By kevin on Monday, August 27, 2001 - 06:09 am: Edit

I have 97 SE7 and am experiencing a weird noise when reaching cruising speed. It almost sounds like a pneumatic high pitch whine. It’s audible over the normal road/tranny whine and very hard on the ears. I’ve had the local dealer check it out three times and each time ended up with a different solution. 1st bicycle roof rack (I took it off) 2nd passenger window seal (fixed) 3rd when the cracked windshield was replaced it was installed to low??? I haven’t called the folks who installed the windshield yet, since it has a rubber seal around the windshield that’s flush with the glass and roof, I can’t see how air is getting under the seal and flowing into the headliner….that’s the theory from the dealership. Any Ideas
Thanks
Kevin

By Steve (Steve2) on Monday, August 27, 2001 - 06:26 am: Edit

kevin

1st - there is nothig on the roof aside from the two 'style bars'? no cross bars etc?

2nd - the sunroofs are relatively flush?

3rd - are you the orig owner of the car - has it ever been in an accident?

i would try mounting a yakima style deflector at the front of the style bars (ala xterra look). my ex had a ford xploder that whistled like a mother on the fwy and it was the roof rack was ever so slightly off.

best of luck
steve

By kevin on Monday, August 27, 2001 - 06:40 am: Edit

Steve, I'm not the orginal owner and don't know if its been in a accident or not. I have a big o'l roof rack with cross bars and three bike rails...I'll give the windjammer a try...

Thanks
Kevin

By Gregg Warnken (Gregg) on Monday, August 27, 2001 - 08:20 am: Edit

Kevin - I would put my .02 cents on the roof rack you have causing the noise. Starts at about 45-50 mph?? Sounds kinda like a train coming up behind you? I have had much experience with this issue. The air rushing over the first crossbar causes a vaccuum between the crossbars (and alot of drag too). Try the wind deflector as Steve suggested. It won't totally emiminate the noise, but will reduce it to a liveable level. Face it, we are driving machines about as aerodynamic as a shoebox... even without the rack.

Gregg