Creaking Windscreen

[Phil F]

Hi everyone,

I bet no one has had this little problem!?My 05 Avensis's windscreen creaks,intermittently,sometimes loudly,on the nearside bottom or top corner.I seem to be getting the "they all do it mate...." response from the windscreen companies.Anybody had this and managed to cure it?

It could drive me mad soon....

Cheers....Phil.

[sferg]

Hi I have a very creaky windscreen coming from the bottom under the removable panel - I think my screen was replaced shortly before I bought the car, and I intend to take the panel off and see where it is coming from. I don't think it creaks from the top, but I generally have a load of creaks on my 04 T-spirit, 100k miles, anyone else?? They are driving me mad!

[Axeman1977]

My old 04 T3-x used to do it all the time on the drivers side at the bottom. My 06 T-4 doesn't have the same creak though.

[Phil F]

My old 04 T3-x used to do it all the time on the drivers side at the bottom. My 06 T-4 doesn't have the same creak though.

Hi Axeman,

Did you manage to cure it,or just live with it?

Phil.

[Axeman1977]

To be honest I just lived with it, it seemed to be dependent on temperature too, as I remember the cooler it got the worse it was.

[Gooli]

Have no idea if it applies to the Mk2 avensis, but my Mk1 front (and rear) window was creaking like hell.

I tracked it down to the rubber sealing around the outside of the windows. Well, the case is, its not rubber,

but some sort of soft plastic. Too stiff to follow the tiny movements of the glass and body, and therefore

creaking against the glass, and the glass itself enhancing it further (as the membrane of a loudspeaker).

I removed the trims and applied some silicone (the hardening type)on the surface, before putting them back again.

I now enjoy a silent ride in any temperature and weather.

[Roker]

I had a similar post a few weeks ago, got no reply. I could not figure if it was the near side door, or panel that houses the airbag beside the windscreen, I was going to tighten the door panel but possibly it is the windscreen, you gave me something to work on.

[Glassman]

A creaking windscreen is a recognised complaint in the industry, albeit somewhat rare. Cars such as the Porsche 993, 996 and the Saab 9000 are the most common subjects. Over the 19 years I've been in the trade, the Ford Focus (1998-05) has also been mentioned as a creaker occasionally.

In my opinion, the cause of the creaking is down to installer error, plain and simple. It may be the adhesive system; it may be that the glass is not centralised, or it could be that it's a combination of a few things, all of which point to inexperience of, or negligence by the installer.

OP: if the fitting company is fobbing you off with "they all do it", that is utter garbage (I was tempted to use a 'b' word there, but first post and all that).

[t-spiritpete]

A creaking windscreen is a recognised complaint in the industry, albeit somewhat rare. Cars such as the Porsche 993, 996 and the Saab 9000 are the most common subjects. Over the 19 years I've been in the trade, the Ford Focus (1998-05) has also been mentioned as a creaker occasionally.

In my opinion, the cause of the creaking is down to installer error, plain and simple. It may be the adhesive system; it may be that the glass is not centralised, or it could be that it's a combination of a few things, all of which point to inexperience of, or negligence by the installer.

OP: if the fitting company is fobbing you off with "they all do it", that is utter garbage (I was tempted to use a 'b' word there, but first post and all that).

Welcome the the forum,

nice to have an expert on the forum who gets straight to the point, that was a cracking reply mate. !

[Phil F]

A creaking windscreen is a recognised complaint in the industry, albeit somewhat rare. Cars such as the Porsche 993, 996 and the Saab 9000 are the most common subjects. Over the 19 years I've been in the trade, the Ford Focus (1998-05) has also been mentioned as a creaker occasionally.

In my opinion, the cause of the creaking is down to installer error, plain and simple. It may be the adhesive system; it may be that the glass is not centralised, or it could be that it's a combination of a few things, all of which point to inexperience of, or negligence by the installer.

OP: if the fitting company is fobbing you off with "they all do it", that is utter garbage (I was tempted to use a 'b' word there, but first post and all that).

Welcome the the forum,

nice to have an expert on the forum who gets straight to the point, that was a cracking reply mate. !

Hi Glassman,

As said above,thanks for that,great reply!Sorry,I did not make it clear in my post but this is the original windscreen!

I have asked at a couple of national windscreen companies and the first thing they asked was "Have we fitted the screen".I gather they are having problems with customers coming back

with creaking new replacements.

The technician I spoke to said that replacing my screen would probably not cure the creaking as this is so common?I would appreciate your view on this Glassman as this fault spoils what is a reasonably decent drive.

Could I have the screen re-fitted?

Cheers....Phil.

[Glassman]

Hi Glassman,

As said above,thanks for that,great reply!Sorry,I did not make it clear in my post but this is the original windscreen!

Not unheard of, but still rare. Are you sure the noise isn't a bit of plastic, or a trim rubbing (like the dash, or A-pillar covers) ?

The technician I spoke to said that replacing my screen would probably not cure the creaking as this is so common?

It's not. It might be common for the inexperienced or careless people in the trade, but a creaking windscreen is definitely not a common problem per se.

Could I have the screen re-fitted?

Yes, it is possible to have the screen removed and refitted. But I would research the problem further, ie, while the screen is out of the car, look to see if the noise isn't being generated by a 'live' bit of something, like a loose bit of trim or a bit of plastic pushing up against something.

Have you spoken to Toyota about this? In my experience, the general view for what could possibly be deemed as a warranty issue is excepted by the caveat: glass and seals are not covered under manufacturer warranty.

[Phil F]

Hi Glassman,

As said above,thanks for that,great reply!Sorry,I did not make it clear in my post but this is the original windscreen!

Not unheard of, but still rare. Are you sure the noise isn't a bit of plastic, or a trim rubbing (like the dash, or A-pillar covers) ?

The technician I spoke to said that replacing my screen would probably not cure the creaking as this is so common?

It's not. It might be common for the inexperienced or careless people in the trade, but a creaking windscreen is definitely not a common problem per se.

Could I have the screen re-fitted?

Yes, it is possible to have the screen removed and refitted. But I would research the problem further, ie, while the screen is out of the car, look to see if the noise isn't being generated by a 'live' bit of something, like a loose bit of trim or a bit of plastic pushing up against something.

Have you spoken to Toyota about this? In my experience, the general view for what could possibly be deemed as a warranty issue is excepted by the caveat: glass and seals are not covered under manufacturer warranty.

Hi Glassman,

Sorry for delay replying to your very helpfull post.

Yes I have spoken to a tech at my local main Toyota dealer who had not seen this before,who actually pressed the top of the screen and it actually creaked,but I have been unable to do this myself since.

It is really strange in that it can go for ages and not creak,then all of a sudden start and stay creaking.It does not seem to be linked to vibration or temperature.I may be driving down a flat,good,road and it will start.

I have checked all the plasticky bits I can see,removed the A pillar cover(behind which is a airbag).

Sorry to bore you all with this but it really is the kind of offensive noise that will make me get rid soon....

Cheers,Phil.

[Glassman]

Sorry for delay replying to your very helpfull post.

Yes I have spoken to a tech at my local main Toyota dealer who had not seen this before,who actually pressed the top of the screen and it actually creaked,but I have been unable to do this myself since.

It is really strange in that it can go for ages and not creak,then all of a sudden start and stay creaking.It does not seem to be linked to vibration or temperature.I may be driving down a flat,good,road and it will start.

I have checked all the plasticky bits I can see,removed the A pillar cover(behind which is a airbag).

Sorry to bore you all with this but it really is the kind of offensive noise that will make me get rid soon....

Thanks Phil.

If the screen creaked when pressure was applied, this indicates movement. There should be no movement. My guess is that the adhesive is either not cured in that area; there may be a gap in the bondine, or the screen has been 'set' down and is resting on something which shouldn't be there.

Based on what you're saying, the problem is treatable by removing and refitting the screen.

[Phil F]

Sorry for delay replying to your very helpfull post.

Yes I have spoken to a tech at my local main Toyota dealer who had not seen this before,who actually pressed the top of the screen and it actually creaked,but I have been unable to do this myself since.

It is really strange in that it can go for ages and not creak,then all of a sudden start and stay creaking.It does not seem to be linked to vibration or temperature.I may be driving down a flat,good,road and it will start.

I have checked all the plasticky bits I can see,removed the A pillar cover(behind which is a airbag).

Sorry to bore you all with this but it really is the kind of offensive noise that will make me get rid soon....

Hi,

Will get it done and let you know the outcome,

Thanks again...Phil.

Thanks Phil.

If the screen creaked when pressure was applied, this indicates movement. There should be no movement. My guess is that the adhesive is either not cured in that area; there may be a gap in the bondine, or the screen has been 'set' down and is resting on something which shouldn't be there.

Based on what you're saying, the problem is treatable by removing and refitting the screen.

[Glassman]

Phil, I know and can recommend a few independent specialists up and down the country - if you like, I can put you in touch with one, just need to know your location.

[Avensis luna 03]

I had a creaking sound in my 2003 1.8 vvti. I noticed that pushing something in between the windscreen and the top of the dashboard stopped the problem. So, I came across a piece of fairly dense black foam rubber about 3/8 - 1/2 inch thick and pushed it in between the two roughly in the centre of the dash. Not a sound from it since and its barely visible.

[Phil F]

Morning all,

Thanks everybody for your help:Glassman...I am in Stoke on Trent,please let me know if you can recommend anyone?

Cheers,Phil.

[Roker]

Phil, I know and can recommend a few independent specialists up and down the country - if you like, I can put you in touch with one, just need to know your location.

Be thankful there is no water leaking in, My Octavia had this problem from new, the sealer was not bonding to the frame.