gusset front window leaks air

[Wilco van Diest]

Hello,

the gusset (small triangle front rubber) of my right frontwindow of my
Forester '99 leaks air, so a hissing noise is heard at highway speed.
When I push the gusset (from inside ofcourse) against the window the
windnoise disappears.
So this rubber doesn't fit right anymore. You can see a small deviation of
the rubber.
Can I repair this gusset with f.i. hot air (with a hairföne) or something
else or must this leaking gusset be replaced ?

regards,
Wilco (The Netherlands)

 

[Todd H.]

Hello,

the gusset (small triangle front rubber) of my right frontwindow of my
Forester '99 leaks air, so a hissing noise is heard at highway speed.
When I push the gusset (from inside ofcourse) against the window the
windnoise disappears.
So this rubber doesn't fit right anymore. You can see a small deviation of
the rubber.
Can I repair this gusset with f.i. hot air (with a hairföne) or something
else or must this leaking gusset be replaced ?

The windows on the frameless door on Subarus are typically adjustable
to increase or decrease pressure against the door gaskets.

It's possible all you need is to increase that pressure and your wind
noise will go away. Where this adjustment is accessed, though, I
don't know. Mine have been adjusted previously by the dealer service
under warranty.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Lower the window and use both hands to squeeze the gusset together.
Worked surprisingly well on mty wife's OBW. Also, train yourself to
close the door by pushing on the lower part and avoid pushing the glass.

If not satisfactory, there are some adjustments internally I believe.

Carl

 

[hippo]

Lower the window and use both hands to squeeze the gusset together.
Worked surprisingly well on mty wife's OBW. Also, train yourself to
close the door by pushing on the lower part and avoid pushing the glass.

If not satisfactory, there are some adjustments internally I believe.

Wilco van Diest wrote: deviation
of

If Carl's easy fix doesn't work (must try that one next time!), then
remove the trim panel from the door. There'll be the odd screw or three
holding handles and things, but apart from that it's just carefully
releasing the trim clips at the bottom and sides, then it lifts off. It
may need a bit of wiggling to clear that triangle.

Assuming the Forester setup is the same as a Liberty or Outback, then at
the top of the window aperture there should be two little metal clamps
with a felt covered face that bears on the bottom of the glass. Release
the bolt and adjust the clamp to where you want it. Moving it towards the
outside of the car will push the top of the glass further inwards and vice
versa. You usually need to adjust the clamp outwards.

When you've finished, just remember to reconnect any window & mirror
connectors you unplugged to remove the trim panel. They work much better
when you do .... (Been there, done that!) Anyone who slams your doors or
catches things in the glass will make the problem return faster. Cheers

 

[BRH]

Hello,

the gusset (small triangle front rubber) of my right frontwindow of my
Forester '99 leaks air, so a hissing noise is heard at highway speed.
When I push the gusset (from inside ofcourse) against the window the
windnoise disappears.
So this rubber doesn't fit right anymore. You can see a small deviation of
the rubber.
Can I repair this gusset with f.i. hot air (with a hairföne) or something
else or must this leaking gusset be replaced ?

regards,
Wilco (The Netherlands)

I'm experiencing the exact same thing on my 01 Forester, except that
it's on the driver's side and is very annoying.

Subaru has told me that it's a well known problem that they frequently
see, but of course, they won't do a recall. Instead it's a $140
replacement/repair. Crooks.

 

[Mark]

I'm experiencing the exact same thing on my 01 Forester, except that

it's on the driver's side and is very annoying.

Subaru has told me that it's a well known problem that they frequently
see, but of course, they won't do a recall. Instead it's a $140
replacement/repair. Crooks.

Hah, got mine in the shop right now, fixing it under warranty.
Problem stems from the frameless windows, you get much more vibration when
shutting the doors, vibration knocks the clips/bolts/whatevers a little out
of whack. And once the wind gets in there, it keeps a nice little hole open,
just enough to hiss and whistle of course.

-mark

 

[Wilco van Diest]

Carl,

thanks, it works !!!!

Wilco

Lower the window and use both hands to squeeze the gusset together.
Worked surprisingly well on mty wife's OBW. Also, train yourself to
close the door by pushing on the lower part and avoid pushing the glass.

If not satisfactory, there are some adjustments internally I believe.

Carl

 

[BRH]

Hah, got mine in the shop right now, fixing it under warranty.
Problem stems from the frameless windows, you get much more vibration when
shutting the doors, vibration knocks the clips/bolts/whatevers a little out
of whack. And once the wind gets in there, it keeps a nice little hole open,
just enough to hiss and whistle of course.

-mark

Is that the 36,000 mi warranty or the 60,000 mi (powertrain) warranty?
I'm at just under 60K at the moment. (I know, I know. It's a longshot.)

 

[Mark jb]

Is that the 36,000 mi warranty or the 60,000 mi (powertrain) warranty?

I'm at just under 60K at the moment. (I know, I know. It's a longshot.)

Car's in for it's 50,000KM service.
We get a 3 year / 100,000km warranty in Aus, basically if anything goes
wrong with the car it's fixed under warranty, unless caused by smashing or
thrashing it.

-mark

 

[Tony Burns]

Mark, Subarus warranty is Australia is 3 years UNLIMITED kilometres.

You should know better.

 

[Mark jb]

Mark, Subarus warranty is Australia is 3 years UNLIMITED kilometres.

You should know better.

Bought it on NYE '02, so it's been a while since I looked.
Either way, I knew i wasn't going to hit 100 thou before the 3 years were
up, not much differance to me!

-mark