A mechanic showed off an easy fix for car door clicking noises in a viral social media post. The expert, Menji (@menjicar), even went so far as to say that the solution is so simple, “even a five-year-old” could solve the problem by simply inspecting the vehicle. He explained how one can go about solving this issue themselves in a viral TikTok that’s accrued more than 31,000 views.
At the start of the video, Menji records himself standing beside the open driver’s side door of a Kia. He repeatedly opens and closes it so that it swivels on its hinges—but not so that it closes all the way. As he does so, a slight clicking sound can be heard emitting from the area.
He narrates, “So this grown adult man brings me his car because his door is making noise, as we can hear.” Following this, the video then transitions to another angle of the door. This gives viewers a clear image of the hinges securing it to the car.
Menji pushes the door open, and as he does so, the accompanying clicking sounds off yet again. “The main concern, the noise in the door.”
Although the driver brought the vehicle to Menji to get this problem fixed, the mechanic didn’t believe this was necessary. According to him, a kindergartner would be able to locate the source of this problem and remedy it.
Clicking Doors Be Gone
“The thing is I think even a five-year-old could fix this.”
As he makes this claim, he focuses the camera lens on the middle hinge apparatus.
Plainly in the line of sight behind one of these pivot points is a plastic wiring harness wrap. Additionally, there is a smear of a white substance on the piece of metal connecting the hinge to the door, which is secured by a bolt.
As Menji opens the door, that bit of metal moves ever so slightly away from the bolt. This indicates that the hinge isn’t affixed tightly enough to the bolt, which only requires a quick tightening from a wrench or socket bit to fix.
The TikToker explains this common issue, which will effectively get rid of the bothersome clicking noise. “Because as we open up the door we can see right there. Something is not right. You guys let me know if you can see what is wrong with it just by looking at it. Somebody tried putting some grease on this thing,” he adds.
That explains the white streaks along the hinge mechanism. However, this wouldn’t solve the real issue at hand.
“The main issue is that the bolt is actually loose, as we can see this thing moves way too much,” the mechanic reveals.
Bolt, Meet Drill
Following this, Menji’s video cuts to him holding a drill fitted with the corresponding socket bit. “All we need to do is just tighten this thing down,” he adds. He places the bit over the bolt, and it fits perfectly. Next, he pulls the trigger on the drill, which engages it, securing the fastener deep into the car. Thus, removing the excess wiggle room of the hinge.
He demonstrates the successful fix on camera. Due to the simplicity of the fix, he told users on camera that he was conflicted about accepting payment. “And just like that, the noise is gone… Now I’m not even sure I should charge for something like this. But let me know what you guys think. But that’s a fix.”
Other Door-Clicking Woes
According to Testing Autos, door-clicking is a common complaint among many drivers. The car care-centric website points to the components highlighted in Menji’s video as the culprit behind these sounds.
Oftentimes, one or all three bolts that secure the pivot pin to the car and its door are the source of this issue. These components make up the “door check strap or arm.” It can also be referred to as a “door check” as well.
And that’s because this pivot point is responsible for regulating the movement of a door. This ensures that the door doesn’t swing out too far, but gives passengers enough clearance to freely exit and enter the vehicle. Furthermore, just as was the case in Menji’s TikTok, Testing Autos says that the same door bolt is the one usually responsible for these popping or clicking noises.
In most cases, ensuring that these bolts are torqued to spec will be enough to get rid of this annoying sound. Moreover, the outlet writes that mechanics can do this for you when you bring your car in for service. Because of the fix’s simplicity, Testing Autos also writes that this procedure is usually offered free of charge.
Bigger Door Problems
Conversely, if your door’s making clicking noises and the pivot point appears rusted, bolt tightening may not cut it. That’s because the hinge mechanism on the vehicle itself may be impaired and will require a replacement. Loose pivot pins can also result in a constant clicking noise whenever you open and close a car door. And then there’s wear-and-tear on the door strap itself.
In all of these cases, part replacements are required. Thankfully, the cost of these components isn’t exorbitant: Testing Autos writes that “aftermarket door check arm[s] will cost $20 to $35.” Additionally, swapping these parts out isn’t a labor-intensive process. Most mechanics should be able to get the job done between 30 and 60 minutes.
In some cases, popping door noises can be fixed with lubrication. Although the outlet does state that this fix can only go so far. Door check straps do need to be lubricated periodically, but in many cases, once a door starts noticeably clicking, bolts are usually the prime suspects.
Commenters React
Folks who responded to Menji’s video had various thoughts on the fix. A number of people said they would gladly charge the client for remedying the problem. That’s because they’re taking time to look into the matter for someone else.
“I always charge $50 an hour. They are paying for being able to fix the car. Not how simple the repair is,” one penned.
Someone else said that it’s because of simple fixes like these that they always inspect problems with their cars first. “That’s why I always check if I can fix it before I send it in like bro,” they wrote.
But others thought it would be better business for Menji to just fix the door for free. “Don’t ask anything, be honest, and you have a new long-time client,” one said.
Another echoed the aforementioned sentiment. However, they wrote that a nominal fee would be fair as well: “10-20 is fair. It just needed to be tightened. I think doing it for free would make them think of you first for their next repair.”
However, there was someone who appeared to take umbrage with the fact that Menji thought a child could fix the issue. “That grown adult man is paying you to fix it. You don’t have to put him down. Not all of us want to look up manuals or videos on how to fix it,” they wrote.
Motor1 has reached out to Kia and Menji via email for further comment. We’ll be sure to update this article if we hear back.
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