Noisy/creaking rubbing window run seals

I’m posting this in hopes that someone has found a solution to the window channel run seals making creaking/squeaking/rubbing noises when the front windows are rolled up and the window is rubbing against the channels when driving over bumps. Photo below is of the part I’m referring to that’s 100% causing the noise (the rubber track and surrounds the windows). Basically, when driving over any road that’s not perfectly smooth, the window itself moves and subsequently causes the noise when it’s rolled up and pressed against the window runs. I even bought brand new OEM run seals in hopes that it would fix the noise but if anything it made it even louder. At first I thought it was the run seals rubbing against the door metal, but I lined the metal with thin cloth sound proofing tape and it still persists. I’ve narrowed it down to just the inside of the window run channel where it touches the glass. I’ve tried silicone but it doesn’t help and I’m out of ideas. It seems to be that the rubber on the window runs is just squeaky. Has anyone found a solution to this?

 

Normally silicone spray will fix this issue, I wonder if maybe it's not applied to surfaces where the friction is occurring? Also, it's very weird that it persists even with new seals. I would try the silicone again, but make sure to apply enough to the seal where the outer part of the glass rides against it. You could also try a grease with a teflon additive like Superlube 92003. The grease may require you to remove the door panels and lube the bottom part of the seal lower in the track, but try just lubing the upper area first and running the window up and down. Try the silicone spray again, first, before you buy another product like the grease, and let us know what happens.

 

Silicon spray fixes the squeaking for me, for about two weeks.

 

It's a design issue. You'll notice that on sedans or higher end vehicles, those are felt lined and snugger fit.

Tacoma is a truck at the end of the day. Not built to be quiet or squeak-free.

 

You sure its not the door itself? Took a long time to track down on my truck. Flex makes its way from the frame through the cab and causes the doors to shift ever so slightly

Silicone spray on the door seals silences the noise, but only for a few weeks. Obviously the upper part of the door seal is very close to the window, so the noise might be transferring

 

It’s funny you say that because that’s exactly what it was. I spent many hours trying to troubleshoot this and just finally realized it yesterday before I just read your comment. I was convinced it was the window and run seals because I could feel movement and recreate the noise when inside the truck and pushing up against them. I tried a boat load of silicone inside the track and I even added window weather guards yesterday thinking that a tighter seated closed window with less movement would help reduce noise. Nothing helped. Then when the door was open I noticed I couldn’t recreate the noise and realized it was the rubber from the run seals rubbing against the door weather strip. I applied silicone to the door weatherstrip and the noise is 100% gone. So the window run seal IS part of the equation as it is the piece rubbing against the door weather strip, but in my case the weatherstrip attached to the body is making the noise. Have you considered replacing it? I’m assuming these trucks weren’t squeaking out of the factory and new rubber should remedy the noise.

 

Nice!

No, I have not considered replacing them. I figure the noise will return eventually with the amount of dust and dirt my truck sees. For now I just hit it with silicone once in a while. Though I wonder if something like wax or ceramic coating on that part of the paint would be a longer lasting solution?

 

New rubber seals will usually have some sort of a "outer layer" that reduces friction, but over time they can rub raw and then get tacky/sticky.

There is a product you can buy that restores the smooth sheen to rubber:

$13 nextzett 91480615 'Gummi Pflege Stift' Rubber Care Stick - 3.4 fl. oz

https://www.amazon.com/nextzett-91480615-Gummi-Pflege-Rubber/dp/B004B8GTQG

 

mine used to squeak creek when driving down the road. found a video about putting some "packing" i used some home door seal and stuffed it behind that door window trim behind the plastic triangle near the mirror mount.

hope my reply doesnt sound too silly its a little late here

 

Thanks for this. I read your comment and actually tried just a turtle wax plastic trim restorer and it made the weatherstrip rubber look new and completely eliminated the noise. Not sure how long it’ll last though. Is that gummi pfledge supposed to last a long time?

 

No product can replace the wear/age on something, so long lasting does not apply here.
But the gummipfledge is a dedicated conditioner and has a "bingo marker" type of sponge built in so you can easily give your seals a wipe a few times a year.

 

My seals look great but make noise I use sc1 it is great for the other plastic on your truck
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https://a.co/d/g3YhCpO