I fitted the ski carrier late November and since then, despite a couple of repositioning trials, they howl like hell whenever you drive at more than 50kph (31mph). The "whistling" wind noise inside the car is most distracting. I'm looking for a fix as here in the Alps the ski carrier will sit on top of the FL2 from November till April.

Has anyone else fitted this carrier and is experiencing the same noise intrusion, or have you found a "quiet" solution

Any ideas would be most welcome.

i understand that when you fit the holder you have to remove the rubber runner that goes across each cross bar

have you replaced these? I read over on Disco3 that one of them solved it by taping/silicone the gaps at each side where he had to cut the rubber Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Mine whistles as well - haven't found a fix, my old ones on the F1 did the same as did the P38 before that - real pain on the run to Geneva airport if I go round the Lac . I think its just the fact that they are like a reed and will make a noise whatever you do - unless that is you take them off  Cheers
Gumdrop aka Simon !
-------------------------------------------------
F2 HSE, auto, roof rails, steps, santorini black
Defender 50th
F1 1999, Commercial
Series 1 (1958)
Rebel Replica Series 1

npinks wrote:

i understand that when you fit the holder you have to remove the rubber runner that goes across each cross bar

have you replaced these? I read over on Disco3 that one of them solved it by taping/silicone the gaps at each side where he had to cut the rubber

Cheers npinks

No I haven't reinserted the cross-bar rubber runners because you would have to cut them to do so as each of the ski carriers themselves are held on to the cross-bar by a pair of legs which sit in the runner.

If you therefore cut the rubbers to fit around the Ski Carrier the very same rubbers will most probably not fit around the "Luggage Rack or Box" or the "Aqua Sports Carrier" - unless of course these rubbers are available separately from LR at a reasonable low price (some chance eh )

Are you certain that cutting them absolutely solves the howling wind

gumdrop wrote:

Mine whistles as well - a real pain

gumdrop

I entirely agree - very irritating.

Before cutting the precious rubbers (your right IF you can get them on their own they will be expensive ) why don't you use strong tape to seal the gaps as a test. We have 'Duck Tape' here in the UK which is a very sticky re-inforced with webbing tape, i'm sure you have something similar/better. Tape up the runners and do a high speed test.

Not certain on the whistling with/without rubbers in place, i presume placing some gaffer tape of the channels would be the same effect as if the rubber was in place.

I'll try find the thread on disco3

do they whistle if you don't have your skis ontop?

You could trying taping all the gaps up, place something between each ski to open the gap up if its acting like a reed  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Details on replacement rubber strips from Thule (i think they make the crossbars)
http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic39396.html?highlight=whistling

I can't find the actual thread, but on others you need the rubber in and tape up the slightest of gaps Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

mcphersonstrut + npinks
Thanks for the very helpful suggestions - appreciated - will experiment.

npinks
Chasing down that link you gave - you don't know the correct Thule Cross Bar part number by chance?

cheers

i don't have a part number i'm afraid

but thinking about it the T-Track channel will be universal on all Thule crossbars, so it will be down to the length of the crossbars to match the length of rubber

I now after pondering on it over a large can of Tango Orange, seem to recall the method used

he removed the rubber cut it for the T-Track bolts to stick out, and replaced, when he wasn't using the bolts he removed them and filled the holes left with silicone which he scraped out the next time he want to use the rack.

Using the rubber will reduce noise, but by ??%, so i would start by taping up to find out as said previously  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Here's what I've done:

1: Contacted Thule HQ in the UK (they were hopeless herein CH - no surprise). Lady in Customer Service said they will not supply them direct to the public - but - if I contacted Exeter Roof Racks Tel: 01404 823 990 and ask for "Roland" he should be able to help.

2: Just 'phoned Roland - gave him product details and car+model year. No problem:he has the rubbers in stock and will post them out today. Total cost for a pair including postage to a UK address £11:40 (my mate will send them to Switzerland for me with some other gear he's got of mine).

3: Excellent Service at a Very Fair Price.

Now it's up to Postie.

That's good news....we like stories like these

Just try make the cut outs as tight as
possible then there is less chance for whistling

Good price though, they would be another £20 from
LR  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

npinks wrote:

Just try make the cut outs as tight as
possible then there is less chance for whistling

Good price though, they would be another £20 from
LR

I'll keep everyone posted as soon as they get here in CH and I've fitted them and done some "road trials". But at £11:40 if the rubbers are not the solution to the whistling then it's no great financial loss. But it does mean that the cause of the problem may then be a bit harder to find

athelstan wrote:

Has anyone else fitted this carrier and is experiencing the same noise intrusion, or have you found a "quiet" solution

Yes, I have. You can see photos of the installation here at my photo album.

http://no.fotoalbum.eu/bjartin/a131467/2

No, no solution, I live with the wind noise. LR Freelander2 2,2 Td4 HSE manuel Stornaway Grey (Metallic) & Ebony Black Leather & Sun/Moon-roof & Bi-Xenon & Roof Rails & Tow bar & Body side rubbing strips & Cold climate pack & Privacy glass & NavTeq . Production Date: 11/5-2007 in Halewood.

Sorry, but I have changed to Defender 90 ", and I love my" tractor ".
http://www.youtube.com/bjartin