Roof Rack Wind Noise

[NJDevil5]

Originally Posted by ninefive0

So this rubber piece should be cut up and installed in the channels between the cross racks (per instructions)?

I would have to remove these rubber parts to slide the cross racks forward or back?

I'm just trying to find out if the pieces are installed in my rack.

The rubber pieces have no affect on sliding the cross bars backwards and forwards. They actually sit down in the channel in your roof.

[ninefive0]

ahhh....... thank you that clears it up!

[hofffam]

I installed the OEM rack myself. It is damned noisy at modest speeds (~40 MPH). Moving the cross rails all the way to the back helped - my theory is they are less in the airflow there. It could also be simply the rails are further away from my ears. I think the noise is less above 60 both because of more noise in general at that speed and a change in air flow. I have the 40 MPH noise consistently - I do not think it is affected much by cross flow.

I have to say the install of the rack was absolutely stupid. Honda should have supplied pre-cut pieces instead of requiring the user to cut those pieces of "rubber" molding. The molding is rubber coated aluminum. If it wasn't for the cutting - the install is very straightforward.

A Honda wind deflector would be a very popular accessory but unfortunately there is no such thing.

[Ridgeline Crime Unit]

Originally Posted by NJDevil5

ninefive0:

If you look at the roof (without rack) you'll notice a rubber strip installed in the channels that run the length of the roof. The installer basically removes this strip, then installs the rack on the roof. They then cut the strip into pieces that will fill the channel gaps in between the front, back and middle roof rack support pieces. If you ever decided to remove the roof rack at a later time, you'd have to order new rubber pieces to fill the entire channel as the original rubber pieces were cut up.

They are not rubber they are metal-aluminum.

[tlaudio]

Verify that your rails are installed correctly. They have a front & back.

See this image for details....


Hope it helps!

TL

[sts036]

Originally Posted by Trader

It is very easy. You could do it yourself.
Simply unsnap the plastic covers on the front and middle of side rails. This will expose 2 torx screws under each cover. Remove the torx screws (4 places times 2 screws = 8 screws).

Then there are 2 screws under each side rail that holds the front plastic mount to the side rail.. Remove the screws, slide off the plastic mount, then slide out the cross rails. It really is very easy. About 20 minutes max total to accomplish this.

You can also look at the installation description of the rack to better explain how this is accomplished.


http://www.handa-accessories.com/ridgeline.html

Trader,

This looks like the solution to my howling crossbars. Any special tools required other than the T-30 and T-25 Torx bit (I'm guessing these bits are available at an auto parts store)? Can the cross bar holders be removed from the rails? Please let me know, I'm ready to remove my crossbars. Thanks in advance.

[tlaudio]

Originally Posted by Trader

It is very easy. You could do it yourself.
Simply unsnap the plastic covers on the front and middle of side rails. This will expose 2 torx screws under each cover. Remove the torx screws (4 places times 2 screws = 8 screws).

Then there are 2 screws under each side rail that holds the front plastic mount to the side rail.. Remove the screws, slide off the plastic mount, then slide out the cross rails. It really is very easy. About 20 minutes max total to accomplish this.

You can also look at the installation description of the rack to better explain how this is accomplished.


http://www.handa-accessories.com/ridgeline.html

Trader provided the instructions earlier....

It was not hard to do....

TL

[sts036]

Thanks, I started out with his method but found that I was not able to remove the screws that held the front plastic anchors from the rails. I ended up removing the roof rack altogether, then with very little effort, the front plastic anchors came off after removing the screws. The crossbars slid off easily and the rails went back up on the roof and the noise problem is solved.

[mayfielh]

Originally Posted by sts036

Thanks, I started out with his method but found that I was not able to remove the screws that held the front plastic anchors from the rails. I ended up removing the roof rack altogether, then with very little effort, the front plastic anchors came off after removing the screws. The crossbars slid off easily and the rails went back up on the roof and the noise problem is solved.

Can you post a pic of the cross-barless rack?

[Featser]

When the weather warms up, I intend to work on a way of attaching the crossbars so they can be removed or installed without removing the mounting side bars. If anyone wants to beat me to the job, or suggest methods, feel free!