Reducing Roof Rack noise.

Honda installation instructions suggest:
11. To reduce wind noise, cut the rubber molding from each roof rack and install the pieces of the rubber molding you just cut between the cross bars.
I didn't really want to mutilate my roof rack, so I skipped this suggestion. Later, I saw the rubber moldings on sale at HandA for $6.75, and decided to give it a try. I wanted to install the moldings in front of the cross bars as well as behind them and not just in between. I wasn't sure if 2 moldings would be enough, so I ordered 3. In reality you would only need one. Installation was pretty simple. I did have to wrestle with the rubber for a while, but finally it all came into place. It was pretty cold when I was doing my installation, so, I assume, if you put the molding pieces in hot water it will be somewhat easier to do.
In the end wind noise is indeed reduced to the point it is no longer an issue for me. Or maybe I just got used to it?

Here some pictures:

So what do you think it would take to move the cross bars later?

I've been wanting to try that on my RL but those rubber strips are backordered at H&A. Anyone else know where we can get them?

I've been wanting to try that on my RL but those rubber strips are backordered at H&A. Anyone else know where we can get them?
I have two of them left, still in the original wrap. If interested, I can give one to you just for the price of the shipping. BTW, when I ordered mine, HandA sent me an email too, warning they were on back order. Nevertheless, I got them a few days later.

So what do you think it would take to move the cross bars later?
The way I did it, inserting the rubber pieces everywhere, it is, probably best to leave them in place. If you put just a single rubber piece between the crossbars, as honda suggests, it is going to be somewhat easier, at list to move rear bar to the rear and front one to the front. You can always pull the moldings out, but it does take time and effort to put them back.

I have two of them left, still in the original wrap. If interested, I can give one to you just for the price of the shipping. BTW, when I ordered mine, HandA sent me an email too, warning they were on back order. Nevertheless, I got them a few days later.

Hey Raplon,

I'd like to take both of them off your hands if possible (I want to cover the front/middle/rear on both rails). I'll pay cost plus shipping. PM me with info.

Thanks!

I did this mod in hope that it would decrease noise as well. Unfortunately, I got the opposite result: for some reason the rubber strips actually increased the wind noise in my Ridgeline. I verified this by removing the strips, and reinserting later.

Troy

My RTL roof rack makes only a slight amount of wind noise. Tried moving the cross bars to the back and it got worse. So I put the bars back to the original position. For what it is worth, the wind noise is significantly less than my 98 Avalon.

On thing I noticed on the roof rack is that the tighting screws (must be a better term) is a loop. Position of this loop may produce more wind noise. Try 90 degrees to the roof, 45 degrees and in line with the roof, see if that helps.

Another thing to try would be to get a roll of painter's tap and seal up gaps, change shapes, etc. to try and eliminate the noise.

I'm a scientist by day, so I just love to experiment. :D

guys you know where to get those rubber moulding ..... if you go to junk yard you may find not just one you can probably select which size , the toyota corola wagon type that was model early 90s with roof rack they have 2 strip of rubber on cross bar... goodluck finding:) :)

Here some pictures:

This is the first time I have ever seen the roof rack up close as I do not have one. I can see why it makes noise. Those 2 thumb screws per side plus that pocket under the rail mount have to make a lot of noise. Here's what I would suggest to further reduce wind noise.

1. Swap the tumb screws out with an allen head bolt to get rid of the wind turbulence around the thumb wing. The way to test this before buying the requisite parts would be to remove the thumb screws and tape the bars in place with electrical tape.

2. Pull the 4 rail ends off and fill them with fiberglass resin or some other filler. To test this theory, wrap the end parts in electrical tape before modifying them. This should give you a good idea of what benefits you would get from my suggested modification.

I believe you will find that your wind noise will all but go away. Any protrusions, gaps, or cavities are going to act like noise generators or whistles. It seems that this roof rack has a ton of gaps.

what if you just took the cross bars off? most people don't use them anyway.
Jim

i took the cross bars off completely and filled in the gap in the remaining rails with the rubber strip. No noise at all, completely gone. Also, I like the look without the cross bars. All worked out well for me.

I went as far as to have Dynamat put in every where including the roof panel. Although this removed about 95% of the noise for me, I still ended up removing the crossbars.

My theory is the roof skin is very pliable. It flexes at the slightest touch. I believe the air pressure between the crossbar and the roof causes the skin to vibrate whis results in the noise we have complained about.

For those willing to try this, secure some soft weights (5lbs each secured with duct tape) to the area directly below the middle of each of the crossbars and you should see a similar result.

i took the cross bars off completely and filled in the gap in the remaining rails with the rubber strip. No noise at all, completely gone. Also, I like the look without the cross bars. All worked out well for me.

Where did you get this magic strip? Is it a Honda part?

I put a wind deflector on my moonroof. A week or two later I put the roofrack on. I do not notice any roof noise. Do the two cancel each other out?

Where did you get this magic strip? Is it a Honda part?

HandA (Sponsor for the ROC) sells them at www.HandA.com (I think thats it).
If you remove the crossbars from the roofrack, you will not need to fill the tracks. Your noise will be gone.