993 windscreen rattle
Discussion
My windscreen has started to rattle, I believe this is quite common on the 993 and the fix is to have it removed and reseated with some "magic" tape applied before bonding it in place.
Has anyone else suffered from this? Have you cured it? And do you know anyone in the South Yorkshire area who can do this for me?
Kind Regards Chris
Has anyone else suffered from this? Have you cured it? And do you know anyone in the South Yorkshire area who can do this for me?
Kind Regards Chris
I'd disagree that the tape is a 'myth'.
993 front screens can rattle or creak. I had a 94 and 95 993, both bought new, that had this tendency. Porsche's solution was the Teflon (?) tape around the frame. Best done when a new screen is fitted but can be done afterwards. If you lift the rubber it looks like a paint edge but is actually the clear tape.
993 front screens can rattle or creak. I had a 94 and 95 993, both bought new, that had this tendency. Porsche's solution was the Teflon (?) tape around the frame. Best done when a new screen is fitted but can be done afterwards. If you lift the rubber it looks like a paint edge but is actually the clear tape.
Geneve said:
I'd disagree that the tape is a 'myth'.
993 front screens can rattle or creak. I had a 94 and 95 993, both bought new, that had this tendency. Porsche's solution was the Teflon (?) tape around the frame. Best done when a new screen is fitted but can be done afterwards. If you lift the rubber it looks like a paint edge but is actually the clear tape.
You're perfectly entitled to that opinion, but I have removed hundreds of creaking 993 screens many of which had the tape applied. Refitted them after removing said tape and, in the words of one of my latest customers, "it's as quiet as a grave now". 993 front screens can rattle or creak. I had a 94 and 95 993, both bought new, that had this tendency. Porsche's solution was the Teflon (?) tape around the frame. Best done when a new screen is fitted but can be done afterwards. If you lift the rubber it looks like a paint edge but is actually the clear tape.
Chris-mac said:
My windscreen has started to rattle, I believe this is quite common on the 993 and the fix is to have it removed and reseated with some "magic" tape applied before bonding it in place.
Has anyone else suffered from this? Have you cured it? And do you know anyone in the South Yorkshire area who can do this for me?
Kind Regards Chris
Rattle is an odd description - it's usually a squeak.Has anyone else suffered from this? Have you cured it? And do you know anyone in the South Yorkshire area who can do this for me?
Kind Regards Chris
There are several factors that could be at play here.
If the screen has not been fitted into the aperture exactly centrally, then it can be
a) too close to one of the metal edges
b) not bedded flat and be 'proud' of where it should be
c) not have a consistent bed of 'sealant' which may allow wind noises through
The external trim is just that - trim not a seal. It ages badly, becoming hard and also loses the 'felt' that is applied to the underside.
If the trim is failing and has shredded, then it might well be that that is 'rattling' at speed.
If the felt has gone, the underside of the trim will be rubbing badly against the paintwork as the screen/aperture moves relative to one another during driving.
This is why Porsche introduced the Teflon tape to the aperture-side over the painted-metal - to protect it from the hardening-trim rubbing away the paint *and* to reduce the noise (squeaking) caused by that rubbing.
What should *you* do?
Inspect the trim - lift it with your fingers; look underneath. When was it last replaced? If never, then take it off.
The trim fits into a groove in the screen 'surround'. Depending on the version of the trim (Porsche changed it mid-993 production) it will either come out easily... or not. If it's old just rip it out - it is cosmetic only and serves no real purpose.
Once the trim is out, (clean the now-exposed channel which will be full of crap) take the car for a drive.
Is the rattle still there?
Report back and I'll tell you what to do next
Edited by Orangecurry on Sunday 20th December 12:52
Glassman said:
Geneve said:
I'd disagree that the tape is a 'myth'.
993 front screens can rattle or creak. I had a 94 and 95 993, both bought new, that had this tendency. Porsche's solution was the Teflon (?) tape around the frame. Best done when a new screen is fitted but can be done afterwards. If you lift the rubber it looks like a paint edge but is actually the clear tape.
You're perfectly entitled to that opinion, but I have removed hundreds of creaking 993 screens many of which had the tape applied. Refitted them after removing said tape and, in the words of one of my latest customers, "it's as quiet as a grave now". 993 front screens can rattle or creak. I had a 94 and 95 993, both bought new, that had this tendency. Porsche's solution was the Teflon (?) tape around the frame. Best done when a new screen is fitted but can be done afterwards. If you lift the rubber it looks like a paint edge but is actually the clear tape.
Geneve's point isn't an 'opinion' - it's a fact.The fact being Porsche fitted the Teflon tape mid-production to stop the creak caused by the trim rubbing against the painted-metal.
When windscreens started being replaced by low-skilled fitters, many other issues may have appeared, but I think we can agree that the factory probably fitted the screens correctly/centrally (and without scratching the paintwork as they did it...)
Glassman said:
You're perfectly entitled to that opinion, but I have removed hundreds of creaking 993 screens many of which had the tape applied. Refitted them after removing said tape and, in the words of one of my latest customers, "it's as quiet as a grave now".
Where are you based Glassman?So many people confuse cause and symptom.
If the OP doesn't care about the cause or the cost, I'm sure that refitting the screen will stop the squeak, as will (at rather less cost) putting a lubricant between the trim and the metal.
But the only myth on this thread is that you have to refit the screen to stop the noises.
Of much more importance is the condition of the screen aperture - has it started rusting away yet?
Which is why I said take off the trim. Unless you are lucky, you have a good chance of needing a body shop before you need a glass fitter.
If the OP doesn't care about the cause or the cost, I'm sure that refitting the screen will stop the squeak, as will (at rather less cost) putting a lubricant between the trim and the metal.
But the only myth on this thread is that you have to refit the screen to stop the noises.
Of much more importance is the condition of the screen aperture - has it started rusting away yet?
Which is why I said take off the trim. Unless you are lucky, you have a good chance of needing a body shop before you need a glass fitter.
If the screen is creaking, the most common cause is that it's not bonded in properly. Lube will merely coat the surfaces which are rubbing together to create the noise. To that effect, you might as well just turn the radio up or drive around with a pair of ear defenders on. Same thing.
avaF1 said:
lift trim............squirt Pedro's Ice Wax.............job jobbed...........a 93 owner at the garage swears by this............
Lol - yeah I remember buying some Pedro's ice wax off eBay when I had my 993 coupe with a squeaky screen and being amazed that it does work and the squeak was gone. Had to renew the treatment about once a year but it was a very effective solution and pretty low cost whilst only taking about one minute to do the job.I have no doubt that engaging Glassman's services would give you the best and longest term result though. I get the impression he's quite pedantic from his regular contributions on the forum but from the detailed information he often provides and the huge number of testimonials and positive reports I've seen from many satisfied customers I think you can be confident he can back up his claims that he knows what he's talking about.
If I still had a coupe I'd probably get him to fix the windscreen because I remember it's a pretty annoying fault if it's been badly fitted and it squeaks.
Instead, I've downgraded from a coupe to a 993 cab. Take it from me if you buy the convertible model you'll never have to worry about a squeaky windscreen again. The noises from the vibrating roof, creaking bodywork, rattling windows and wind whistling through all of the cracks, gaps and seals means that you have to have the stereo up full blast to hear any of the music. And with all that cacophony of noise there is no chance of hearing the windscreen even if it does squeak!
:-) :-)
Glassman said:
If the screen is creaking, the most common cause is that it's not bonded in properly. Lube will merely coat the surfaces which are rubbing together to create the noise. To that effect, you might as well just turn the radio up or drive around with a pair of ear defenders on. Same thing.
Not bonded in properly, like this...
Long story short. A long time ago at speed in the rain, my 993's windscreen began to splash small amounts of water through the base of its windscreen air vents. But did not squeak or creak at all. I took it to an OPC and they 'fixed' the problem. Got the car back and immediately the windscreen began to squeak and creak very noisily. Took it back to the OPC and they 'fixed' it again... but still the same problem. So I took it to Porsche Reading and told them either fix it properly or I will give it to the lawyers. They gave it to "their best official bodyshop" to fix it. A few years later, paint blister bubbles began to appear on either side of the windscreen base. So I took it back to "their best official bodyshop" who told me to jog on. I went back to Porsche and told them that they had a legal obligation and my lawyer will 100% be more expensive than theirs. They agreed and had one of their other official bodyshops remedy the problem. The above pictures are what the 2nd bodyshop found...
Firstly may I thank everyone for their input on this topic, I didn't realise my simple question would spark such differing views on a suitable resolve.
I love the idea of a quick, cheap solution but I also believe "if a job's worth doing it's worth doing well" unfortunately on further inspection behind the rubber seal it appears to have had an attempt to resolve this problem previously with black mastic. I am now of the opinion the only true way to go is to remove the screen, clean the frame and have it fitted correctly. That will also allow me to inspect the condition of the frame and deal with that if necessary before it becomes a bigger problem.
After all it is a 993 and it most certainly deserves the best treatment.
Kind Regards Chris
I love the idea of a quick, cheap solution but I also believe "if a job's worth doing it's worth doing well" unfortunately on further inspection behind the rubber seal it appears to have had an attempt to resolve this problem previously with black mastic. I am now of the opinion the only true way to go is to remove the screen, clean the frame and have it fitted correctly. That will also allow me to inspect the condition of the frame and deal with that if necessary before it becomes a bigger problem.
After all it is a 993 and it most certainly deserves the best treatment.
Kind Regards Chris
Chris-mac said:
I didn't realise my simple question would spark such differing views on a suitable resolve.
There are no differing views on resolution on this thread.What you need to do is find the cause. The cause will dictate the solution.
If the cause was only the trim, you can replace (or lubricate) the trim.
If the cause was a poorly-fitted screen only, you can refit the screen.
If the cause is rust in the lower corners of the aperture, you need to have a bodyshop do a proper job of fixing it - do it properly - do it once.
Ask for recommendations, because as you saw above, some bodyshops are less equal than others.
Chris-mac said:
Firstly may I thank everyone for their input on this topic, I didn't realise my simple question would spark such differing views on a suitable resolve.
I love the idea of a quick, cheap solution but I also believe "if a job's worth doing it's worth doing well" unfortunately on further inspection behind the rubber seal it appears to have had an attempt to resolve this problem previously with black mastic. I am now of the opinion the only true way to go is to remove the screen, clean the frame and have it fitted correctly. That will also allow me to inspect the condition of the frame and deal with that if necessary before it becomes a bigger problem.
After all it is a 993 and it most certainly deserves the best treatment.
Kind Regards Chris
Let's hope it's nothing sinister or expensive. Fingers crossed. I love the idea of a quick, cheap solution but I also believe "if a job's worth doing it's worth doing well" unfortunately on further inspection behind the rubber seal it appears to have had an attempt to resolve this problem previously with black mastic. I am now of the opinion the only true way to go is to remove the screen, clean the frame and have it fitted correctly. That will also allow me to inspect the condition of the frame and deal with that if necessary before it becomes a bigger problem.
After all it is a 993 and it most certainly deserves the best treatment.
Kind Regards Chris
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