Date: Sun, 31 May 1998 19:41:06 -0700
Reply-To: Mark Daley <daley@USC.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Mark Daley <daley@USC.EDU>
Organization: University of Southern California
Subject: Bus Depot luggage rack seal and wind noise
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> >I've noticed the same problem. When driving across CA680 through Susuin
> (known
> >for its high winds) Enough air passed under the luggage rack to cause it to
> >start vibrating. I agree that it appears that the top seal had the bulb
> like the
> >rear one, that this problem would be eliminated.
>
> Frankly this is old news, we've been here before, the origional seal is a
> SEAL all the way round, identical contour not merely a cover strip on the
> front. When I bought my first such seal from WCM 5-6 years back, when they
> first started selling them they gave you identical bulb pieces all the way
> round and a correctly contoured glue on piece for the top front of the
> pop-top, then I noticed I didn't need to pay the ludicrous price anyway when
> you can order the stuff by the foot for about $1.75/ft from McMasterr-Carr
> (do a search) which may even still be less than Bus Depots price (maybe not
> Ron's prices are/were pretty good on this for various reasons 8-) But the
> McMasterr-Carr does have the pebble finish (As did mine from WCM). Anyway
> I've noted before I doubt the sense in installing something without the bulb
> around the front end for air reasons, BUT it might be superior for drainage
> out from under the rack, or it might be worse cause windshield water will
> blow up under and back to the canvas. VW sealed the joint, I have as well
> on all my Westies.
Are you guys talking about Vanagons or the earlier buses? I've had a
similar problem with the luggage rack on my 89 Vanagon Westy, ever since
I installed an aftermarket seal from Euro-American RV Products. I don't
remember who manufactured it, but I think it was "Old Volks Home" or
something like that... is that the same as Bus Depot? I'm not sure what
you mean by the "bulb," but my seal is in effect a piece of tubing fused
to the self-clamping part... is that what you mean? In any case, what do
I do to get rid of the noise? Is there a glue I could use that would
stop the vibration but not ruin the finish on the roof of the van?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark
'89 Westfalia
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