Rattling rear windows...110CSW

My 110 has sliding rear windows in the side panels at the back. They rattle and squeak all the time...and it's worst on tickover.

What's the best/cheapest/easiest solution? I'll admit I've not really investigated it yet properly, just wondering if it's a case of just needing some kind of lubricant, or if the only way is new seals/channels.

Thanks in advance!

The standard LR seals and channels are s.hit even new ones. Garrison offer far improved seals but they are £120 I think but no rattles and no leaks.

88" series van panels. Maintenance free.

Is it the glass, or the frame?

If its the glass, just cut a small piece of felt or similar, fold it enough to be able to wedge it down the side of the glass to stop the glass from hitting the frame.

I think its more likely to be the frame - the rivets shear and allow the frame to rattle in the side panel. Take off the trim on the outside of the window frame to expose the rivets and I bet some rivet heads will fall off, generally at the bottom. Any rivets that spin in the holes need replacing. Screwfix do 500 rivets for a tenner

On mine the felt had disintegrated, some going hard and this and some had fallen out. I replaced the runners on the bottom while I was on. The felt I bought of ebay 20mm wide, adhesive backed, black felt strips. Folded in half to fit the channel perfectly. The glass is very snug inside of it, but does slide. Can't imagine it rattling again, but I haven't got it back on the road yet!

The windows are most likely rattling because the felt strip around the edges has disintegrated. Mine were the same. I replaced the channel with new felt from here: http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/
It's not the easiest stuff to fit. I found the best way was to gradually work it around the window with a screwdriver while sliding the window back and forth. This way you don't have to disassemble the window frame. It works great though without resorting to bodges, and no more rattly windows

FlyingPete said:

The windows are most likely rattling because the felt strip around the edges has disintegrated. Mine were the same. I replaced the channel with new felt from here: http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/
It's not the easiest stuff to fit. I found the best way was to gradually work it around the window with a screwdriver while sliding the window back and forth. This way you don't have to disassemble the window frame. It works great though without resorting to bodges, and no more rattly windows

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Steps:
1. Remove the window lock so that you can slide back and forth without snagging.

2. Using a flat head driver scrape out old felt from top and side channels - Note make sure you gently pull the felt out from under the part of the channel that is never exposed, you don't want to leave that in the way for later step.

3. Using flat head and pliers remove bits of plastic from bottom channel (not necessary if your bottom plastic runners are still in good shape) - Note make sure you gently pull the hard plastic out from under the window, don't break it off until it is clear.

4. leave your new felt/rubber channel in one long role, start at the top by slowly feeding it from the open side to the fixed side as you move the window back and forth push it along above the window until you can grab the tag end with pliers and pull to the rubber window stop. (do not glue in place).

5. then work it around in one long piece until you get to the bottom side of the sliding window.

6. measure and cut the remaining length for what you will need to complete the job.

7. again work it under the slider until you can pull and run to stop.

8. Then pull both corners out a bit and trim the sides where the bend forced it to bunch up so that the glass can seat properly.

9. Glue in place if you wish. Best to leave unglued for a while to make sure all is well.
The lower channel should be able to drain rain water away.

Not as professional as some of the suggestions given but I used to cut smallish pieces of felt and stuff it in to appropriate gaps in the frame using a blunt screwdriver. The felt I used was from a set of various shapes and sizes used on furniture legs to prevent floor damage etc. - you buy these as a pack I believe from Wilkinson's.

Super quick, easy fix for free? Small bit of Blu-Tak pushed in the gap.
There's a list for my hard-earned to sort out. Any bodges are welcomed.

Joking apart, at some point, i intend to replace mine with single panes. I think the only time you would ever really want them open is if you had passengers in the rear in a very hot country.

julianf said:

Joking apart, at some point, i intend to replace mine with single panes. I think the only time you would ever really want them open is if you had passengers in the rear in a very hot country.

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Or to air the vehicle, reduce humidity and condensation, I always park garaged with the back windows open.