DIY Window Rattle Repair (not regulator)

Greetings All,
I had a major rattle in my driver's door. It sounded like the window would almost shatter when I closed the door with the window down. I looked through the forum and all seemed to lead me to replacing a window regulator. I watched BSW's youtube.com video on how to remove a E46 door panel and charged on. After removing the airbag and foam seal around the door, I inspected the regulator and snugged up the nuts (although they seemed to be tight). I got in the car and closed the door again only to find the problem still there. I then got a light out and looked inside the door. Nothing at first, but then I remembered something my Dad told me when working on anything. "When something is broken, check the floor first to know where to look next". Low and behold, there was a shiny nut laying inside of the bottom of the door. It is the nut that holds on the top of the rail that the glass slides up and down on. I put the nut back on and put everything back together and it shuts nice and quiet now. I hope this helps anyone with a door rattle problem that is not regulator related! I will post some pictures of the offending nut and its proper location.

i have an '02 540i sport that has the exact same problem. window regulators seem to be fine, but if i close the door with the window down or even partially down it rattles in a terrible way! i've scoured all the e39 boards but couldn't find definite solution. i've been hoping to find a more realistic culprit before dismantling my door panels and i think this could be it. only odd thing on mine is it happens on all 4 doors. i guess i'll tear one door apart and go from there. thanks for sharing your problem and solution.

I have one door that does that, the driver door and quess what? it is the only one that had ever been pulled up, hmmmmmm

Thanks for posting the solution to your problem. I'm surprised you never got more responses, but I guess that may be because you posted your solution and not a question. Anyhow, I had a post going on the E39 thread looking for a solution to the same problem that I was having. I was not getting much help over there at first, just alot of people saying they thought that was normal. I stumbled on your thread and thought that my solution was probably the same. Last night I tackled the job and sure enough, as soon as I pulled the window out I heard a bolt fall inside the door. Screwed it back in and PRESTO, problem solved!

Tilting one side as the window slides up or down on my E46. I suspect the mechanism that holds the window got loose and displays too much free play. I shall try this weekend to see if I manage to find any shining nut on the floor.

I have the exact same problem with my passenger door making that sound when the window is down. It sounds like one day its just gonna shatter lol...im gonna check it out and see if i have the same problem because as far as i know my regulator is fine.

Same problem here. I'll take a look. Thanks !

i have the same problem, i hope the solution will be the same :|

does anyone have a link to a diy on door panel removal?

Originally Posted by jillthevet

does anyone have a link to a diy on door panel removal?

You mean as in to take the door panel off?

Here's my write-up for the right rear:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...44&postcount=4

In case some of the solutions posted here have not solved your rattling door on your BMW, here is what solved mine. In my case, my x5 was rattling on the passenger side due to one of the regulator cables touching the frame of the door. There is two cables, but only one has a clamp to keep it from touching the frame of the door. So, I just zip tied the loose cable to the one that did have the clamp, and the rattle is now gone! I hope this helps...

I have the same thing going on with my E39 I'll take a look thanks.