SECTION 501-00: Body System — General Information
2014 Flex Workshop Manual
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
Procedure revision date: 05/02/2013

Body System


Material
Item Specification
Seam Sealer
TA-2
Silicone Gasket and Sealant
TA-30
WSE-M4G323-A4
 

Inspection and Verification

Dust and Water Leaks

Most dust and water leaks occur due to missing or mis-installed body sealer or components. The source of the leak is detected by:

Wind Noise

Most wind noise leaks occur at the corners of the windows or in the doors. Wind noise is detected by driving the vehicle at highway speeds or at speeds as specified by the customer. The vehicle should be driven in 4 different directions, with all the windows CLOSED, the radio OFF and the A/C blower motor OFF.

Squeak and Rattle

Squeak and rattle noises are generally caused by loose parts, contact or relative movement between 2 surfaces or loose wires and connectors. The source of the noise can be detected by stopping movement of the suspect part by hand or by using dampening or low friction materials.

 

Symptom Chart

 
Symptom Chart — NVH

NOTE: NVH symptoms should be identified using the diagnostic tools that are available. For a list of these tools, an explanation of their uses and a glossary of common terms, refer to Section 100-04 . Since it is possible that any one of multiple systems may be the cause of a symptom, it may be necessary to use a process of elimination type of diagnostic approach to pinpoint the responsible system. If this is not the causal system for the symptom, refer back to Section 100-04 for the next likely system and continue diagnosis.

Condition Possible Sources Action
  • Draft/wind noise and water leak around door perimeter
  • Loose fit seal
  • PINCH seal carrier to improve retention on seal flange.
    • Seal installed incorrectly
    • REINSTALL the seal.
      • Door misaligned
      • REALIGN the door. CHECK door gaps and fit in door opening and ADJUST as necessary. REFER to Section 501-03 .
        • Scuff plate installed incorrectly
        • REINSTALL the scuff plate.
          • Seal or seal pushpins damaged
          • INSTALL a new seal/pushpins.
            • Sheet metal joints in door or door opening
            • SEAL leaks with Silicone Gasket and Sealant.
              • A-pillar, B-pillar or C-pillar appliques loose or damaged
              • REINSTALL or INSTALL a new applique.
                • Exterior door trim upper applique loose or damaged
                • INSTALL a new exterior door trim upper applique. For additional information, refer to Section 501-08 .
                  • A-pillar plug missing or damaged (Located below the A-pillar and above the front top door hinge.)
                  • REINSTALL or INSTALL a new A-pillar plug.
                  • Draft/wind noise and water leak around glass run
                  • Door glass misaligned
                  • ADJUST door glass.
                    • Glass run installed incorrectly
                    • REINSTALL glass run. INSERT foam in glass run carrier if necessary.
                      • Leak path behind glass run
                      • INSTALL foam rope behind glass run.
                        • Glass run channel spread wide
                        • PINCH glass run channel to reduce size of opening.
                          • Glass run damaged
                          • INSTALL a new glass run.
                            • Fixed rear door window glass excessive gap to the top of the rear door frame
                            • REINSTALL the fixed rear door window glass tightly against the top of the rear door frame. For additional information, refer to Section 501-11 .
                            • Draft/wind noise and water leak at inner belt line
                            • Belt line seal installed incorrectly on flange
                            • ADJUST seal. (Do not bend the flange.)
                              • No contact with side glass
                              • ADJUST door glass.
                                • No contact with glass runs at both ends of belt line seal
                                • ADJUST belt line seal or ADD foam at seal ends.
                                  • Belt line seal damaged
                                  • INSTALL a new seal.
                                  • Draft/wind noise and water leak at outer belt line
                                  • Belt line seal installed incorrectly on flange (no glass contact)
                                  • ADJUST seal.
                                    • Belt line seal does not contact the glass
                                    • ADJUST door glass.
                                      • No contact with glass runs at both ends of belt line seal
                                      • ADJUST belt line seal or ADD foam at seal ends.
                                        • Belt line seal damaged
                                        • INSTALL a new seal.
                                        • Draft/wind noise at inner door handle/speaker opening
                                        • Exterior door handle seal misaligned/damaged
                                          • Speaker or speaker seal missing or damaged
                                          • REPAIR speaker seal or INSTALL a new door speaker.
                                          • Draft/wind noise and water leaks at floor pan/dash panel and grommets
                                          • Missing or damaged plugs/grommets
                                          • CHECK plugs/grommets for correct installation or damage. INSTALL new plugs/grommets, if necessary.
                                          • Road noise
                                          • Missing mastic insulators
                                            • Missing body insulators
                                            • CHECK for missing body insulators.
                                            • Rattles in body/doors and instrument panel
                                            • Loose wires/cables
                                            • CHECK that all wires/cables are correctly routed and inserted in correct retainers.
                                              • Loose objects/components in door wells, pillars, quarter trim panels
                                              • CHECK doors by carefully striking underside of doors with a rubber mallet, while listening for rattles in doors and pillars. REMOVE or TIGHTEN loose objects/components.
                                                • Buzz from instrument panel components
                                                • IDENTIFY which components of the instrument panel are buzzing. SECURE/FASTEN components as necessary, ADD foam or felt as needed if rattle persists.
                                                • Door drain holes collecting water
                                                • Holes clogged with mud or road tar
                                                • CLEAN drain holes of foreign material with a punch or screwdriver. CHECK drain holes regularly.
                                                • Wind noise from exterior rear view mirror
                                                • Exterior mirror housing misaligned
                                                • REALIGN with edges shingled to airflow, with no gaps.
                                                  • Mirror sail gasket folded/misaligned
                                                  • REINSTALL with gasket unfolded and aligned correctly.
                                                    • Mirror housing trim cap installed incorrectly
                                                    • REINSTALL with edges shingled to airflow.
                                                      • Air leak through mirror housing hinge
                                                      • Fully ENGAGE mirror into its operating position. USE foam to block air path through hinge.
                                                        • Inner sail trim installed incorrectly
                                                        • REINSTALL sail trim. ADJUST door trim.
                                                          • Inner sail gasket/barrier installed incorrectly
                                                          • REINSTALL trim cover with gasket/barrier aligned correctly.
                                                            • Air path through wiring bundle/fastener access holes
                                                            • BLOCK air path(s) with foam/tape.
                                                              • Exposed fastener access hole on mirror housing/sail
                                                              • INSTALL a new cap if missing.
                                                              • Rattle/vibration from exterior rear view mirror
                                                              • Mirror glass adjustment screws loose
                                                              • REMOVE mirror glass and TIGHTEN mirror glass adjustment motor screws. REFER to Section 501-09 .
                                                                • Mirror mounting nuts loose
                                                                  • Aftermarket air deflector/stone shields
                                                                  • If possible, REMOVE aftermarket air deflector/stone shield, then ROAD TEST vehicle. If concern is no longer present, ADVISE customer that aftermarket component was causing concern.
                                                                    • If equipped with power fold mirrors, power fold mirrors folded/unfolded manually or are not synchronized
                                                                    • If equipped with power fold mirrors, SYNCHRONIZE power fold mirrors. REFER to Section 501-09 .
                                                                    • Draft/wind noise and water leak around perimeter of all fixed glass
                                                                    • Gaps in the sealant bead
                                                                    • APPLY approved sealant.
                                                                      • Air traveling up windshield molding along A-pillar
                                                                      • INSTALL foam rope full length of the A-pillar.
                                                                        • Gaps in sealant bead of windshield
                                                                          • Windshield glass misaligned or not installed correctly
                                                                            • Rear hood seal at base of windshield misaligned/damaged
                                                                            • REALIGN or INSTALL a new seal as necessary.
                                                                            • Air leak at cowl
                                                                            • Cowl seal misaligned/damaged
                                                                            • REALIGN or INSTALL a new seal as necessary.
                                                                            • Draft/wind noise and water leak around liftgate perimeter
                                                                            • Loose fit seal
                                                                            • PINCH seal carrier to improve retention on seal flange or INSERT foam in carrier.
                                                                              • Seal misaligned or installed incorrectly
                                                                              • REINSTALL seal.
                                                                                • Liftgate misaligned
                                                                                • REALIGN liftgate. CHECK liftgate fit in body opening and ADJUST as necessary.
                                                                                  • Scuff plate misaligned
                                                                                  • REINSTALL scuff plate.
                                                                                    • Seal or seal pushpins damaged
                                                                                    • INSTALL a new seal.
                                                                                    • Draft/water leak or noise from roof opening panel
                                                                                    • Roof opening panel/components
                                                                                    • Wind noise created by airflow over or behind body panels
                                                                                    • Fender splash shield misaligned
                                                                                    • REALIGN fender splash shield.
                                                                                      • Body panel misaligned (exposed edge)
                                                                                      • REALIGN appropriate body panel.
                                                                                        • Hood misaligned (front margin)
                                                                                        • CHECK hood gaps and fit. ADJUST hood as necessary.
                                                                                          • Front grille edge noise
                                                                                          • APPLY foam in hollow areas behind louvers.
                                                                                          • Wind noise created by grille opening panel
                                                                                          • Grille relationship to leading edge on hood
                                                                                          • If possible, ADJUST grille opening panel forward to eliminate wind noise.
                                                                                            • Sharp edges due to material imperfections
                                                                                            • REMOVE sharp edges (no damage to visible surface).
                                                                                            • Wind noise from air extractor
                                                                                            • Air extractor housing seated incorrectly
                                                                                            • REINSTALL air extractor housing.
                                                                                              • Air extractor housing or flaps damaged
                                                                                              • INSTALL a new air extractor.
                                                                                              • Noise from roof rack
                                                                                              • Roof rack rails or crossbars loose
                                                                                              • TIGHTEN fasteners.
                                                                                                • Roof rack fasteners missing
                                                                                                • INSTALL approved fasteners.
                                                                                                  • Roof rack crossbars installed backward
                                                                                                  • REINSTALL crossbars.
                                                                                                    • Roof rack rub strips partially lifting from roof
                                                                                                    • REAPPLY adhesive or fasteners or INSTALL new rub strips as necessary.
                                                                                                      • Roof rack gaskets loose or misaligned
                                                                                                      • REINSTALL gasket.
                                                                                                      • Wind noise from bug shield/exterior windshield sun visor
                                                                                                      • Turbulence created by location and shape
                                                                                                      • DETERMINE if an OEM part or aftermarket. If aftermarket, ADVISE customer accordingly. If OEM, VERIFY correctly installed. If noise is abnormal, REPAIR or INSTALL new as required.