lexusfan05

My 05 rx330 has a door rattle that sounds like a loose spring. It sounds like a cricket chirping inside while on road. If I slam the door close, I can reproduce he sound. I think it happens on both doors. Anyone has the same issue?

suraj83

it may not be the door.....check for loose platic panels on the underside of the car. i had the same problem, but found it to be a loose molded panel on the underside...

draco

Anyone got instructions on how to remove the door panel?

draco

Actually found it through another thread

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=...thkey=CMDIxccM

lexus114

WOW! Great find draco!

draco

Can't take the credit unfortunately. The original thread is located here https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...l-removal.html

Sandhopper

Figured out how to take my rear passenger door panel off this evening. Realized last weekend that it wasn't my son's fault he could never open the door... The child lock had slipped off its peg inside the locking mechanism. Ended up taking the whole lock out to fix it. I did notice that with all the wires and retaining clips there is ample opportunity for rattles. I am just glad I didn't have to replace any parts this time. Also as a side note... When you disconnect the window switch to remove the panel, the window switch needs to be reset by running the window all the way up. Otherwise the light on the switch will flash and you will not be able to open or close the window with the drivers controls. And you may needlessly take the door back apart to figure out what you messed up...Ooops. Also remember to make sure you do not close the door with the panel on and the door lock not connected. Thought I screwed up royally when I closed the door while trying the trouble shoot that window switch. glad I was able to get my hand behind the panel to pull the lock cable. :0)

lexusfan05

suraj83, it's not the underside plastic panel, I checked it already and it has a foam pad at the end where it's not bolted down and it would be a different type of rattle in that case.
I took off the door panel and banged on the door with my palm couple of times and was able to reproduce the sound. It stops completely when the window is down. Sounds like it's coming from the window glass rail on the left side (the vertical metal channel towards the B piller the glass travels on) I tighetened the bolt at the bootom that attaches the bottom of the rail to the door but it didn't fix it, but I think it's happening less frequently. I'm pretty sure that when the window is rolled down, it prevents the rail from vibrating but when it's rolled up, the rail is virbrating.

Does anyone know how the upper tip of the rail is attached to the door metal, or is there other anchor points? Obviously it aligns with the door frame channel so that the glass can travel up seamlessly. The only other option I have is to pack some styrofoam behind the channel so that it can't vibrate.

lexusfan05

Finally figured it out. I could touch the window rail in the door cavity and reproduce the vibration, so I tightened the lower bolt more until the vibration stopped. All happy now.
I drove toyota/honda/lexus for 23 years but never had such an issue, but they were all assembled in Japan. This is the first time I got a NA assembled car. I guess the Japanease guys know how to tighten a bolt.