Body - Wind Noise In The A-Pillar Area Or Outside Mirror
SI B51 11 09Body Equipment
January 2010
Technical Service
This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B51 11 09 dated August 2009.
[NEW] designates changes to this revision
SUBJECT
Wind Noise from the A-pillar Area
MODEL
[NEW] F01, F02 (7 Series) produced up to 9/18/2009
SITUATION
A higher-than-expected level of wind noise above approximately 70mph may be present on some vehicles. The noise is most noticeable from the area of the window, A-pillar, or outside mirror.
CAUSE
^ Turbulence in the airflow over the body of the vehicle
^ Air passages in the mirror and door assemblies
CORRECTION
Seal off selected areas of the mirror and door assemblies, as well as replacing door and mirror components with updated parts.
PROCEDURE
For all affected vehicles produced up to 9/18/2009:
1. Inspect the front bottom edges of the door seals (1). If any gap exists between the seal and adjacent trim strip (2), remove the seal and properly seat it back onto the door.
2. Inspect the fitment of the doors. The leading edge of the door (1) should not protrude at all past the trailing edge of the fender (2). If the door protrudes at all, adjust the door per Repair Instruction REP 41 5. ...
3. Inspect the seals between the front and rear doors (1) to determine whether any voids or areas of poor sealing exist. Also inspect the consistency of the gap between the rear trim on the front door and the front edge of the rear door (2). If either gap is inconsistent or poorly sealed, adjust the trim slightly rearward per REP 51 32 420. The adjustment may also require a minor adjustment of the door striker.
4. Inspect the door seals (1) between the leading edge of the doors (2) and the trailing edge of the fenders (3). If the seal is not installed correctly (loose, bulging from the gap, etc.), it should be removed and reinstalled.
5. If the roof trim strips (1) are wavy or loose, especially near the windshield (2), remove and reinstall them.
6. Remove the door panels per Repair Instruction REP 51 41 000. Locate the 2 voids in the window guide at the ends of the horizontal portion of it (arrows). These passengers are in the corners of the window guide, where the horizontal part of the guide meets the vertical part.
7. Apply a strip of Butyl to each of these voids (front void depicted) and smooth it to completely fill the void.
8. Identify the 2 stamped cutouts on the inner door structure (1). These are immediately in front of and behind the inner belt molding (2). Fill each of these 2 openings completely with Butyl.
[NEW] For vehicles produced between 8/2/2009 and 9/18/09:
9. Perform steps 1-8.
10. Replace the left and right mirror housing retaining rings per Repair Instruction REP 51 16 045 with updated parts.
[NEW] For vehicles produced up to 8/1/2009:
11. Perform steps 1-8.
12. Replace the complete left and right door mirror assembly per Repair Instruction REP 51 16 000.
13. When building up the new mirror assemblies, install new retaining rings per REP 51 16 045, and mirror base covers, lower mirror housings and mirror caps per REP 51 16 041.
[NEW] For vehicles produced up to 4/28/2009:
14. Perform steps 11-13.
15. Replace the front left and right window guides with updated parts per Repair Instruction REP 51 32 211.
16. Replace the left and right exterior B-pillar trim per Repair Instruction REP 51 32 420.
[NEW] Vehicles produced up to 4/20/2009:
17. Perform steps 14-16.
18. Open the door window and pull the window guide (1) out of its channel in the upper rear part of the front door. Install a foam B-pillar seal to this area, as shown.
19. Pull the door handle and identify the handle seal (1). Replace this seal by removing the lock cylinder (left side) or dummy plug (right side) per a portion of Repair Instruction REP 51 21 125.
NOTE:
Removing the lock cylinder does not require removing the entire door latch carrier.
20. [NEW] Inspect the outside door handle to ensure it is properly seated to the door. If a gap exists, remove and reinstall the door handle per Repair Instruction REP 51 21 170.
PARTS INFORMATION
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.