2008 BMW X5 and when I drive over 50 mph the front rack vibrates extremely loudly. Any ideas on how to fix? made as tight as possible.
1341692
Mine does too...at around 60 mph. I take it off unless I specifically need it to cary something, otherwise it is off. It is easy to take it off and put back again. Alex
1341693
The air flow from the windshield is the culprit. You can try to move the front rack forward or backward. It might attenuate the vibration but I doubt that it'll disappear completely. All racks whose bars are square have the same problem. A friend added a plastic deflector to the front bar and it has reduced the noise significantly. Good luck!
2228377
Background noise is most likely rfi ( radio frequency interference) from the engines ignition. I believe it is caused by poor shielding on the cables that make up this device. Aside from wrapping it in aluminum foil, there is really not much you can do. Make sure you have a good ground contact also helps. I used the dash cross bar, not the radio. That helped. Also I twisted a shielded and grounded wire around the cable from the control unit to the radio head unit. Then gave up and realized it was a cheap yet functioning alternative to installing some ugly aftermarket radio.
1119749
Year and a half late to answer, but it might still help someone else...Mine squeaked. Took forever to find the cause. Was the connection on the center pole below/between the pedals, where the front and rear section connect. I sprayed the heck out of it with wd40 and tightened the crap out the 2 or 3 bolts that connect that area. Problem solved. SOUNDED like it was coming from the joints on the handles, but it was not. The torque from usage is what makes it squeak.
1832966
I drive a 2011 Nissan Frontier... no issues with vibration. maybe on a really old car or bumpy road there would be.
1677057
Any word from anyone as to techs being able to quiet the noise? I also have the XBR4 and the noise is ever present.
1526697
I haven't had that problem. I have been up to 70 mph on the freeway and no trouble. The noise from a soft top at that speed would cover up any noise, but the seal seems good anyway.
932716
Doesn't sound normal at all....if the squeal is present only when using the "beater bar brush" for carpet, then it could be the brush motor bearings and if always present, it would seem to be the main motor bearings...just my guess. If still under any warranty, check into that because a main motor is very expensive. Sorry to hear of your problem.
2142154
I havent tried it but I would think the bars could be cut easily. Not sure if you can get the end caps out without breaking them. That would be the only issue. On the noise issue... I have a Subaru outback and the rack makes no noise at all. I experimented with moving the attachments to different locations. When I put the fwd bar fwd of the Subaru oem bar it was very loud on the freeway. Moved it back and it's fine now may need to experiment with a different car. Keep in mind it is not the rack hardware making the noise it's the air interaction between the rack and other parts of the car.
1547515
Unfortunately, I think this is somewhat normal. I had one bike that was really loud, and only got louder as the faster I peddled. Sent the bike back and the new bike also makes noise from the belt and drive train. I think this is normal and is poor quality of this sunny bike model.
1849628
The only noise I heard was some squeaking on very high speed bumps and was caused by the Thule Mountaineer being loaded completely with heavy ski gear. They lock into place & I never noticed anything different than having them or not. Like I said the squeaking I heard was the cargo box, not the crossbars. I drove to over 1000 miles each way on the highway at 80MPH+ and never noticed them. Have driven without the box and it sounds no different. Of course I'm not driving with my head out the window to get unclose and personal to know for absolute certain, but this is the first I have ever thought about any excess noise from them being installed. Plus, they are so easy to install and remove, it should not be an issue if there would be any reason to take them off.
1785779
I have a BMW as you describe and I have never really noticed the hum or possibly only at high volumes when a pause in the music. It has never been an annoyance for me. I hope this helps ; )
1631572
We had 4 bikes on it and none was hitting the car. However, the rack BROKE from the weight of the bikes (2 adult, 2 kids bikes) and the constant vibrations you get when you drive. Be careful! You don't want it to break while driving and have the bikes fall down on the road!
1454786
Did you turn up the volume. That seemed to also affect the vibration and shock.
1953196
In my experience vibration is not a problem, the clutch or bar usually break before vibration becomes a problem. The failure rate of other components exceeds any problem with vibration.
477056
If I go faster than a brisk walk my front wheels start shaking like crazy. I'm inquiring as to whether it is a factory defect.
128881
Thank you! That was definitely part of my problem. One last question: when opening, I hear a pleasant ratcheting sound, which I don't hear when closing. Does yours also not make that sound in one direction?
1629072
Are they the subs that rattle or your trunk? I'm pushing a 10" RF T1 and it knocks hard. It could either be your box or the metal vibrating from your trunk or license plate