loud noise coming from driver side door

[wsmole1]

ok I have been driving my 95 jeep cherokee for a year and a half. ever since I have had it it makes a loud noise when driving at high speeds. best way to describe it is air rushing in, which is what it is. About 4 months ago one of my door brackets broke off and I had to have it welded back on. when I told the body shop of this problem they said that they would make sure that the door was placed right and sealed correctly. however, door works fine but noise is the same. Rust is most likely due to water coming in, which also drips on me. the best I can see it's coming from the top right side of the door. I also have seen some light shining throught this same point. The only thing I've done to fix this problem is turn my radio up, but would like to fix this before I go deaf. before I go I hope someone can help me figure this out cause I drive my boss cars (hummers, f250s, tahoes) all the time and they don't feel as good as my jeep does. thanxs for your help

[Saudade]

When you close the door, is the door flush with the other body panels? Does the gap appear even all the way around?

Try replacing the weather stripping around the door.

[wsmole1]

it seems to be flush all the way around except right at that top corner.

[Saudade]

Since it did it before the door hinge repair, I would fault the body shop.

What's the condition of the weather stripping in that area? All there? Still soft?

It's possible that he window frame at that location is bent outward a bit. Does the window roll up smoothly all the way to the top or does it appear to flex outward once it reaches the area with the gap?

[Kings-x59]

My front roof rack used to be positioned right above the front seats. The wind resistance at high speed made a lot of wind noise. I moved the rack back and the wind noise died down alot.

[wsmole1]

my window doesn't seem to flex out. the weatherstripping does seem alittle worn. it only goes over the front of the door, not over the top, should it? my roof rack bar is also over the front door. I'll move it further back, but how much? to the back door.

[wsmole1]

ok i think I solved the problem. I notice that the top front (along the side of the window does stick out further than it should. so it's like saudade said that the window frame is bent. How can I fix it. I think I should be able to take a rubber mallet and bang it back in place, but will that break the small triangle glass that's right next to that side? or should I just pay 100 or so dollars and let a professional do it.

[billjeep]

Have 93 jeep sport for 8-9 mos and am learning auto repair as I go. When I got it the driver side door appeared to be missing the spring that stopped the door at halfway open, I said "so what and just drove it. It also had the type noise you described. 4-6 weeks ago I suddenly could not open the door more than 8- 10 inches. After banging on the door and fender and other maneuvers I got it open and it worked for a time then this occurred again. To make a long story short I found that the top door hinge weld had broken. I took it to a body shop 2 days ago and they said that they could weld it back on but that if it were not lined up perfectly there would always be a problem thereafter since after welding it it would not ever be adjustable. The problem was secondary to the lack of the spring mentioned above -- they called it a "keeper" -- and its function is to keep the door from opening all of the way and stressing the weld to the breaking point. I suppose it was a costly (bad) idea to ignore that problem.

It sounds to me as if the problem of the noise was secondary to an ill fitting door due to a hinge problem before the hinge broke and is now due to a misalignment after the weld. If this seems plausible it seems to me the best fix would be the weatherstripping idea and I would recommend against bending the window frame. My door has not yet been fixed and you can also see light coming in around the frame. If you go to a professional talk to several and remember "caveat emptor".
Good luck
Bill

PS: also see "My door was falling off! |" -- reply by mjhicks in this forum.

[andrew2516]

I also had the same problem on my 93 xj, it's a simple fix. I bought some thin weather stripping at the hardware store here that has a sticky side. I put it on and cut it with a utility knife and now it looks stock. I put on the door where the stock stripping touches the door pn that bend.

[vamc]

I would ajest to doeer on how it is hanging.my thought.