Wind Noise With Sunroof And Factory Roof Rack

[mpsrent]

I'm a newbie, so I apologize if this topic has been covered before. I have a horrible negative pressure wind noise when my sun roof is open all the way. I can eliminate the noise by closing the sun roof a few inches or by holding up the front wind deflector with my hand. Is there an approved fix for this problem?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Chief]

We'll forgive you and this is a simple one to fix. Your getting the noise because the front most bar on your roof rack is creating a second negative pressure area.

All you have to do is slide the bar back to be in line with the "B" pillar or back slightly further. It's easiest if two people do it but you can walk it by moving it side to side.

Poof! No more wind noise. This was one of the earliest topics here on the board (I remember being told about this problem by my dealer when I picked up my Av on 12/23 and them adjusting the roof rack for me).

There is a TSB on this and your dealer should be aware of the issue. BTW - this isn't exclusive to the Avalanche - the Tahoe has the same issue as does many sunroof / roof rack equipped vehicles where the forward cross support comes over the sunroof opening (or is close to it)

 

[half-breed]

I have the same problem when all of the windows are closed and don't have the roof rack. After a while I figured out that the air deflector dosen't pop up quite enough. If I lift it up a little the buffeting (feels like the roof is going to vibrate right off) goes away. If I let the Av sit overnight with the sun roof open I can use the sunroof open all the way. If it has been closed for a while I have to leave it closed 2 or 3 inches. I think that the springs on the air deflector could be a little stronger.

 

[PMatt75002]

Same problem here, half-breed. I was at the dealership Friday and showed them, and the acted like it was something they had seen before. Said it was no problem, they would either replace the springs or the deflector. Problem is: am leaving for Arkansas today and couldn't risk putting it in the shop, so I'll do it in a week or so.

 

[mpsrent]

Thanks for the feedback. I tried moving the rack backbehind the B pillar, but that didn't resolve the problem. I tired the other tips, opening the back window an inch makes the noise go away. I can also make it go away by closing the roof 2 or 3 inches. I even got it to go away a couple of time by driving with the roof closed a couple of inches and then opening it all they way. Its strange, but I suspect the springs on the deflector might be the problem.