Date:         Wed, 22 Jul 1998 08:21:15 -0100
Reply-To:     The Bus Depot <ron@NETCARRIER.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         The Bus Depot <ron@NETCARRIER.COM>
Subject:      Re: Luggage Rack Seal, Wind Noise and Solution
Comments: To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
In-Reply-To:  <9819906b.35b515f7@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> However, during a test drive I encountered a strong buffeting din
> from wind induced vibration of the luggage rack at speeds above 50 mph. >
> Noting that I merely set the rack in place on the roof and tightened the
> constraining screws, I decided to preload the top to remove the
> air gap at the seal. Using my available resources
> I clambered up into the luggage rack, released all the side screws, then
> retightened them.  After release (and me in the rack), the rack dropped
> somewhat more than 1 mm all around as evidenced by the new location of the
> screw heads and the residual rust stains on the fiberglass.
> Result ... no wind noise up to unmentionable velocities. Water poured into
the
> luggage rack still seeps out slowly. Success.


A couple of points here regarding Frank's excellent post.  First, I will
provide a luggage rack seal with an insulation bulb for $10 more on request.
But I remain convinced that this is not a good idea unless neccessary.  The
original VW design (which did NOT use a bulb) calls for rainwater to drain
out from under the luggage rack, a process which can be impeded by a bulb.
Repositioning the seal (or the rack in Frank's case) slightly will solve any
wind problem, which occurs in about one out of every 40-50 seals installed,
so it is rare to begin with.  This will also maintain the original design's
drainage capability.  I am not sure why one person here or there experiences
a wind noise and the rest don't, unless it is perhaps that their luggage
rack is slightly higher off the body or they have pushed the seal up
slightly higher.  I should note that it is NOT neccessary to remove the
luggage rack to install the seal, as Frank did (although perhaps he removed
it to clean it anyway).

- Ron Salmon
 The Bus Depot
 http://www.busdepot.com
 (215) 234-VWVW