Door Frame Ticking / Squeaking Elimination

[Marc Collins]

A couple of days ago Stinger was lelt in outside temperature of 42°c for about an hour. When i exited car park over numerous speed bumps at very low speed it seemed nearly everything creaked, particularly the roof.

Yep. And not that you will need to care, but the same thing happens in extreme cold. It does not have the materials engineering and assembly of a premium (or even near-premium) vehicle.

 

[Luc]

This article seems more and more like fluff to me now after owning the car for over a year; creaks and squeaks abound!

Behind the scenes at Kia's desert testing facility | Autocar

 

[TheAlien666]

Yep. And not that you will need to care, but the same thing happens in extreme cold. It does not have the materials engineering and assembly of a premium (or even near-premium) vehicle.

Curious. We’ve had cold temperatures here (-16c) the last few days and, aside from some slightly different noises from the engine (until it warmed-up) there was no additionnal noises from the cabin...

 

[MerlintheMad]

This article seems more and more like fluff to me now after owning the car for over a year; creaks and squeaks abound!

Behind the scenes at Kia's desert testing facility | Autocar

I saw that one. It added details to the promo book: "[Kia's development regimen] ranges from cold-weather testing in northern Sweden to hot-weather testing in California's searing Death Valley and the Australian Outback." So far, two summers up to 100F plus, and down to the single digits, have not produced any extraneous noises in my GT1; so, the promo book hype holds up; and the "honeymoon" continues. The universe is in balance. Hah. I reckon that a $200K Porsche would produce the same variability between individual vehicles.

 

[Revvdmedia]

I was quite appalled to ride in an absolute base model Nissan Versa taxi in Mexico, over 30,000kms on the odo on their terrible "topas" filled roads, not a creak or rattle to be heard in the plastic fantastic interior with crank windows. So disappointed in Kia...

 

[TheAlien666]

I was quite appalled to ride in an absolute base model Nissan Versa taxi in Mexico, over 30,000kms on the odo on their terrible "topas" filled roads, not a creak or rattle to be heard in the plastic fantastic interior with crank windows. So disappointed in Kia...

Probably because the engine noise was drowning them climbing uphill ?

To be honest, I went on some back roads late this afternoon in my Stinger GT, and only on some very rough pavement did I hear some slight creaking (sounded like it was coming from the roof on the passenger side). But it wasn't very loud and not present all the time. And I tried the automatic high beams for the first time and was very pleasantly surprised at how well they work, not being fooled by reflections on road panels.

But I'm very curious about that Kia TSB (technical service bulletin) about this creaking/ticking noises issue that seems to affect some cars and not others... Anyone know exactly what it is, and what number it carries ? Because going back to the dealer with this knowledge might speed things up.

I remember when I had my 2003 Toyota Corolla, I had an issue when the engine was started in very cold weather where there was some severe idle speed hunting. I had found a TSB from Toyota about it online, and went to the dealer with it, and they told me that they weren't aware of it because it concerned only specific models assembled in part in California which my car was one of (early production run, later fully assembled in Canada).

It turned out that Toyota had installed an ECU for the California market by mistake that wasn't programmed to deal with the very cold winter temperatures of Canada, and that they couldn't even just flash the memory because it wasn't even compatible. So they replaced the whole ECU with a proper one at no cost ($1200 worth), and the car was fine after that. So much for Toyota's high quality assurance ?

 

[Marc Collins]

Probably because the engine noise was drowning them climbing uphill ?

To be honest, I went on some back roads late this afternoon in my Stinger GT, and only on some very rough pavement did I hear some slight creaking (sounded like it was coming from the roof on the passenger side). But it wasn't very loud and not present all the time. And I tried the automatic high beams for the first time and was very pleasantly surprised at how well they work, not being fooled by reflections on road panels.

But I'm very curious about that Kia TSB (technical service bulletin) about this creaking/ticking noises issue that seems to affect some cars and not others... Anyone know exactly what it is, and what number it carries ? Because going back to the dealer with this knowledge might speed things up.

I remember when I had my 2003 Toyota Corolla, I had an issue when the engine was started in very cold weather where there was some severe idle speed hunting. I had found a TSB from Toyota about it online, and went to the dealer with it, and they told me that they weren't aware of it because it concerned only specific models assembled in part in California which my car was one of (early production run, later fully assembled in Canada).

It turned out that Toyota had installed an ECU for the California market by mistake that wasn't programmed to deal with the very cold winter temperatures of Canada, and that they couldn't even just flash the memory because it wasn't even compatible. So they replaced the whole ECU with a proper one at no cost ($1200 worth), and the car was fine after that. So much for Toyota's high quality assurance ?

Don't be so cocky about your quiet Stinger...it can change very quickly. I had zero noises from my sunroof area for the first year and a half and then all of a sudden I learned/appreciated what so many on here were complaining about. I did nothing different, but suddenly ticking and scrunching and clunking. I also have some rattle in the dash when the car is cold that was not there last winter. And I probably have the lowest mileage and fewest rough road klicks of anyone on here. Time seems to be affecting most of these issues in my case.

So, don't jinx yourself

 

[TheAlien666]

...So, don't jinx yourself

I remember vividly some of my 9 other cars, that I owned over the last 30 years, having many strange noises in winter time... Much worse than this (so far...I wouldn't want to jinx myself). The worst of which was my 1988 Hyundai Excel Hatchback ! Only beaten by my father's Suzuki Samuraï !
As for low mileage, my 2018 GT Limited currently has 26300 KM on it, and very few rough roads clicks. It had many more ticking noises this passed summer before I did the Gummy Pledge Stiff (or whatever it's called ) rubber seals treatment.

 

[Revvdmedia]

Probably because the engine noise was drowning them climbing uphill ?

Honestly, I was genuinely surprised to hear no noises from that car, particularly because of its genuine cheapness, absolutely plastic everything interior and the fact I always considered Nissan (and Mitsubishi) to be the lowest overall Japanese quality, especially when compared to Honda or Toyota. This ride had the windows rolled up, radio off, AC on but low, and still no noises.

It's not totally a relation to this particular instance, but rather the fact that one would expect the cheapest of cheap to rattle, yet some of us with Stingers find it quite unbearable. As far as new cars go, for the mileage, the Stinger had noises the soonest and has degraded the worst over mileage so far, even worse than that crap Chevy Cobalt SS.

Worse yet is not only the fact the noises exist but the fact dealer cannot or will not fix them. I would LOVE to sing praise towards the Stinger, I still think it is a steal for the price, but it fails tremendously (for me) regarding quality and I would never recommend the vehicle to anyone that considers something like this a priority.

If Kia could and would fix all these issues, I would change my tunefor sure. Maybe next spring or summer may bring positive changes. If not, moving to used cars may lower the bar to the point I am satisfied with my purchase.

 

[BarryT]

Yes Barry please disclose if possible as this has been an on going issue since day dot on here. Also Kia Aust seem in the past to be the first world wide with their TSB. Eg: paint, hatch rattle etc.

Actually, things didn't turn out so successful! The ticking returned unfortunatley. Anyway, I set aside some time over the holidays in an attempt to fix it whilst waiting for the next delaer appointment in the New Year.

I was keen to check a bit more about whether the grab handle was the root cause - as mentioned the ticking did go away when they removed and replaced it first time around. I can also stop the ticking by a small amount of upward pressurre on the roof above the grab handle. So I took off the grab handle and also pulled off the seal giving me access to a small gap between the headliner and the roof. I managed to pull out the small plastic thing that the grab handle screws into. Did a quick drive with all that removed and the ticking went away.

So next completely wrapped the plastic thing with hockey tape, put back into place, put seals back and it's been a day now without any ticking.

In the small gap you can get to feel a flexy piece of metal, part of the sun roof that is right next to the plastic grab handle backing..i'm thinking this is the cause,...plastic on metal....

here's a couple of pictures...one show the pplastic holder i pulled out, in process of being covered in hockey tape, the other is the gap.

 

[westcoastGT]

Actually, things didn't turn out so successful! The ticking returned unfortunatley. Anyway, I set aside some time over the holidays in an attempt to fix it whilst waiting for the next delaer appointment in the New Year.

I was keen to check a bit more about whether the grab handle was the root cause - as mentioned the ticking did go away when they removed and replaced it first time around. I can also stop the ticking by a small amount of upward pressurre on the roof above the grab handle. So I took off the grab handle and also pulled off the seal giving me access to a small gap between the headliner and the roof. I managed to pull out the small plastic thing that the grab handle screws into. Did a quick drive with all that removed and the ticking went away.

So next completely wrapped the plastic thing with hockey tape, put back into place, put seals back and it's been a day now without any ticking.

In the small gap you can get to feel a flexy piece of metal, part of the sun roof that is right next to the plastic grab handle backing..i'm thinking this is the cause,...plastic on metal....

here's a couple of pictures...one show the pplastic holder i pulled out, in process of being covered in hockey tape, the other is the gap.

Keep us posted pls ! ......................I have 20,000 km in 26 months

 

[Marc Collins]

Actually, things didn't turn out so successful! The ticking returned unfortunatley. Anyway, I set aside some time over the holidays in an attempt to fix it whilst waiting for the next delaer appointment in the New Year.

I was keen to check a bit more about whether the grab handle was the root cause - as mentioned the ticking did go away when they removed and replaced it first time around. I can also stop the ticking by a small amount of upward pressurre on the roof above the grab handle. So I took off the grab handle and also pulled off the seal giving me access to a small gap between the headliner and the roof. I managed to pull out the small plastic thing that the grab handle screws into. Did a quick drive with all that removed and the ticking went away.

So next completely wrapped the plastic thing with hockey tape, put back into place, put seals back and it's been a day now without any ticking.

In the small gap you can get to feel a flexy piece of metal, part of the sun roof that is right next to the plastic grab handle backing..i'm thinking this is the cause,...plastic on metal....

here's a couple of pictures...one show the pplastic holder i pulled out, in process of being covered in hockey tape, the other is the gap.

Fantastic!!! What are you doing with hockey tape in Australia? I don't even have any...but can find it pretty easily if I need to!

 

[stingerbeagle]

So I took off the grab handle and also pulled off the seal giving me access to a small gap between the headliner and the roof.

Can the seal just be pulled off and then pushed back on? I'd like to do something similar but am afraid of breaking something (which I always seem to do)

 

[BarryT]

Can the seal just be pulled off and then pushed back on? I'd like to do something similar but am afraid of breaking something (which I always seem to do)

I pulled it off and put it back a few times without anything snapping or breaking! The A pillar cover did pop out when i pulled the headliner down a bit, but it just popped back in. I didn't take it completely off, just the top half which hanged down.
I did on one ocassion not take enough care on the seal replacement and it creased under at the top /back where it curves by the b pillar and didn;t fit back flush, but that was easily fixed as it's quite bendy.
Other than that, it goes back fine. I must have pulled it off and put back on half a dozen times !

 

[westcoastGT]

I pulled it off and put it back a few times without anything snapping or breaking! The A pillar cover did pop out when i pulled the headliner down a bit, but it just popped back in. I didn't take it completely off, just the top half which hanged down.
I did on one ocassion not take enough care on the seal replacement and it creased under at the top /back where it curves by the b pillar and didn;t fit back flush, but that was easily fixed as it's quite bendy.
Other than that, it goes back fine. I must have pulled it off and put back on half a dozen times !

.....why ? are you "stashing" something up there ???

 

[BarryT]

.....why ? are you "stashing" something up there ???

Haha, good hiding spot actually.!!!
Trust me, it wasn't the plan to do it so many times, just worked out that way to narrow down to what now seems to be the real cause.

 

[Ozstung]

Fantastic!!! What are you doing with hockey tape in Australia? I don't even have any...but can find it pretty easily if I need to!

Intially I thought the same but I think Barry is talking field Hockey not Ice hockey. For many years Austalia has been one of the best teams in the world. We usually get a medal at the Olympics.

 

[Marc Collins]

Intially I thought the same but I think Barry is talking field Hockey not Ice hockey. For many years Austalia has been one of the best teams in the world. We usually get a medal at the Olympics.

Of course. We have that too, but it doesn't get the attention of ice hockey.

On a much more serious note, this debacle with the various ticking and rattles has been going on so long and with so little action from KIA that I am hoping for a New Year's miracle of one of us figuring out a super-simple solution. Similar to the extra washer trick to keep the rear hatch from clanging over every bump.

 

[stingerbeagle]

I pulled off the seal and had a look in there. One thing I noticed is that I have a label sticker for the headliner as well, but mine wasn't stuck on flush. I noticed it was making some noise even while I was pulling the headliner down. So I ripped it off. First shakedown ride was really quiet, but I won't declare victory until I can test it again at lower temperatures. Fingers crossed!

 

[BarryT]

I pulled off the seal and had a look in there. One thing I noticed is that I have a label sticker for the headliner as well, but mine wasn't stuck on flush. I noticed it was making some noise even while I was pulling the headliner down. So I ripped it off. First shakedown ride was really quiet, but I won't declare victory until I can test it again at lower temperatures. Fingers crossed!

Nice! I didn't think of removing the label. Maybe covering the grab handle backing plastic peice stopped it rubbing against the sticker! Who knows!!!...could it be so simple ? A New Year miracle?!!!!
Third day in to my fix and no ticking!