Wind Noise Mitigation

[Theakerr]

As some of you know I have been less than happy with the wind noise of my 2010 AWD Ltd, especially when compared against my 2008. I have recently been able to reduce the wind noise to levels close to my 2008. Also, the noise that comes into the cabin from a passing vehicle, especially a tractor trailer, has been mitigated. The solution was based on a distant post, where a similar problem was reported to have been solved by a service manager who "knew exactly how to solve the problem". He apparently put a round rubber seal behind the OEM seal. For my fix, I used 1/4 x 3/8 neoprene sponge (closed cell) foam tape from Canadian Tire placed behind the rubber door seal attached to the car body frame. I put it behind the OEM door seal in such a way that the stock factory door seal rubber is forced to stand out a little. I am assuming this forces a slightly better contact between the door and the factory seal. It will be interesting to see how this fix stands the test of time since the Canadian Tire seal is cheap consumer stuff and does not retain its resilience very well. I will also be talking to my Ford Dealer since in the original post the Service Manager was quoted as "having the appropriate sealing rubber in his office" (my memory of the words). As for the underlying cause, I have to assume that the door is not correctly hung, something I have suspected from day one but something my dealer did not want to play around with.

Edited May 10, 2011 by Theakerr

[cal3thousand]

As some of you know I have been less than happy with the wind noise of my 2010 AWD Ltd, especially when compared against my 2008. I have recently been able to reduce the wind noise to levels close to my 2008. Also, the noise that comes into the cabin from a passing vehicle, especially a tractor trailer, has been mitigated. The solution was based on a distant post, where a similar problem was reported to have been solved by a service manager who "knew exactly how to solve the problem". He apparently put a round rubber seal behind the OEM seal. For my fix, I used 1/4 x 3/8 neoprene sponge (closed cell) foam tape from Canadian Tire placed behind the rubber door seal attached to the car body frame. I put it behind the OEM door seal in such a way that the stock factory door seal rubber is forced to stand out a little. I am assuming this forces a slightly better contact between the door and the factory seal. It will be interesting to see how this fix stands the test of time since the Canadian Tire seal is cheap consumer stuff and does not retain its resilience very well. I will also be talking to my Ford Dealer since in the original post the Service Manager was quoted as "having the appropriate sealing rubber in his office" (my memory of the words). As for the underlying cause, I have to assume that the door is not correctly hung, something I have suspected from day one but something my dealer did not want to play around with.

 

Good share!

 

I know that my door is a bit out of whack, but I can't take it to the original dealer until I have a full day off due to distance.

 

Not sure if you want to spend the money, but Job #2 2011 mirrors were redesigned to address wind noise issues.