I know I need to replace the weather seals

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...l#post5936182Z

What else makes the doors sound nice? What did they sound like new?

 

You might start with the following:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...servation.html

JamesC

 

Installing sound deadening helps change the sound of the door when it closes, gets rid of some of the 'oil canning'

 

I agree with putting sound deadening on the doors, but I also did a few other things too. Changed out the door seals, window felts, inner and outer window seals, and the door handles. All of the stuff I changed need to be replaced on my Iroc anyway so it was a no brainier for me, but when I shut that door it just sounds good!

My car also has subframe connectors and is a hardtop so it is pretty solid.

 

I'm pretty sure i don't have sub frame connectors - they were never stock right? I'll do the other stuff though.

 

New weather stripping and window seals really made a big difference in mine too.

 

No subframe connectors were an aftermarket add on. Only the convertibles had factory reenforcement, but I'm not too sure. If your car has ttops or is putting down some power I would recommend subframe connectors. I'm also going to put a strut tower brace in mine since it's going to put out double the HP it came from the factory with.

 

Without after market strut mounts, which eliminate the rubber, the STB won't be as effective as it could be.

JamesC

 

Guess I forgot to mention that part lol!

 

One thing to address is the door hinges. If the door is not lined up correctly it will hit on the striker and ride up before latching. Takes a good slam to get it shut. Lift up on the door while shutting it and you might see a real difference. Not so easy and not so cheap to fix this either.

 

It's common for the door handles to rattle due to missing springs, and also for the windows to rattle due to felt pad supports on the inside of door. Make sure the felt pads are not worn or they will scratch the windshield.
If you take the inner panel off you can listen to, and feel, different parts as you shut the door. Sometimes it's more of a hands on thing that varies from car to car.

 

When closing...That nice clunk is due to the door latch having a plastic shell over the steel piece.After a few years the plastic begins to break away, then its metal to metal against the striker.

All the above doesn't hurt either, especially while you're driving.Better door handles help/plastic dip on linkage ends, zip tie loose harness/wires.There's other stuff ive done I cant recall atm.

 

Here's one thing you can do. Go to a junkyard and find a 4th gen and unscrew the rear seat striker bolts. Most yards will usually give them to you free. Anyway, they are covered with plastic, and are the same size as your thirdgen door striker, trim the plastic off and glue it to your thirdgen door striker, it will replace the plastic that used to be on the little latch that's inside the door.

 

I found that the single biggest improvement to the door closing "clunk" was replacing the door handles. It's a cheap fix while you're in there. I put on 4th gen window sweeps (although that doesn't help the sound), new weather stripping, made sure all the hinges were aligned as well as the window, and cleaned EVERYTHING! ....it doesn't sound like brand new 2015 car, but it doesn't sound like it's falling apart either. It's loud still, but it sounds solid.

 

Many of the ideas being suggested appear in the link I provide above .

JamesC

 

I've been working on my 88 GTA trying to track down the noises coming from the door. The link above was a huge help. The bumper on my regulator was trashed causing metal to metal contact and noise over every bump. I had already replaced the upper and lower door bushings and lower hinge. The door still didn't close like I thought it should. I bought a new door latch and it made a HUGE difference. With that said, I have as much in the drivers door as I gave for the car. lol

 

Just did this job on my '85 T/A and I have to say that it made a world of difference! The old original seals looked just like the one in that photo from the link. Yes, the white plastic bits could be seen because the foam had deteriorated so much. I was able to get a set of door seals off Amazon for $62 and some change. These are the Metro brand which people have differing opinions about. I didn't have any problems installing them. The doors were a tad tight right after the install. I let them sit in the Southern California sun for four days and the seals took a "set" and now the doors close just fine. The first thing I noticed on my drive was that there was no more clunk and rattle. That alone brings a smile to my face!