Roof Rack Wind Noise

[Trader]

I have recently purchased a RTL with a roof rack. The factory roof rack creates a lot of wind noise. I drove other Ridgelines with and without the roof rack and there is significant wind nosie with the rack and almost no noise without the rack.

So, time for some experimentation. I moved the cross rails to the back of the rack....the wind noise level was about the same but now I could hear it from the top rear of the cab.

I then moved the cross rails to the front. The wind noise was at the same level but moved to the front of the cab.

Since the roof rack was primarily for looks (came on the one I wanted at the dealership), I removed the cross rails entirely from the roof rack and the wind noise reduced by approximately 50%. This level of noise is much more tolerable. I have also placed silver duct tape on the open slots of the rails and I can not tell this reduces noise. Hope this helps someone.

[Docmwj]

I, too, purchased the roof rack mainly for appearance-sake.
I notice the wind noise at 35mph and it's quite pronounced.
I have two other vehicles (Ford Escape and Mercury Mountaineer) that have roof racks and they do not make any noticeable noise.

Does the factory-installed rack make much noise?
Let me know.

PS
Anyone in the market for a Ford Escape or Mercury Mountaineer????
I'm seriously contemplating selling both and getting my wife a Pilot.
Dang Ridgeline, my first Honda and it has changed me from a "Ford man" to a "Honda man"! (who owns a "girly truck"!!!!)

MJ

[Trader]

Yes the description above relates to the factory roof rack. As you stated it makes a lot of noise beginning at relatively low speeds 30 - 35 mph.

[NJDevil5]

Originally Posted by Trader

I have recently purchased a RTL with a roof rack. The factory roof rack creates a lot of wind noise. I drove other Ridgelines with and without the roof rack and there is significant wind nosie with the rack and almost no noise without the rack.

So, time for some experimentation. I moved the cross rails to the back of the rack....the wind noise level was about the same but now I could hear it from the top rear of the cab.

I then moved the cross rails to the front. The wind noise was at the same level but moved to the front of the cab.

Since the roof rack was primarily for looks (came on the one I wanted at the dealership), I removed the cross rails entirely from the roof rack and the wind noise reduced by approximately 50%. This level of noise is much more tolerable. I have also placed silver duct tape on the open slots of the rails and I can not tell this reduces noise. Hope this helps someone.

Trader:
How hard was it to remove the rails? I took mine to the dealership on Thursday and they strongly recommneded against it! Said it was a major job and that the entire rack needed to be unbolted in order to unscrew the end pieces from the side rails. I would need torque bits (which I don't currently have). How long did it take and do you have any instructions or recommendations on how to do this? Thanks

[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

[NJDevil5]

Trader:
Thanks! I'm going to give it a try.

[NJDevil5]

Trader:
You're a star! I removed the cross rails and my wind noise is gone. I can now ride in the calmness that those without racks experience. Thanks for the detailed tip!

[rlguy]

But I don't have a roof rack and still l have this strange whine (wind noise) at 35-55 mph.

[ROColorado]

For rlguy: Other posts have talked about a problem with the windshield that makes a whistling noise. Is that what you have?

For the people who removed the cross bars: The wind noise I have is noticable but not that bad. It does should hollow so I was wondering if it's really the cross bar vibrating in the wind rather than actual wind noise. I was thinking about taking the bars off and filling them with a low expansion foam and putting them back. Any comments on this idea?

[Trader]

ROColorado.... My opinion is that foam in the crossbars won't work. The crossbars are very well constructed and very rigid. I don't think it is vibration that was making the noise.

The overall roof rack is one of the largest you will see on any vehicle. Since my original wind noise problem, I have been observing other roof racks. The Ridgeline one is typically much larger than most. This in itself would account for a lot more wind resistance, therefore....more wind noise.