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[Lizzie_Zoom]

.......that is driving me mad every time I open or close my drivers door!

After obtaining a new special "bushing" (Vx part no. 090462823) well before Christmas, I have at last fitted it.  However, the noise is now worse and sounds as though the door is going to blow apart!

I have taken off the door card and tried to reach the internal part of the 'door stop' mechanism, without any great success, but have at least greased it all up, but still it is going .....clickity clack.......clickity clack........clickity clack....grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Any ideas please?? :-? :-? :-?

[HGV mechanic]

hinges maybe not sure but can imagine your pain

[Lizzie_Zoom]

hinges maybe not sure but can imagine your pain

Thanks HGV , but it is not the hinges but that silly sliding 'door stop' for sure that seems to be "twanging" the panels!

[jjleonard]

Is this the door check strap issue? my drivers door sounds like a bleeding wooden drawbridge when I open it. I was planning to do the check strap but it's just too flaming cold at the moment.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Is this the door check strap issue? my drivers door sounds like a bleeding wooden drawbridge when I open it. I was planning to do the check strap but it's just too flaming cold at the moment.

Yes Leonard, you are using the correct word for it; I call it a bloody stupid thingy

What do you think we can do about it?

I know eventually the mountings are going to 'pop' if I don't do something, and I am certainly going to 'flip' big time rather thing!

[Marks DTM Calib]

Are the bolts that secure the check strap to the door tight?

Any sign of damage to the metal section where the bolts are on the door?

[jjleonard]

Is this the door check strap issue? my drivers door sounds like a bleeding wooden drawbridge when I open it. I was planning to do the check strap but it's just too flaming cold at the moment.

Yes Leonard, you are using the correct word for it; I call it a bloody stupid thingy

What do you think we can do about it?

I know eventually the mountings are going to 'pop' if I don't do something, and I am certainly going to 'flip' big time rather thing!

Right now Lizzie, I have no idea. I'm just going to get the bits, follow the guide and hope it all works when I do it. As far as I can see the check strap just stops the door swinging past the hinge stop when it's open - perhaps you might be better off with a sturdy bit of string when the check strap finally gives in!  

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Are the bolts that secure the check strap to the door tight?

Any sign of damage to the metal section where the bolts are on the door?

Yes thanks Mark, all bolts have been tightened, and there is no external sign of damage to the metal panels; the fixing plate on the main pillar is riveted and at the moment sound. 8-)  

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Is this the door check strap issue? my drivers door sounds like a bleeding wooden drawbridge when I open it. I was planning to do the check strap but it's just too flaming cold at the moment.

Yes Leonard, you are using the correct word for it; I call it a bloody stupid thingy

What do you think we can do about it?

I know eventually the mountings are going to 'pop' if I don't do something, and I am certainly going to 'flip' big time rather thing!

Right now Lizzie, I have no idea. I'm just going to get the bits, follow the guide and hope it all works when I do it. As far as I can see the check strap just stops the door swinging past the hinge stop when it's open - perhaps you might be better off with a sturdy bit of string when the check strap finally gives in!  

That sound like a good idea Leonard, but perhaps leather (which they once were in early cars) straps would be better? :-?

[benbrunt]

Or just parking facing uphill if it snaps  

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Or just parking facing uphill if it snaps  

 

[Omega man 2]

My drivers door is very noisy atm. And I don't know how the straps work. Is there bushings that have to be changed? If so where are they?

[Kevin Wood]

Mine's the same. Keep meaning to get a new check strap as the bush was replaced recently. Will probably fit the reinforcement kit while I'm at it, and change the central locking motor,.....  

Kevin

[benbrunt]

Previous Astra did it, Omega sounds just the same, few Astras at work do it too, have oiled it but to no avail - I'll add it to the list of things to do, pretty much at the bottom of the list, so should be done by 2012

[Entwood]

How to avoid the "crack of doom"

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1161105965

If its already done the damage ...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152902108

HTH

[benbrunt]

How to avoid the "crack of doom"

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1161105965

If its already done the damage ...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152902108

HTH

Ooh, I dunno, seems a bit pricey to me!

[Kevin Wood]

How to avoid the "crack of doom"

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1161105965

If its already done the damage ...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152902108

HTH

I wonder how the two are related, TBH. Not sure how a bit of play in the bush can result in the mechanism getting ripped out of the door.

I replaced one of these for a member a few months back and the spring on the check strap had a little roller on the end to allow it to run up and down the strap. This had worked loose and slipped out of position. The check strap mechanism had jammed and this had caused the damage to the door as the door was moved against a jammed strap.

This is why I intend to change the check strap itself.

Anyone know the part no. of the door check strap assembly itself, by chance?

Kevin

[Lizzie_Zoom]

How to avoid the "crack of doom"

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1161105965

If its already done the damage ...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152902108

HTH

Thanks greatly for that Entwood!

Although I have replaced the bush, and dismantled the door card, I couldn't get to the door end of the strap.  That link you have given obviously makes it clear how to and to mount reinforcement plates which is obviously what I need to do.  A job for this weekend me thinks!!

Thanks again

[Kevin Wood]

Lizzie, If you remove the door speaker and reach up through the hole you can get to the rear of the strap.

Kevin

[Entwood]

As I understand it ... and TB or MarkDTM will probably correct me .....

If the bush is knacked the strap does not "pivot" correctly as the door opens, this puts additional sideways stress on the point where the strap enters the door, this stress causes resistance to the rolling movement of the strap and ends up pulling on the metal rather than a smooth slide.

This pull can be "heard" as the clunking from the door area, every "clunk" is the door metal moving - a bit like an old "wobble board" - this slowly weakens the metal structure until it suffers fatigue and cracks.

The repair kit strengthens the metal around the opening, replacing the bushes relieves the stress on the "pull" of the door movement.

Awaits to be told he's talking bol**cks .. but that is my, present, understanding ...

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Lizzie, If you remove the door speaker and reach up through the hole you can get to the rear of the strap.

Kevin

Thanks Kevin; I did reach up through the speaker hole, but apart from feeling around the mechanism I didn't know what to do next!

I am  going to now follow through with Entwood's suggested approach.

Anything to resolve this very annoying problem!!

[Shagma]

Had this problem myself.
Changed the plastic bush and oiled and greased the innside of the bush.
Tighten up the bolts holding the door check strap.
Acctually I had much more problems than that, but this is the short version;)

[Kevin Wood]

As I understand it ... and TB or MarkDTM will probably correct me .....

If the bush is knacked the strap does not "pivot" correctly as the door opens, this puts additional sideways stress on the point where the strap enters the door, this stress causes resistance to the rolling movement of the strap and ends up pulling on the metal rather than a smooth slide.

This pull can be "heard" as the clunking from the door area, every "clunk" is the door metal moving - a bit like an old "wobble board" - this slowly weakens the metal structure until it suffers fatigue and cracks.

The repair kit strengthens the metal around the opening, replacing the bushes relieves the stress on the "pull" of the door movement.

Awaits to be told he's talking bol**cks .. but that is my, present, understanding ...

OK. If it siezes I can understand it. Mine was just worn, and you could see that the noises were due to the strap wobbling on the bush as the spring on the strap went over each detent. It sounds more like something in the door now, so I will check for a siezed bush.

Kevin

[Del Boy]

Mine has this on both doors and its so annoying but the plate it coming off from where it is held on   I need to weld that.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Mine has this on both doors and its so annoying but the plate it coming off from where it is held on   I need to weld that.

Or drill bolts into the plate as I remember it being described on this site many months ago.  I was sure somewhere there is a maintenance guide on it, but cannot find at the moment!

 

[Del Boy]

Mine has this on both doors and its so annoying but the plate it coming off from where it is held on   I need to weld that.

Or drill bolts into the plate as I remember it being described on this site many months ago.  I was sure somewhere there is a maintenance guide on it, but cannot find at the moment!

 

Tried that   Now I have 2 holes in there too.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Mine has this on both doors and its so annoying but the plate it coming off from where it is held on   I need to weld that.

Or drill bolts into the plate as I remember it being described on this site many months ago.  I was sure somewhere there is a maintenance guide on it, but cannot find at the moment!

 

Tried that   Now I have 2 holes in there too.

Right! 8-) 8-)  Going for all belt and braces LSG then??

[Del Boy]

Mine has this on both doors and its so annoying but the plate it coming off from where it is held on   I need to weld that.

Or drill bolts into the plate as I remember it being described on this site many months ago.  I was sure somewhere there is a maintenance guide on it, but cannot find at the moment!

 

Tried that   Now I have 2 holes in there too.

Right! 8-) 8-)  Going for all belt and braces LSG then??

[BigAl]

How to avoid the "crack of doom"

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1161105965

If its already done the damage ...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152902108

HTH

Thanks greatly for that Entwood!

Although I have replaced the bush, and dismantled the door card, I couldn't get to the door end of the strap.  That link you have given obviously makes it clear how to and to mount reinforcement plates which is obviously what I need to do.  A job for this weekend me thinks!!

Thanks again

If you have a facelift it may differ slightly from the guide- when i followed the above guide the only exception was my doors already had the tork bolts fitted- that confused the hell out of me when i went to refit the bolts and they were all the same  
the procedure is exactly as described, - the only fiddly bits are trying to get the check strap back into place with the inside bracket in place and then getting the bolts through the outside bracket, the car door, the inside bracket and finally the check strap, best done by someone who is patient  

[Lizzie_Zoom]

How to avoid the "crack of doom"

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1161105965

If its already done the damage ...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152902108

HTH

Thanks greatly for that Entwood!

Although I have replaced the bush, and dismantled the door card, I couldn't get to the door end of the strap.  That link you have given obviously makes it clear how to and to mount reinforcement plates which is obviously what I need to do.  A job for this weekend me thinks!!

Thanks again

If you have a facelift it may differ slightly from the guide- when i followed the above guide the only exception was my doors already had the tork bolts fitted- that confused the hell out of me when i went to refit the bolts and they were all the same  
the procedure is exactly as described, - the only fiddly bits are trying to get the check strap back into place with the inside bracket in place and then getting the bolts through the outside bracket, the car door, the inside bracket and finally the check strap, best done by someone who is patient  

Oh dear!  That is not me then!

[Seth]

How to avoid the "crack of doom"

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1161105965

If its already done the damage ...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152902108

Got a replacement from local scrappie for four quid.
Bugger of a job to fit though ..... !
HTH

Ooh, I dunno, seems a bit pricey to me!

[Shagma]

I strongly advice removing the door and put it flat on the ground before starting on this task, this way you can place the door check strap on the correct spot easily.. Its easy acctualy..

[Lizzie_Zoom]

I strongly advice removing the door and put it flat on the ground before starting on this task, this way you can place the door check strap on the correct spot easily.. Its easy acctualy..

Cheers for that Shagma, may try that!

[Shagma]

performed this repair on my left side front door, took me about 1 hour all in all.. putting in a flat steel brick to reinforce the area..Good luck:)

[Entwood]

I strongly advice removing the door and put it flat on the ground before starting on this task, this way you can place the door check strap on the correct spot easily.. Its easy acctualy..

Cheers for that Shagma, may try that!

Just remember that miggy doors are Bloody Heavy ... take a lot of care .... and get some strong lads in to help ....

[Kevin Wood]

I strongly advice removing the door and put it flat on the ground before starting on this task, this way you can place the door check strap on the correct spot easily.. Its easy acctualy..

Cheers for that Shagma, may try that!

Just remember that miggy doors are Bloody Heavy ... take a lot of care .... and get some strong lads in to help ....

.. and if you don't disconnect the battery first the airbag ECU will get in a strop.

Personally, I didn't find it too bad to change the strap. a bit fiddly to get everything lined up but not bad enough to justify removing the door IMHO.

Kevin

[Andy B]

......
Personally, I didn't find it too bad to change the strap. a bit fiddly to get everything lined up but not bad enough to justify removing the door IMHO.

Kevin

It might be easier if you did as per TIS and replaced the failed section in the front edge of the door.
This is the driver's side :-


Both my front doors have been 'repaired' using just stainless repair plates though!    

[Lizzie_Zoom]

I strongly advice removing the door and put it flat on the ground before starting on this task, this way you can place the door check strap on the correct spot easily.. Its easy acctualy..

Cheers for that Shagma, may try that!

Just remember that miggy doors are Bloody Heavy ... take a lot of care .... and get some strong lads in to help ....

You are right Entwood and I hadn't given that much thought!
Thanks!

I think I will do what you and Kevin suggests and try it first without taking the door off. 8-) 8-)  I just don't want to make this operation more difficult than it should be, and I am certainly not strong enough to support that door.  My two sons are a long off, and the few men I know locally are all wimps!

[Lizzie_Zoom]

......
Personally, I didn't find it too bad to change the strap. a bit fiddly to get everything lined up but not bad enough to justify removing the door IMHO.

Kevin

It might be easier if you did as per TIS and replaced the failed section in the front edge of the door.
This is the driver's side :-


Both my front doors have been 'repaired' using just stainless repair plates though!    

Thanks Andy!

Is that the Vx part number I can see in black ink on the plate? :-/

Do you fit it from inside the door?  i.e. vi the speaker hole? :-?

Cheers

[Andy B]

.....


Thanks Andy!

Is that the Vx part number I can see in black ink on the plate? :-/

Do you fit it from inside the door?  i.e. vi the speaker hole? :-?

Cheers

Yes Lizzie, that's the part number, it was only a few quid to buy a couple of years back. It's still in my garage because on reflection the full TIS repair wasn't worth the effort. If you look at the front edge of the door, near the hinge, you can see where this palte was originally spot welded in. I think you'd have to strip the door of all the window mechanism so you could get in to drill the spot welds off from the INSIDE of the door. The new plate would then have to be plug welded back in.
Just use reinforcing plates on both sides of the door skin!    

[Lizzie_Zoom]

.....


Thanks Andy!

Is that the Vx part number I can see in black ink on the plate? :-/

Do you fit it from inside the door?  i.e. vi the speaker hole? :-?

Cheers

Yes Lizzie, that's the part number, it was only a few quid to buy a couple of years back. It's still in my garage because on reflection the full TIS repair wasn't worth the effort. If you look at the front edge of the door, near the hinge, you can see where this palte was originally spot welded in. I think you'd have to strip the door of all the window mechanism so you could get in to drill the spot welds off from the INSIDE of the door. The new plate would then have to be plug welded back in.
Just use reinforcing plates on both sides of the door skin!    

Thanks again Andy!

[Shagma]

I strongly advice removing the door and put it flat on the ground before starting on this task, this way you can place the door check strap on the correct spot easily.. Its easy acctualy..

Cheers for that Shagma, may try that!

Just remember that miggy doors are Bloody Heavy ... take a lot of care .... and get some strong lads in to help ....

.. and if you don't disconnect the battery first the airbag ECU will get in a strop.

Personally, I didn't find it too bad to change the strap. a bit fiddly to get everything lined up but not bad enough to justify removing the door IMHO.

Kevin

Maybe I have misread the thread, but I thought the front door section was damaged, and needed insertion plates.
In case the door is still functional I truely support your view, NOT to remove the door.
I apoligize for that confusing comment.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

I strongly advice removing the door and put it flat on the ground before starting on this task, this way you can place the door check strap on the correct spot easily.. Its easy acctualy..

Cheers for that Shagma, may try that!

Just remember that miggy doors are Bloody Heavy ... take a lot of care .... and get some strong lads in to help ....

.. and if you don't disconnect the battery first the airbag ECU will get in a strop.

Personally, I didn't find it too bad to change the strap. a bit fiddly to get everything lined up but not bad enough to justify removing the door IMHO.

Kevin

Maybe I have misread the thread, but I thought the front door section was damaged, and needed insertion plates.
In case the door is still functional I truely support your view, NOT to remove the door.
I apoligize for that confusing comment.

Not at all Shagma, your comments were in fact extremely useful to me and if plan  'A' doesn't work, then your plan 'B' will be my approach! 8-)


Not doing it this weekend though; far too cold out there!

[cbowditch]

I don't blame you its the warmest part of the day and only reached -3.5   Can't even wash the car let alone do anything more complex in this cold

[Marks DTM Calib]

I dont know.....just finished doing the front discs, pads and an oil change on one of mine!

[HCG]

Hey - smug git here - had the "clickity clack" bit and spent 58p on two neoprene bushes for the front door straps. 5 minutes with my not-so-good-tool skills and bloody hell it fixed it. It's a 2003 by the way.

[Olympia5776]

As was said earlier ,if you remove the door speaker and reach up into the cavity you'll find the door check strap mechanism and this is it below.
The problem is usually the roller seizes which transfers the click ,as the roller drops into the valley of the check , forward onto the A piller.
If you don't have the reinforcing plates fitted I strongly advise you to do it at the same time you check/clean grease the check mechnism.
If you need part nos. let me know 'cause the dealer will say that they don't exist.....
Don

[valliant72]

Hi, I used four large washers about a mill thick from B&Q to reinforce the strap surround. Fiddley to do but patience helps. On tightening, clamps the damaged surround. Done them about 6 months ago and still working fine on both front doors took the door strap out, flattened as much of the damaged surround as possible, greased the check strap put a washer on a bolt put that into its hole if any left then, put a washer on the other side and fed the strap upto the bolt and tightened a little just to give enough play to get the other bolt and the washer up inside then tightened them both and bolt strap to pillar. Hope its of some help. i found raising the car slightly on the side you are doing helps with the awkward position you need to get your hands in.

Ps: dam getting told off in text for abbreviating words. Texting has made my spelling worse. lol (oops laugh out loud)