally the bit that plays up

Whereabouts is that located, is it this component?

[moizeau]

Sorry for the late reply, I'm not knowledgeable about your specific car. On my cars there is a 'hinge like' bar that is bolted to the 'b pillar' and then goes inside the door, it is positioned between the 2 normal hinges. It controls how far you can open the door. It is spring operated on the inside of the door. If you do have one like this, it is car door card off to gain access. Don't unbolt it from the 'b pillar' then shut the door, it disappears up it's own. I may be barking up the wrong tree, not knowing your car ,
All the best

If methods these days have changed, please enlighten me

[GiveMeABreak]

They have indeed changed Moizeau - this picture above and in my post on the previous page is what we now have in the C5 X7. A cassette mechanism. It does actually have 2 positions. I have well-lubricated mine, so there is no creaking whatsoever. I can just about here a slight noise when it reaches each of the pre-defined opening positions where it will stay and not move when left alone. Critical to keep these well greased / oiled (that's why the silicone spray is better as it is hard to get grease in between the 2 halves).

[EDC5]

They have indeed changed Moizeau - this picture above and in my post on the previous page is what we now have in the C5 X7. A cassette mechanism. It does actually have 2 positions. I have well-lubricated mine, so there is no creaking whatsoever. I can just about here a slight noise when it reaches each of the pre-defined opening positions where it will stay and not move when left alone. Critical to keep these well greased / oiled (that's why the silicone spray is better as it is hard to get grease in between the 2 halves).

Where exactly is the mechanism that causes these 'clicks' between the pre-defined opening position; as mine needs a healthy dose of silicone?

[GiveMeABreak]

I wouldn't say 'clicks; exactly - it seems the door, when opened just opens and settles into the first position and then you pull it open further until it 'finds' the next position where it sort of stays at. Since lubing the cassettes and all the door hinges, I've eliminated all the noises now, so it is quiet as a mouse.

[moizeau]

Thanks for the info Marc, I'll have to have a look at a more recent car to update myself.

[Bret Sinclair]

I always use a 50/50 mix of Acetone and Automatic transmission fluid. Great for loosening nuts and stopping squeaks.

[GiveMeABreak]

I wouldn't want to be putting that combo anywhere near my paintwork! Seeing as Acetone strips nail varnish and the like, it won't be particularly good anywhere it can get on your bodywork TBH.

[MattBLancs]

Awakening an old post but the same issue. All four of my C5 X7 doors creak and groan. Have popped the lids off and found slutchy rusty muck as a poor grease substitute. Rear door hinges removed complete and (crudely) modified to add a grease nipple like so:

90° M6 grease nipple

In reality the metal is far too thin for an M6 thread. But it's just about hanging on in there so far. Position feeds grease into the top half (beyond what's visible with the lower cap removed) new drain hole in the bottom lid (so rusty and thin almost rusted through from the inside in a couple of places!) And I've pushed grease in until squirts out of the new drain hole. No reduction in noise yet but see if improved with some use - once car driving again, soon hopefully! Didn't fancy drilling out rivets etc as described on another post.

Front ones not as easily to add a grease nipple (that does not interfere with the door movement) so just drilled the bottom cap in situ for the moment. Dribble of black iron oxide rich water from passenger side! Spray grease up this new drain hole encouraged some more filthy water out. Again no reduction in noise yet.

I think these check strap mechanisms have the potential to be brilliant, but design let down as accumulates water! (And lacks a drain hole)

If the grease improves things I'll look to weld an M6 nut to each mechanism then the grease nipple will be mounted more sturdily.

Matt

[Jaf]

I park on a slope. Greased the door hinges on the Xantia a couple of years ago. Door tries to take my leg off. It has slowed down a bit, now feels a bit more like a butler closing the door than attempted murder.

[MattBLancs]

I park on a slope. Greased the door hinges on the Xantia a couple of years ago. Door tries to take my leg off. It has slowed down a bit, now feels a bit more like a butler closing the door than attempted murder.

Not suicide doors, but murderous doors!

The rear doors on my previous C4 were a bit like that, no strong detent and had a habit of slamming into your shin (where isn't much "padding" - oww!)

Matt