Howling Wind Noise

[Kymerik]

Ok so I just decided to put this thread here because it really doesn't have other places to go. So here goes:

My mom's 2008 CX9 GT has the roof rails and crossbars and was wondering if anyone else with this setup has any problems with REDICULOUS wind noise when driving over 20mph. Also, I've been reading that if you position them a certain way toward the back of the roof rail, the howling goes away.

Myself, i have a 2003.5 Protege5 with Rails and Cross bars and I don't hear a howl when the windows are closed and sunroof is closed, but in my mom's CX9 it's damn near unbearable.

Thanks

Also: searched for a couple minutes without luck

 

[CX9 SportOwner]

Never installed our crossbars. I used Mont Blancs and they are very quiet. Even with all the racks attached they aren't that loud

 

[FikseRxSeven]

i used to have the same noise, and i ended up taking the cross bars off to get rid of it. moving the crossbars all the way to the back did not eliminate the noise. made the sound a little softer, but still very audible. maybe that is because of my moon roof?

it is fairly easy to take the cross bars on and off, so you guys should consider taking it off to get rid of that wind tunnel noise that comes from it

 

[ericw2000]

My friend put some aftermarket crossbars on his Scion Xb and had an irritating wind noise. He solve it with a small plastic wind deflector that mounts on the front bar. I've seen several cars with this deflector.

This is similar to what he has:
http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=66&sku=872

 

[CX9 SportOwner]

still recommend either the Thule or Mont Blan Aero crossbars. More versatile and stronger than factory.

 

[badself]

Ok so I just decided to put this thread here because it really doesn't have other places to go. So here goes:

My mom's 2008 CX9 GT has the roof rails and crossbars and was wondering if anyone else with this setup has any problems with REDICULOUS wind noise when driving over 20mph. Also, I've been reading that if you position them a certain way toward the back of the roof rail, the howling goes away.

Myself, i have a 2003.5 Protege5 with Rails and Cross bars and I don't hear a howl when the windows are closed and sunroof is closed, but in my mom's CX9 it's damn near unbearable.

Thanks

Also: searched for a couple minutes without luck

Take them off, then put them away somewhere, or throw them away. I paid $60 for mine, and despite the position, the wind noise in all positions makes them unusable. Shame on Mazda for even selling them. Actually, shame on them for not being able to engineer a viable crossbar (or procure a vendor to make it properly). I removed them after one week. Sorry for the bad news.

 

[CX-9 Czar]

I get the same noise. Is this only related to the crossbars or to the rails as well?

Thanks

 

[ceric]

I position the cross bars as far back as possible. Also, I have wind deflector for the moonroof, so the wind noise is not an issue on mine.

 

[jrtouareg]

Cross bar noise

You guys need to check to see if the cross bars are on backwards before doing something drastic. I've replaced my Mont blancs with the factory cross bars and they are much quieter. Make sure the fat end of the bars are facing forward like the wings on an airplane.

 

[badself]

You guys need to check to see if the cross bars are on backwards before doing something drastic. I've replaced my Mont blancs with the factory cross bars and they are much quieter. Make sure the fat end of the bars are facing forward like the wings on an airplane.

The dealer installed the brackets into the slide channel upside-down, so yeah, in a sense the crossbars were facing the wrong direction, except that I remember them being perfectly symmetrical in both directions.

Maybe the flip placement of the brackets would place the head of the turn knob behind the crossbar and not in front of it, thereby curbing wind noise. I'll try it one day, when I need the cargo room.

It's a shame, cause the cx-9 looks good with the crossbars, IMHO better than roof rack alone.

 

[Lindyrect]

It's all about aerodynamics dude. Wind obstructions = noise.

 

[CX-9 Czar]

Make sure the fat end of the bars are facing forward like the wings on an airplane.

Going to check that first thing tomorrow. Just came back from a long trip with Thule box on top and oddly enough, the noise was less of an issue. The factory crossbars are less rigid than my former car's, though.