Cabin (wind) noise

As an update I’ve definitely noticed / cared less about it as time as gone on. For me it was most noticeable right when I got the car because I thought the cabin was really really quiet at low speeds compared to my previous cars. So when it would get nosier at higher speeds I noticed it but I’ll say I’ve done a few roadtrips and haven’t minded the noise at all.
 
shwazz714 said:
I hear wind noise first kick up at around 45 mphs and then much more pronounced (still not crazy loud) at highway speeds. I have stock fe roof rack and stock tires (Michelin).
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My wind noise is kicking in at about the same speed on my LC1958, with it being most pronounced at 60-65 mph.

It occurred with the stock tires when I still had them and didn't change one way or the other when I upgraded to BFG KO3's. Plus, I don't have a roof rack of any sort, leading me to believe that it might be rear-view mirror related.
 
shwazz714 said:
Yep I know that’s built in, but I’m sure there’s some ways to deaden the sound a bit… maybe not but let’s see what others say!
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Well my first post after my introductory post. I'm wondering a the wind deflector for the sunroof will help. Anyone have one that can share some input?
 
More on cabin wind noise on my LC trim, no rack, no cross bars, no moon roof, stock tires, nearly 900 miles.
At freeway speeds I hear wind noise from the driver’s window. If I roll the window part way down for a couple of seconds and then back up the noise is gone. Over the next 10-12 seconds the wind noise returns. It’s not unbearable but is annoying. Haven’t tried any remedies, just gathering thoughts. Yours?
 
bob-o said:
More on cabin wind noise on my LC trim, no rack, no cross bars, no moon roof, stock tires, nearly 900 miles.
At freeway speeds I hear wind noise from the driver’s window. If I roll the window part way down for a couple of seconds and then back up the noise is gone. Over the next 10-12 seconds the wind noise returns. It’s not unbearable but is annoying. Haven’t tried any remedies, just gathering thoughts. Yours?
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That’s weird.. I wonder why?
 
So I had a weird noise happen at approx 65MPH and de-accelerating (doesn't happen when accelerating) and when the dryers blow when going through the car wash. Sounds like a dull whooping , like a Tupperware lid thumping in place.

My theory is, it's the roof flexing under the wind pressure............ there's supposed to be some sound proofing above the headliner, but I'm wondering if it does or if it's enough. May be a winter project to remove the headliner and install some dynomat.
 
Martinfj250 said:
"...I don't have the FE,. I have the LC and the cross bars on the roof definitely cause wind noise. My wife thinks the cross bars make it look cooler so I am dealing with it for now..... LOL..."
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I had the exact same comment from my wife - cool cross bars. As much as I hated to admit it the cross bar wind noise at highway speeds is definitely a thing. A sound meter app on my phone showed about 3 or 4db quieter without the bars. It's not a lot, but enough to take the noise level from slightly annoying to reasonably comfortable.

Since they are so easy to take off and put on, my compromise for now is to remove and store if we take a long road trip
 

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I’ve removed cross bars and that made a big difference. However now I’m noticing quite a bit of wind noise coming from the driver and passenger windows. The. I thought maybe side mirrors?? I folded them in and bingo 30% + reduction. Has anyone tried adding stick inc vortex generators to the windows?
 
i’m driving along the highway at 80 right now folding and unfolding the mirrors and can notice no difference in wind noise. Decibels between 65 and 66 at 80. It’s not a Lexus but I don’t consider it loud either
 
I am actually considering removing the front piece and cross bars of the FE roof rack just leaving the side pieces, to see if that makes any difference 🤔
 
francorossobianco said:
i’m driving along the highway at 80 right now folding and unfolding the mirrors and can notice no difference in wind noise. Decibels between 65 and 66 at 80. It’s not a Lexus but I don’t consider it loud either
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I stand corrected! I just did the same. Yes it's way less noticeable at 80 for sure due to all the other wind noise that really gets going above 75. However 65-70 when you fold the mirrors in the noise disappears completely as the mirrors transition and then comes back, but is different pitch when they are folded in completely. My Conclusion, the loud wind noise coming through the driver and passenger windows is coming from the mirrors.
PS, my wife has a Lexus GX460 and she thinks the LC is quieter at highway speeds.
 
ultane said:
I am actually considering removing the front piece and cross bars of the FE roof rack just leaving the side pieces, to see if that makes any difference 🤔
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There is a "C" channel/Angle iron sub frame under those flimsy nose, tail and side pieces.
 
ultane said:
I am actually considering removing the front piece and cross bars of the FE roof rack just leaving the side pieces, to see if that makes any difference 🤔
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Made a difference for me. The crossbars on mine was the source of most of my wind noise. The shape of the vehicle itself will still generate turbulence of course, but low enough to ignore, and on par with my other vehicles except the more aerodynamic Subaru.
 
EOD Guy said:
There is a "C" channel/Angle iron sub frame under those flimsy nose, tail and side pieces.
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EOD Guy, Do you think that the side rails will be significantly weakened without the front ramp and other cross rails? Even if I left the FE rack untouched, I’m not going to be putting anything up there, ever. It’s just too tall for me to navigate, unlike my Subaru Outback, which I could easily fill my Yakima up with skis and snowboards. I’m just trying to make it quieter. What say you?
 
ultane said:
EOD Guy, Do you think that the side rails will be significantly weakened without the front ramp and other cross rails? Even if I left the FE rack untouched, I’m not going to be putting anything up there, ever. It’s just too tall for me to navigate, unlike my Subaru Outback, which I could easily fill my Yakima up with skis and snowboards. I’m just trying to make it quieter. What say you?
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With out the front and rear caps and cross bars there is only the "C" channel and side panels which might at as a sail. I'd take the whole thing off and see if it's any quieter. I have a db meter and thought taking off the rack, but I mounted the WeBoost antenna up there so it'll stay on. But later on I thought about making temp mods to the front cap to see if it makes it any quieter but to be honest it's not bad now.
 
EOD Guy said:
With out the front and rear caps and cross bars there is only the "C" channel and side panels which might at as a sail.
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I kinda like the side view, but just want it to be quieter. If it is bolted down to the roof, shouldn’t it be stable enough, without the cross pieces?
 
ultane said:
I kinda like the side view, but just want it to be quieter. If it is bolted down to the roof, shouldn’t it be stable enough, without the cross pieces?
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The "C" channel is Approx 2"-2.5" wide so it would be stout enough to support every thing, no worries there. My fear would be the side panel would act like a sail and flex a tiny bit from side to side, over time those tiny flexes would fatigue the metal.

That being said, I don't think removing them for a test would hurt anything.

On my "to do" list..........
1 - I plan on getting a db baseline.
2 - Putting some gaffers tape on the "T" slots , check the db for improvement and if it improves, putting some "T" slot covers on the cross bars. Milling tables have all sorts of "T" slot covers and hopefully I can find some that fit, otherwise I'll make some.
3 - Remove the cross bars in different combinations and see if there is a db improvement.
4 - Tape the side pieces and see if there is a db improvement and if it improves fabricate some thin solid panels that would bolt under the side panels (sandwiched between the OEM side panel and the "C" channel), thus preserving the look but sealing the holes/slots.
5 - Redesign the front end cap:
with a steeper angle
with a lesser angle
with a lesser bottom gap
with a larger bottom gap
with a rounded leading edge vs ramp
6 - Installing sound deadening above the headliner. This would be a ton of work, so it'll be last on my list. I noticed while install the WeBoost antenna, that the roof def has a hollow oil barrel sound when tapped/knocked.
 
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EOD Guy said:
The "C" channel is Approx 2"-2.5" wide so it would be stout enough to support every thing, no worries there. My fear would be the side panel would act like a sail and flex a tiny bit from side to side, over time those tiny flexes would fatigue the metal.

That being said, I don't think removing them for a test would hurt anything.

On my "to do" list..........
1 - I plan getting a db baseline.
2 - Putting some gaffers tape on the "T" slots , check the db for improvement and if it improves, putting some "T" slot covers on the cross bars. Milling tables have all sorts of "T" slot covers and hopefully I can find some that fit, otherwise I'll make some.
3 - Remove the cross bars in different combinations and see if there is a db improvement.
4 - Tape the side pieces and see if there is a db improvement and if it improves fabricate some thin solid panels that would bolt under the side panels (sandwiched between the OEM side panel and the "C" channel), thus preserving the look but sealing the holes/slots.
5 - Redesign the front end cap:
with a steeper angle
with a lesser angle
with a lesser bottom gap
with a larger bottom gap
with a rounded leading edge vs ramp
6 - Installing sound deadening above the headliner. This would be a ton of work, so it'll be last on my list. I noticed while install the WeBoost antenna, that the roof def has a hollow oil barrel sound when tapped/knocked.
Click to expand...
I do t have the wherewithal or facilities to do that, but if it works, I’d pay to buy whatever you come up with.

I just don’t want to hurt Miss Daisy. And when I pass, my daughter gets Miss Daisy, so I would want the original rack to be able to be reinstalled, since they will probably use the Yakima that I gave them with my Subaru up there.
 
ultane said:
I do t have the wherewithal or facilities to do that, but if it works, I’d pay to buy whatever you come up with.

I just don’t want to hurt Miss Daisy. And when I pass, my daughter gets Miss Daisy, so I would want the original rack to be able to be reinstalled, since they will probably use the Yakima that I gave them with my Subaru up there.
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Everything I've done so far can be undone in half a day. The only permanent modifications (holes drilled) are 4 trim panels and two of them wouldn't be noticed by anyone. The other two, rear hatch switch panel and the front "View" button trim under the AC control, are cheap and easily replaced.
 
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