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Subject: Solution to Window Clunk during one-touch lower Author: ripp222 : member since January, 2006 : 434 posts Posted on: 2009-01-09 10:09:38

It always irriated me that my front windows would "clunk" loudly when they reached their lowest point. I could stop using the one-touch lower feature, but I liked that feature and figured there must be a solution.

Searching BMW's technical website for SIB's related to windows, I came across SIB 51 01 98 "Improved Lower Window Stop" for the E38 and E39 vehicles. The article talks about an improved lower door window
stop for vehciles manufactured after 02/1998. My vehicle was built after this, but anything made to dampen a heavy piece of glass could certainly wear out...

So I ordered 4 of the "improved" 51 33 8 257 714 RUBBER BUFFER. I found it interesting that the part number is called out in ETK for the E39, but not the E38. Sure enough, it's a dense rubber stop.

Removing my door panel, then using a long blade to cut through the black vapor barrier sealant, I was able to feel around and pull out my old rubber buffer. It was very worn.

Original on the left, four new ones on the right...


Note how the center has permanently sunk down...


The metal stop has a recessed area and hole for retaining the Rubber Buffer, but this is hidden from view. Note the rubber grommet below - I removed this for assistance with installation of the new Rubber Buffer.


The SIB says to:
Wrap a piece of fine wire (e.g. parts tag wire) (2) around the tail of the new stop (1).
Apply Loctite Black Max to the sides of the recessed portion of the stop (3).
Wipe the contact surface of the holder to provide a clean surface for the adhesive.
Snake the wire through the hole in the holder and pull the new stop into place.
Snip off the excess wire. Apply petroleum jelly to the underside of the window carrier so that it cannot stick to the new stop.


I didn't have any fine wire, so used fishing line. This worked, but was much more difficult to feed through the openings. When I do the driver's door, I will be using wire...



I have a quick movie (3.8 MB) of the new dampened window stop, but am not sure if it will chew-up too much bandwidth if I post it?

My ride...

04/1999 build 740i, Anthracite w/ Black Montana Leather
MODS...
0-006-783 Clear Indicator Set w/ 6-904-837 & 838 Clear Tail Lights
9-115-032 MKIV Computer w/ 6-923-879 Widescreen Monitor
1-422-379 Vavona Wood / Leather Shift Lever
2-265-542 Wood & Chrome black headliner handles
6-964-398 New Gen BM53 Radio and 6-906-082 Antenna Amp
0-303-079 OEM reversing camera w/ 0-303-083 Video switchbox
Rear Seat Sunblind Control
Automatic Rear Headrests
Active Seats
Passenger Seat Memory

• Solution to Window Clunk during one-touch lower (pic) - ripp222 2009-01-09 10:09:38 (9456 views)
  • So those wouldn't work on my 09/96 build? (nt) - Ed 2009-01-11 00:47:12 (310 views)
  • Most of us have to replace the whole dam_ thing long before that little - drago 2009-01-10 20:46:38 (335 views)
  • Could you describe where it goes? I can't quite tell from the picture and video (nt) - JohnG 2009-01-10 18:15:50 (399 views)
    • 3rd photo, top red arrow points to a silver metal part. - ripp222 2009-01-11 15:52:08 (368 views)
  • very awesome discovery! what is this 'BMW technical website' you referred to for - rainmaker888 2009-01-10 17:45:57 (365 views)
    • Pick a day w/ nothing to do and spend your $30 here. - ripp222 2009-01-11 15:54:08 (387 views)
  • Nice work. Go ahead and post that video. I'm adding this to e38.org (nt) - DavidC 2009-01-09 15:24:21 (297 views)
    • Video Link: (url) - ripp222 2009-01-10 15:18:19 (548 views)
  • You can upload the movie to youtube and then link it here... - eaglecomm 2009-01-09 11:17:51 (307 views)
  • Interesting. The thunk was one of my early indicators of window lifter failure - Brian 2009-01-09 10:52:32 (341 views)
    • I was thinking the same thing, Brian. Chicken or the egg (nt) - sdmike 2009-01-09 11:36:38 (290 views)
      • My theory: - ripp222 2009-01-10 15:27:13 (349 views)
        • +1 (nt) - whiteil 2009-01-11 13:40:01 (273 views)