2008 Impreza Roof Rack Noise Problem

[subaru dude]

Anyone have this experience. Driving with and without a load above 25
mph sounds like a helicopter hovering over the car. Lost three weather
strips already.

 

[Todd H.]

Anyone have this experience. Driving with and without a load above 25
mph sounds like a helicopter hovering over the car. Lost three weather
strips already.

Dude,

What's the dealer say? This body integrity issue is covered by your
factory warranty.

 

[Dano58]

Anyone have this experience. Driving with and without a load above 25
mph sounds like a helicopter hovering over the car. Lost three weather
strips already.

Is it an OEM roof rack, or an aftermarket one? Maybe play around with
the crossbar position a bit to cut down on the turbulence. A rack is
gonna cause some noise, just due to it's nature. But I would take the
car back to the dealer to get the 'weather strips' replaced....

Dan D
'99 Impreza 2.5 RS
Central NJ USA

 

[subaru dude]

Anyone have this experience. Driving with and without a load above 25
mph sounds like a helicopter hovering over the car. Lost three weather
strips already.

The dealer confirms the manufacturer acknowledges problem exists with
OEM product. Their solution is to remove the rack from the car.

 

[Todd H.]

The dealer confirms the manufacturer acknowledges problem exists with
OEM product. Their solution is to remove the rack from the car.

Ugh, that sucks. Which rack are we talking about the usual rails and
such?

 

[Guest]

Anyone have this experience. Driving with and without a load above 25
mph sounds like a helicopter hovering over the car. Lost three weather
strips already.

Are the cross-bars removable?

Are the cross-bars on backwards? Thick part should be towards the
front.


Dave

 

[subaru dude]

Anyone have this experience. Driving with and without a load above 25
mph sounds like a helicopter hovering over the car. Lost three weather
strips already.

The OEM crossbars screw into slots on the roof. I guess they could be
installed incorrectly, but on the bottom side of one rack specifies the
position and direction it should be facing. I have a neighbor with the
exact same car and rack. They had the noise problem and their dealer
installed five triangular bars across on the front bar and according to
the driver the noise has been eliminated. I asked my dealer about the
fix up, but he said it was the European solution and Subaru does not
have this in the USA. Who knows why? I'm baffled as to Subaru's response
to this issue.

 

[Dano58]

The OEM crossbars screw into slots on the roof. I guess they could be
installed incorrectly, but on the bottom side of one rack specifies the
position and direction it should be facing. I have a neighbor with the
exact same car and rack. They had the noise problem and their dealer
installed five triangular bars across on the front bar and according to
the driver the noise has been eliminated. I asked my dealer about the
fix up, but he said it was the European solution and Subaru does not
have this in the USA. Who knows why? I'm baffled as to Subaru's response
to this issue.

Sounds like you need to go to your neighbor's dealer!

Dan D
'99 Impreza 2.5 RS (son's)
Central NJ USA

 

[subaru dude]

Anyone have this experience. Driving with and without a load above 25
mph sounds like a helicopter hovering over the car. Lost three weather
strips already.

Spoke with a different dealer today. He said the vehicle is designed
knowing it will make noise. Roof racks are only a temporary convenience.
I said I found it hard to believe Subaru would design a product in
this new millennium that is not aerodynamic. No response from dealer. I
buy my next car from a different manufacturer.

 

[Dano58]

Spoke with a different dealer today. He said the vehicle is designed
knowing it will make noise. Roof racks are only a temporary convenience.
  I said I found it hard to believe Subaru would design a product in
this new millennium that is not aerodynamic. No response from dealer. I
buy my next car from a different manufacturer.

Good luck with that.

Dan D
'99 Impreza 2.5 RS (son's)
Central NJ USA