So I've been having an issue with my door making stupidly loud popping sounds every time I closed it. I searched this forum and eventually found a handful of posts. However, only one post, out of all the others, said what I needed to know, and that was the bolt size on the door strap, and how how to access the bolt. SO, here I am to tell all who may need to know the answer.

Bolt size, 10 mm. Use a small 1/4 (.25) socket wrench, and access the bolt from the bottom of the strap at the car body, not the door side. Also, you must be aware of three things, and these three were not mentioned in any post I could find.

1) You will find that the bolt already seems tight. It is...but it isn't. You need to tighten that bolt to the point you feel like you might snap the head off. Keep moving the door between each tightening until it stops "popping", then tighten it just a tad more. With each tightening I used a 1/2 (.50) dowel about 8 inches long to push on the socket handle. You'll see why when you tighten the bolt. A hammer handle will work as well.

2) When you are tightening the bolt, your socket wrench will only be able to rotate one click after each tightening.

3) This is an odd one: You won't notice it until you are almost tight enough, but the door will not open as wide so the access to the bolt will get smaller and smaller. Odd because the bolt already seems tight...

And there you go!! Now, go fix your annoying, embarrasingly loud popping sound when you close your door.

:icon_b anana:

 

Good to know; my annoyingly loud popping sound was caused by my window glass being out of adjustment and not dropping down far enough to clear the door sill. However, lately I have noticed the drivers door strap seemed loose, I will need to look at this strap bolt.
Thanks

 

My driver door was doing that. Seems the hinge had worked loose. Tightening it eliminated the sound.