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Subaru Forester Excessive wind noise

13 messages,  Last post on May 16, 2009 at 6:11 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Interior, SUV

Messages Page 2 of 2

#12 of 13 Re: loud tone or alarm at highway speeds and wind [txsubydrver] by street4

May 08, 2009 (5:32 am)

Replying to: txsubydrver (Apr 04, 2008 9:04 am)
I have an 07 Forester with the same issue.. only with strong crosswinds at hightway speeds I get a sudden LOUD howl ... like letting air slowly out of a balloon. Seems to be coming from the top of the windshield area. No effect with opening windows or sunroof. Duct tape around top windshield shield doesn't help either. This always happens with crosswinds

#13 of 13 Re: loud tone or alarm at highway speeds and wind [street4] by aatherton

May 16, 2009 (6:11 pm)

Replying to: street4 (May 08, 2009 5:32 am)
Could be a gap between the windshield upper molding and the roof.
 
From:
 http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/windscreen_noise_speed_during-t5358.html?t=5358- -
 
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"Windscreen noise at speed or during strong crosswinds."
It seems to be a pretty common problem among Forester owners. If you are driving at highway speeds+ some people hear a sound that I like to describe as a broken reed on a wind instrument. The speed this occurs varies from car to car. Some have it happen as low as 70 MPH (112 kph) and some not till upwards of 120+ MPH (193 kph). It seems to be consistently reproducible by those that are plagued by this problem. It may also happen during a strong cross wind driving at lower speeds or if a semi truck passes by from the other direction. When that happens to me the noise only happens for a second. At speed the noise is pretty constant. Hondaslayer from NASIOC has described a fix that I gave a try and seems to have fixed the issue.
 
What you will need:
Sealant - A type that is clear when dry and water washable when freshly applied, this is very important.
Non marring tool - To lift windscreen gasket - Plastic scraper, rubber squeegee or even your fingers will work.
Wet Paper Towel - To clean up and smooth out excess sealant from gasket after applied
Something to stand on - If you are short like me I needed a step stool to reach the center of the windscreen
 
This is a very simple to do, but first if you have a belt on either cover the buckle with something or remove it. You will be leaning over the paint and you don't want to scratch it. I use a shop apron when I work on my car but pulling your shirt out works too. It's best to do this when you can let the car sit overnight to dry.
 
Using your plastic tool get under the top center lip of the windscreen gasket. The gasket is very tight up in that area and not a lot of room for sealant. Don't apply a ton it will only squish out. Apply the sealant in the gap you have opened. (Don't panic if the sealant looks white when it comes out, it will dry clear). You can even open the gap, stick in the end of the tube and apply it that way. Pull a bead across as evenly as possible. Keep a slow steady speed. I only went as far as 9 inches from the center (where the rear view mirror attaches) out to the side on the left and right. After you apply the sealant across the top, get a very wet paper towel and gently remove any access sealant that oozes out. Get the rag good an wet and turn it often. After you get it off as best as you can use a dry towel to wipe the excess water. Try not to push on the rubber seal area very hard.
 
After the material dries you may see some smudges of sealant on the glass or paint. You can get it off the paint with some wax, it should rub off with no problems. Same for the glass just use a paper towel and some windex. If you still have the noise you may want to apply more sealant further out and see if that helps.
 
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Messages Page 2 of 2

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