Throughout the 3rd gen years what were some of the things GM did to make our cars squeek,rattle less ...... I would like to try stuff to quiet my 82 down bit. Since making it my daily driver rattles and squeeks are becoming more and more evident.

 

There are a lot of little things, but nothing that would really be a magic bullet. You could get some subframe connectors welded in, replace all the weatherstripping, replace all the rubber snubbers, etc. Most of the little things were changes in how the lock rods were insulated in the doors, and minor bracing and weatherstripping design changes. Also there are some snubber design changes and additions.

 

I've got SFC, strut tower brace, and a wonder bar. I've replaced my weather stripping and the car still creaks, rattles and squeaks. I'm pretty sure most of my problem is related to the lack of a top (which also rattles).

What else can I do? One day I'll rebuild the doors which makes a lot of noise.

 

If the factory rubber bushings (sway bars / end links, LCA's, Panhard bar, rear shocks, A - Arms....) is still in place, upgrading those would help...

I have sfc's, wonder bar, stb, most of the things described above... it's much better... but I still have to do my doors & sound deaden the car too...

Raf

 

well my doors suprisingly enough don't rattle a bit and when shut have a solid sound to them. my annoying noises are creaks in front of the car. and the hatch is always making funny *** noises. well what can a 24y/o car be expected to be like

 

what is a "snubber"?

 

I was also considering putting T-top door wedges in my car as well. As for all the rubber bumpers & stuff they are all in excellent condition on this car. My weatherstipping is also in perfect condition.

I am curious if putting factory type seam sealant in more places would help the creaks and squeeks.

 

Just because the weatherstripping is in perfect shape, doesn't mean it hasn't flattened over the years. My 14k mile original car needs new weatherstripping. It still looks excellent, but I can tell that the car would be more solid with new stuff. It's usually designed to last 10-12 years, so at 20, it's time for change.

 

Scott you make a good point on the weather strip.My Parents '95 Olds 88 sat under a carport covered it's whole life,only 34K miles,and you could tell the weather stripping wasn't as compliant as new.She was only 10 years old an not subjected to the elements most of it's life.Also I occassionally sprayed them done with silicone.It compresses/conforms to the shape it's at most.

The rubber snubbers are the bump stops on the doors and around the hood and hatch.Make sure the stops for the hood and hatch are properly adjusted makes a difference to.

Suspension bushings(control arms.stabilizers bars)do make a big difference.The end links on my '83 were worn out when I got her and the front bar rattled,not to mention being basically useless.Replacing the end links eliminated one noise cause.

Now if i could just find a way to tighten the loose nut between the steering wheel and the seat will help a lot.

 

Check the following link for some quieting ideas:

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

JamesC

 

My '86 rattled quite a bit. My wife called the car "shake, rattle and roll". Of course with 250,000 miles what could be expected. I changed the doors and that was a big step towards a quite ride.

My '92 is a very quite car. The doors are near perfect and only my passanger door lock rod makes noise when left unlocked. I plan to deal with that in the next 60 days, although just locking the door solves that problem. 125,000 miles on her but only a summer car so that may have something to do with it.

 

- Having a T-Top car the 1st thing was SFC's followed by a Hothckiss Strut tower brace. That eliminated like 90% of noise. I then spent a number of hours just tightening all the bodywork, fender bolts, suspension stuff,even mtr mounts. Anything I could lay a socket or wrench on got snugged up. Even went under the dash too. Amazing what a 1/4 turn will do to quiet things down, Joe

 

yeah, no more than a 1/4 turn though!!

 

Starting with '91 and followed through to '92, didn't GM use a new bonding agent (glue) to help stiffen the cars out - especially with the convertables...
-Andrew