08-21-2008, 09:39 PM
Sorry this is so long...
The hatch on my 95 coupe has developed a creaking noise.
The noise occurs during normal driving, and seems to be associated with vertical motions of the car as it goes over bumps and normal irregularities in the surface of the road. The noise does not seem to occur when torsional force is applied to the body, as happens if you drive diagonally onto a driveway or diagonally across a speed bump, etc. And the noise does not occur when driving very slowly, as you would over a speed bump. The noise is more frequent in warmer temperatures, and seldom occurs at temperatures below 65 degrees.
There is no visual indication that the glass is separated from the frame and, if I spray water on the outside of the window, there are no leaks to the inside. I've done several things trying to isolate the source of the noise., e.g., removed the rear wiper and motor, removed the third stop light, lubricated the rubber seal around the hatch opening, replaced the hatch locks that are mounted in the body, adjusted and lubricated the pins that go into the locks. I have alternately removed one of the pins, then the other, to see if the noise is coming from the pin/lock interface on either side. None of these things has eliminated the noise.
However, the noise does not occur if I disconnect the left (driver's side) lifting strut from the point where it attaches to the hatch. I have replaced that strut with one from another car and lubricated both socket ends of the strut. As long as the strut is installed the noise occurs, and when I remove the strut, the noise stops.
I've only had this car about a year, and it seems there have been a number of posts here and on Rennlist suggesting that hatch noises are common. But, prior to buying the 968, I had an 88 944 that I purchased new and drove over 400K miles without similar problems. So, at least for the time being, I'm inclined not to just tolerate the noise.
Short of replacing the hatch (BIG $), any ideas? Thanks in advance.
Joe
The hatch on my 95 coupe has developed a creaking noise.
The noise occurs during normal driving, and seems to be associated with vertical motions of the car as it goes over bumps and normal irregularities in the surface of the road. The noise does not seem to occur when torsional force is applied to the body, as happens if you drive diagonally onto a driveway or diagonally across a speed bump, etc. And the noise does not occur when driving very slowly, as you would over a speed bump. The noise is more frequent in warmer temperatures, and seldom occurs at temperatures below 65 degrees.
There is no visual indication that the glass is separated from the frame and, if I spray water on the outside of the window, there are no leaks to the inside. I've done several things trying to isolate the source of the noise., e.g., removed the rear wiper and motor, removed the third stop light, lubricated the rubber seal around the hatch opening, replaced the hatch locks that are mounted in the body, adjusted and lubricated the pins that go into the locks. I have alternately removed one of the pins, then the other, to see if the noise is coming from the pin/lock interface on either side. None of these things has eliminated the noise.
However, the noise does not occur if I disconnect the left (driver's side) lifting strut from the point where it attaches to the hatch. I have replaced that strut with one from another car and lubricated both socket ends of the strut. As long as the strut is installed the noise occurs, and when I remove the strut, the noise stops.
I've only had this car about a year, and it seems there have been a number of posts here and on Rennlist suggesting that hatch noises are common. But, prior to buying the 968, I had an 88 944 that I purchased new and drove over 400K miles without similar problems. So, at least for the time being, I'm inclined not to just tolerate the noise.
Short of replacing the hatch (BIG $), any ideas? Thanks in advance.
Joe
