Bought a new 2009 Impreza and just got the (Subaru) roof rack on--but the whistle noise is UNBEARABLE. Husband is outside right now trying to somehow ''fix'' it. So far, no luck.
Anyone ideas on how to stop this? Would a different brand rack system make any difference? With ski season around the corner...we are desperate to find a solution...
Thanks
Take a thin utility cord. Tie it to one end of the front bar and wrap it repeatedly around the bar to the other end of the front bar (spaced about an inch per loop, working around anything attached to the rack) where you tie it tight. Can disrupt the airflow to break the noise - got rid of all of the noise from my rack. I used a 10 foot cord cost $1.60. Doesn't look as cool as a fairing, but much cheaper and no one will steal it from your car. And you don't have to move the bars so that you can't use them.
This works. I did the exact same with a Thule 400xt rack with square load bars and now there is no noise. I used a spare snowboard boot lace. Like teddychabot says, it's not as cool looking as a fairing but it cost me nothing.
You could throw-out all the hardware you purchased, spend twice as much on new hardware that is specially designed; OR, you could stuff some dampening material down the metal tube to kill the mechanical resonance of the rack. Your choice.
×
There's a quick fix, that works like a champ in most roof rack whistle situations. Run down to the hardware store and pick up a 2 or 3 foot bungee cord. Black is ideal, but a color that complements your bike/kayak/whatever is nice too.
Wrap it around the front crossbar about 10 or so times, (at least enough to get it semi-tight around the bar - not so tight you couldn't pluck a snap out of it, nor so loose to the point of hanging), affixing it to the sidebars.
Mine is looped around the towers of my rack. However you can.
The bungee material absorbs a great deal of the vibration that causes the "whistling" sound you hear.
My boyfriend fixed mine by putting black silicone under the rubber strip at the top on both sides. It cleans up so well you can't even notice it is there but it works like a charm.
My problem though is being single and using the j hooks on this roof rack, I can't life it. I have to find out if I can get the cradle ones instead so my kayak slides up easier.
You can try to move the front cross back, a lot of subaru owners swear that this helps out tremendously. I would try this first
Check out this product, also the video, these guys are wind noise reduction gurus. I've got one of these and wouldn't go back. www.prorack-international.com http://www.prorack-international.com/nz/Products/Whispbar/Experience-the-Whispbar-in-action.aspx
If any of the tubes have open ends. plug them with something ( eg.. wax, epoxy, tape ect...)anything that will stop the airflow from mecoming a whistle
Try a wind jammer failing that remove bars
SOURCE: 98 subaru impreza 5spd transmission bearing noise
Sure sounds like a throw out bearing having too much room. Might need adjustment.
SOURCE: wiring loom diagram for subaru 97 sti & 00 ra ?
can any1 help me as my interior light not workin with doors when i use door settings get nothing till i close the doors and it comes on dull
14,335 views
Usually answered in minutes!
I also have the wind noise problem, but more importantly a vibration resonance problem occurs around 50 - 70 km/h. I am strongly considering taking them back and getting a more reliable brand of roof rack such as Thule.
I'm considering buying a 2009 Impreza and want to install a Thule roof rack on it during the summer months only. Did you end up solving your problem with a Thule?
Is it easy to put these racks on and then take them off during months where you don't need them?
The rack on my 2008 Impreza Outback Sport is really solid, easy to take on and off...and screams intolerably loudly. The dealer supplies these little baffles you're supposed to stick under the crossbars, but they don't do a single thing; I think the problem is the pylons. It's either the ridge running up the spine of the pylon or the rectangular cover with the open space behind it, I'm guessing the latter. I've tried the Thule fairing, but the "universal" adapters don't fit the wide Subaru bars very well, and the narrow fairing does zero to lessen the noise, again making me think it must be the pylons. I just have to get around to experimenting a bit, I think Maryjb up there has the right idea. You'd think the Subaru fairing would help, but I have my doubts...
×