Roof Rack goes Brrrrrrrrr

[Harlock]

When I've driven in below freezing weather recently, the front wind fairing on my Victory 4x4 roof rack will make a loud Brrrrrrr noise. Like most aftermarket racks, the faring has a rubber gasket on the underside between the roof and the rack. Would it be better to move the fairing closer to the roof for a tighter fit, or further away so there's a small air gap between to the roof and the fairing?

 

[crawlingjunk]

Maybe the rack is cold?[emoji16]


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[ThorRides]

Closer equals less noise.

 

[Boort]

When I've driven in below freezing weather recently, the front wind fairing on my Victory 4x4 roof rack will make a loud Brrrrrrr noise. Like most aftermarket racks, the faring has a rubber gasket on the underside between the roof and the rack. Would it be better to move the fairing closer to the roof for a tighter fit, or further away so there's a small air gap between to the roof and the fairing?

I had a similar issue with my sherpa back when I first installed it. Here are the things that I did while working to eliminate the noise:

I'm assuming that you have already checked that all connectors are tightened to spec and that any washers are installed and in good repair.

Besides lowering the gap as others have suggested (which may switch the sound from a BRRRRRRrr to a Whistle.) Look to see if it is possible to move it back or forward a bit so that the air coming off the windshield hits it in a different location. Moving back should have it hit a bit higher up and reduce the amount of air boing under and behind the front lip of the deflector. (or forward so that it hits lower and is not pushing back on the top edge causing a wobble.)

Do you have a bug deflector on the hood? if so try taking it off.

If this does not work reach out to Victory and see if they have any other suggestions or adjustments to change the angle of impact. Possibly shimming out the bottom to give the deflector a sharper angle will slipstream the air flow more.

Boort

 

[GhostRing]

Absolutely get the fairing to make contact with the roof. The lower edge is likely buffeting in the wind since there is no support directly behind it.
Re-drill/slot the side plates to re-locate it if you have to. Add some 3M/helicopter tape to the roof to protect the paint if it's not there already.

This happens every so often with platform fairings regardless of manufacturer, so don't fear that you got a lemon... Also, is the fairing cut for a lightbar?
If there is no light installed it can potentially make the first crossbar the wind's main point of contact and it could start making noise.

 

[Harlock]

Maybe the rack is cold?[emoji16]

It's definitely freezing! :smow:

I'm assuming that you have already checked that all connectors are tightened to spec and that any washers are installed and in good repair.

Do you have a bug deflector on the hood? if so try taking it off.
Boort

The rack is dead silent at all times except when temperatures drop below freezing. All bolts were installed with washers and loctite. No bug deflector.

Absolutely get the fairing to make contact with the roof. The lower edge is likely buffeting in the wind since there is no support directly behind it.

Add some 3M/helicopter tape to the roof to protect the paint if it's not there already.

Also, is the fairing cut for a lightbar?

I have that helicopter tape on the roof under the rack. There's no lightbar cutout.

Closer equals less noise.

Sounds like you guys are indicating the metal may be shrinking in really cold weather just enough to start flexing.

 

[hoppyjr]

Well, shrinkage in cold weather is a very real thing.

[emoji23]