greuvin

Yes, I'm going to to Loew's today at lunchtime to buy some 5/16" tubing. I found out something interesting on the gusset. I parked in the garage last night as it was kind of cold here. I opened the driver side window fully and taped the gusset "closed" with electrical tape, then heated it with a hair dryer for a few minutes. I left it taped overnight then removed the tape in the morning. This morning while driving to work (45 miles of turnpike), there was very little noise. Not sure how long this will last, but the results are quite encouraging.

 

greuvin

Well, I tried the 5/16" tubing and it made a noticeable improvement. I have an Outback and the full length tubing (all around the window) made the window stick out too far on the corner (which actually made the wind noise worse) so I cut it back to about 3/4 the way along the top rail. That worked well and the cost is negligable. I only did the driver's window as the others seem to be okay. Awesome fix!

greuvin

Okay, guys. I tried the tubing (2 different sizes) and it seemed to help. However, after further experimentation, I have determined (at least in my case) that the poor seal from the loose gusset is to blame for most of the wind noise. I installed a piece of rubber (cut from a floor mat) between the window and the gusset. Contact cement was used to bond it all together. This fix definitely worked well. I even removed the tubing and it is still quiet. Hope this helps.

richmondva

So you cut the rubber to fit the size of the triangular cover that pops off? I guess you would have had to make the piece smaller than the cover since it has little pieces that insert into holes to hold it on. I had been pretty pleased with the tubing, but now that the mornings are getting cooler, the rubber seems to contract allowing more air to flow in and the return of the noise!
Hope your fix continues do well and if you don't mind describing it a little more, that would be great.

greuvin

Sure, no problem. This doesn't have anything to do with the triangular plastic cover, however. That is on the inside and my fix goes on the outside. The core problem is the gap between the window glass and the rubber gusset when the window is in the closed position.

The dealer will replace the gusset at a cost of something like $95. All I have done is fashion a filler piece to close the gap between the window and the gusset.

I bought a new set of rubber floor mats which have these extra rubber "tabs" on them where the staples hold them together for packaging. When I removed the tabs with scissors, I noticed they would make a dandy "filler" for the gusset. The tab itself is about 1.5" wide x about 9" in length. I cut the rubber tab so that the length is about 2 inches longer than the gusset itself so that it extends to just below the sill level. This results in a piece of rubber about 6" x 1.5" with the top trimmed to end in a triangle shape to mate inside the gusset.

I used contact cement to bond it to the inside of the gusset. By that, I mean it is situated between the window glass and the inside of the rubber gusset.

From the outside you have (in order)...rubber gusset, rubber filler piece, window glass. The piece fits right in there and when looking at it from the outside, you can't even see the piece of rubber. The operation of the window does not interfere with it at all. Works great, so far. Hope this makes sense.

greuvin

Okey, dokey. That did it. I've had the filler piece installed now for 2 weeks or so. Works great. No wind noise. I highly recommend this fix.

sr20dehauler

Some pictures would be nice.

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singincanary

agreed.

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chrisgeleven

I would really like some pictures of this too!

greuvin

Sorry, guys. I've been away on a work assignment. I'll try to get some pics posted. Actually, from the outside, you can't see the fix. It is just a thin rubber piece made to fit between the window and the outside of the gusset. basically, all it does is prevent the wind from entering that little gap which prevents the cavitating noise.
Subaru made a design change to the gusset and all they did was make it thicker. That is what my fix does. Just plugs the gap.

BTW, the fix is still working perfectly; even with the extremely low temperatures we have experienced lately. Contact cement used properly works very well, indeed.

neoshi

greuvy baby, are ya back yet?

BenMara

Well i solved my problem wit the Right side mirror (wind Noise). I just recently Installed 06+ turn signal mirrors, and found out that the most forward mounting hole was off. Thats y i was having a hard time tryin to mount the mirrors. So i took a drill bit and just bored it out a bit to fit the hard ware, Installed the newer mirrors, now no more wind noised.

I did how ever, Check if there was a leak before i switched out the mirrors, usin a dollar bill, or in my case Lowes receipt. I slip the receipt between the window and window seal closed door and tuged on receipt, noticed how much tug it took to move receipt, and repete along window seal. No leaks from this tug test, so i gatered the wind was from the miss aligned mounting hole for the Mirror (most forward one).

Anyway thats how i solved my Mirror wind noise problem.
Tkx for readin
Ben

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2005 FXT
1994 FZJ80

scottpb

Thanks all for the advise on reducing the wind noise. We tried both the vinyl tubing and filling the hole around the wire going into the mirror. Since then we are no longer bothered by wind noise. It's definitely a vast improvement.

Thomas

i have bought a new 08 x is this problem in this vehicle also?Will keeping the moulding pliable not cause the problem,are there other problems i need to be aware about?I know if they had made a solid frame around the windows instead of a free floating window to trust a rubber seal to keep wind noise out this problem would never exist.I am starting to worry about the purchase i made now?

4thStroke

It sounds like its common for the Forester, but by 08, it shoud have the updated gusset and it shouldnt be a problem. If your window/mirror does put off sound, try the suggested fixes. I wouldnt be worried about the purchase, its a issue that can be fixed, all vehicles have issues.

I tried sealing the hole today... no luck, I need o run down to Lowes and try the 5/16 tubing.