Kevin Reilly

In the new Excellence, Bruce Anderson's Technical Notes column features a primer on 993 purchases. Nothing new for any of us, but one thing he mentioned struck me as new info.

In the "what to look out for" section he says:

"Another annoying - but not major - problem is that the front windshield and rear window tend to squeek. The windows are actually squeeking in their seals. The best fix we have found is Pedro's Ice Wax, which is a water-based, dry film lubricant for bicycle chains. People have found that lubing the seals with Ice Wax quiets them down."

Anyone confirm this?

Anir

Kevin,

After reading the article a couple of days ago, I ordered some from an online bike shop. It should arrive in a few days, and I'll let you know.

E. J. - 993 Alumni

I read this too and thought it was cool. I have been using the stuff on my bike for a while. Easy to get. Anir, where did you order it from? Not very often my second favorite industry influences my favorite industry.

Edit: I have removed the picture of my bike as some people might construe the posting of said pic as too personal and off topic. (1-30-02 @ 4:15 pm)

(can't miss this opportunity for a shameless pic. )

Jack

I know it might be heresy to say this, but I don't believe Bruce is correct on this one. The windshield ("ws") creaking is not caused by the ws rubbing/squeaking in its seals--it's the ws actually moving with body flex resulting in the edge of the ws contacting the car body. That's why the insertion of the foam cord (saturated in silicone)in the ws cavity reduces/eliminates the creaking sound.

On the other hand, the occasional door squeak is caused by the door/window frame squeaking/rubbing against the rubber seals. Lubrication of those seals will be effective.

Of course, I don't have Mr. Anderson's credentials--so what do I know.

GeoT3

EJ,
Hydrolic disc brakes on a mountain bike? wow.

GeoT3

EJ,
Hydrolic disc brakes on a mountain bike? wow.

tom_993

While I haven’t tried “Pedro’s Ice Wax,” I’ve had good luck eliminating the dreaded windshield squeak with lubricants. The easiest lubricant I’ve used is silicone. Stuff the little red tube under the seal and spray. Move it around the entire windshield. It only takes a couple of minutes to do, and it eliminates the squeak. The only problem is it doesn’t last long. I’m guessing the silicone washes out with rain or car washes.

I’ve also used wheel-bearing grease. I have a needle adaptor for my grease gun. I put the needle under the seal and squirt a small amount of grease around the entire seal. This takes a while, as cleanup of the excess grease is a PIA. But, it lasts a long time. It’s been at least a year since I did it last (sometime last winter) and my windshield is still silent.

Perhaps next time I’ll try the foam cord. Jack, I believe the squeak is indeed caused by the seal squeaking, not the windshield hitting the body. I think the silicone soaked foam cord is doing too things, one, it’s a lubricant, two, it separates the two parts of the seal. Perhaps the foam cord also prevents the silicone from being washed away too quickly.

Now if I could just find a way to eliminate the door squeaks Jack refers to. I’ve lubed the seals and waxed the doorframe, but no luck! Anybody have any other ideas?

Anir

[quote]Originally posted by E. J.:
<strong>Anir, where did you order it from?</strong><hr></blockquote>

EJ,

I bought it from
<a href="http://www.altrec.com/shop/detail/3728/0" target="_blank">Altrec</a> for $8.95 for an 8 oz can, plus $0.99 shipping ($9.94 total).

Money well spent, if it works.

Jeff 993TT

Don't forget about the strut brace also. Many rennlisters have had good success with this also.

Jeff

Anir

[quote]Originally posted by Jeff 993TT:
<strong>Don't forget about the strut brace also. Many rennlisters have had good success with this also.

Jeff</strong><hr></blockquote>

Jeff,

I agree, but my squeak is still there after installing the strut tower brace - albeit somewhat attentuated.

STLPCA

It's also available in a spray can which is probably easier to use for the window seals.

<a href="http://store.yahoo.com/pedrosusa/pedrosicewax.html" target="_blank">Pedro's Ice Wax</a>

Flying Finn

Do you guys put the lubricant on the outside, or the inside of the window (or both)?

Edward

Question:

Why do OUR cars have this minor, yet annoying, trait while other 911s don't. I am thinking specifically of a friend's 78SC. Maybe his car was just louder overall, thus muting any minor squeeks, I don't know.

One more Q: ours are direct descendants of the 964. Do those have windshield issues (I've never done more than testdrive one so I wouldn't know). Thanks.

Edward

tom_993

[quote]Originally posted by Flying Finn:
<strong>Do you guys put the lubricant on the outside, or the inside of the window (or both)?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Outside.

STLPCA

[quote]Originally posted by Edward:
<strong>Why do OUR cars have this minor, yet annoying, trait ...</strong><hr></blockquote>

I too was troubled by what I thought was an inexcusable design flaw, until I came to believe it's intentional - to keep us humble with a constant reminder that even our beloved 993 is not perfect