Side Mirrors - Wind Noise. Have they changed design

[JS84T]

We have one of the first RL models and the wife who uses it as a daily driver say that the wind noise she hears is coming from the area between the A-pillar/side mirror areas. I thought I remember reading that Honda made a design change after a certain VIN. Am I wrong?

If this mirror design HAS infact been changed, could someone post a description of what they did, when they did it and.... I'm asking alot here, maybe post a couple of before/after pics for me here.

Was this a TSB deal or purely designed if done at all.

Thanks Guys... I love reading this site !!

[Ultra-HOG]

Welcome aboard JS84T. I don't believe that there has been any mention of changes having been made to the mirrors. At least none that I can recall. I have had mine since May and they look the same as the ones in the brochures that I am sure were printed long before that. They have the little 'bumps' on the top. It has been discussed quite a while ago that those 'bumps' break up the air stream as it passes over the mirror with the result being less noise. Other than that, any changes to the mirrors is news to me. Maybe someone else has heard differently. You came to the right place to ask. ROC members can come up with some pretty amazing information.
Once again, welcome!

[Webwader]

Are you sure it's the mirrors and not windshield noise your wife is hearing? Apparently this was a common problem on early RLs.

[ProHonda]

Webader has your answer, its not the mirrors...........

[ridgelinewannabe]

Originally Posted by Webwader

Are you sure it's the mirrors and not windshield noise your wife is hearing? Apparently this was a common problem on early RLs.

With all due respect Webwader, I believe this is a common problem on current Ridgelines as well. Mine was purchased in late July, and has been to the dealer 5 times to address the windhield noise problem. They have tested and made repeated attempts at repairs, by sealing the body seams with masking tape, adding foam under the windshield molding, adding more silicone, smoke testing, and finally changing out the windshield. The technician from the dealer that I purchased it from has acknowledged hearing the noise, and once commented how it seems to change in pitch and becomes louder when going downhill. After all of this, I still have the noise and the two different Honda dealers that have heard it, refer to it as turbulence. I drove a new Ridgeline off the lot in the last three weeks from each of these two dealers. They both exhibited the same characteristic swooshing sound when speeds reached above 40 MPH. Almost sounds like flying in a jet airliner at times. So I don't believe this is a problem only with early models. The technician from the second dealer after riding in mine, actually believes that the noise may be radiating from the side mirrors themselves. I would welcome hearing from anybody that can tell me that they themselves, or a regular passenger have listened for, but never heard this noise. I might then have the courage to take it back one more time. Maybe because the rest of the truck is so quiet, I am just tuned into this noise, and that I need to somehow tune it out. But occaisionally it gets loud enough that you would think that maybe the Climate Control fan is turned on to about the third notch. Don't get me wrong, I love this truck, and am very proud to own it. It is the best vehicle I have ever purchased. After owning it for 6 months, I still look for excuses to take it for a spin. I just wish someone, would have tested the aerodynamics a little more thorough.

[ProHonda]

Color me stupid, take the bloody mirrors off for a week, end of problem. ( no joke)

I live in windy city, no noise from my mirrors...........

[Webwader]

I apologize for my omission ridgelinewannbee.

[JS84T]

Many thanks guys for all your input. Honda owners are the best. I get really great help and responses off the S2000 site too. You gys nailed this for me and I'm printing the TSB for the windscreen out.. We'll see what they do for us.

Cheers and thanks again.

Jack

[ridgelinewannabe]

Originally Posted by ProHonda

Color me stupid, take the bloody mirrors off for a week, end of problem. ( no joke)

I live in windy city, no noise from my mirrors...........

Not a bad idea, to try as a test. Is it a do it yourself job, or a dealer job?

I just cannot understand how I have heard this noise from my vehicle, as well as two new vehicles from different dealer's lots. Was this just coincidence? I also think I have seen other post's where owner's have not been able to entirely eliminate this noise. I don't think I am alone.

[Tex's Ridge]

Originally Posted by ridgelinewannabe

Not a bad idea, to try as a test. Is it a do it yourself job, or a dealer job?

I just cannot understand how I have heard this noise from my vehicle, as well as two new vehicles from different dealer's lots. Was this just coincidence? I also think I have seen other post's where owner's have not been able to entirely eliminate this noise. I don't think I am alone.

You don't need to take them off. Just fold them in to get them out of the wind stream. I had my windshield replaced because of the noise. But I still had the wooshing sound. It was the mirrors or the window shades.