How to Deal with Squeaking Sounds When Opening Car Doors?

[NorahDella]

Solutions for abnormal noises when opening and closing car doors: 1. Check for aging: Inspect whether the door seals are aged, and it is recommended to replace the seals; 2. Check for foreign objects: Examine the door gaps for any foreign objects, which need to be cleaned out; 3. Poorly fixed components: Abnormal noises caused by poorly fixed components between the door parts can be resolved by tightening the screws; 4. Insufficient body stiffness: Friction between steel plates due to insufficient body stiffness or welding detachment, and it is recommended to have it repaired at a maintenance shop. Design requirements for car doors: 1. Ensure convenience for passengers getting on and off, with the opening angle controlled at around 65 to 70 degrees; 2. No positional interference with other parts during the opening process; 3. Reliable locking when the door is closed, preventing it from opening on its own while driving; 4. Good sealing performance; 5. Large light-transmitting area to meet lateral visibility requirements; 6. Sufficient strength and stiffness to ensure reliable door operation, reduce door vibrations, enhance vehicle lateral collision safety, and prevent door sagging.

[Jeffrey]

Last year, my car door also kept squeaking, and the mechanic taught me to use WD-40 lubricant to fix it. First, open the door to locate the hinges and door check, usually near the door pivot. Cover the car paint with an old cloth, spray twice on the metal parts, then open and close the door several times to let the oil penetrate. Don’t wipe it off immediately after spraying—let it evaporate for half an hour. Sometimes the door lock mechanism also makes clicking noises; just remove the door panel and apply some grease to the latch. If the noise is caused by door deformation and friction, it’s more troublesome, and you’ll need to visit a body shop to adjust the hinge position. I spray lubricant quarterly as a preventive measure, and it hasn’t squeaked for two years now. When washing the car, remember to rinse away sand particles from the hinge gaps—these small details can extend the lifespan of the parts.

[LeViolet]

I often encounter door squeaking issues, which are mostly caused by lack of lubrication in the hinges. You can first try a cost-effective folk remedy: rub a pencil back and forth on the hinge pivot - graphite provides temporary lubrication. If the noise persists, buy a specialized hinge lubricant at an auto parts store; it costs around 7-8 yuan and can be used multiple times. Before applying, clean off old grease thoroughly using a toothbrush dipped in gasoline to scrub the joint area. The most extreme case I've seen was wear on the door check strap, which required complete replacement. Squeaking is particularly common after rainy days, indicating aged weatherstripping rubbing against the door frame - spraying some dashboard wax on the rubber seal works well then. When DIY-ing, be careful not to let lubricant drip onto door seals as it can cause corrosion and cracking.

[RiverAnn]

All three cars in my household have experienced door opening noises, and I've summarized practical solutions. First, identify the sound source: short squeaks are usually hinge issues, while dull rubbing sounds may indicate door sagging compressing the weatherstrip. For hinge problems, liquid grease is recommended (spray types tend to attract dust). Open the door fully to expose the pivot points, then apply grease to each joint using cotton swabs. Pay special attention to the metal door check - this component bears the entire door's weight. Noises worsening during rain indicate moist weatherstrips; applying baby powder provides instant relief. If DIY fixes fail after three attempts, consider professional adjustment - typical hinge screw adjustment labor costs around 50 yuan.

[LaRafael]

To deal with door squeaks, I adhere to a preventive approach. Every time I wash the car, I ask the attendant to use an air gun to blow out the hinge gaps to prevent sand accumulation. I opt for silicone-based grease for maintenance, which is gentle on rubber parts and offers long-lasting performance. When applying, first clean the door hinges—a toothbrush and carburetor cleaner can handle stubborn dirt. Don’t over-apply the lubricant; a thin coat is sufficient, as excess grease attracts dust. I’ve encountered cases where door misalignment caused squeaks due to long-term uneven parking stressing the hinges, which were resolved after adjustment. If rubber seals age and cause friction, wiping them with glycerin both moisturizes and eliminates noise. Remember, squeaks are more common in winter than summer, as low temperatures thicken the grease—switching to freeze-resistant lubricant solves this.