Windshield whistle... fixed? (1 Viewer)

[bloc]

Heading out to California and since there was so much interstate time I brought a roll of blue painters tape to modify airflow and see if I could alter or eliminate the common low pitch whistle from the windshield.

Background.. 2013 LC with a replaced windshield. It is not OEM. Tech reused the side trim and did a s***ty job of it so back in May I ordered all new clips and a flexible epoxy for the top clip pads.. trim is now installed perfectly.

Taping the sides at the bottom, no change. Middle, no change. Top.. whistle got substantially louder...

So I removed all of the side tape and put a line across the top covering the rubber trim strip. Noise: GONE. Speed, wind, nothing matters. No noise.

Now I don’t know whether this trim is factory. It had a very small indentation running across the front.. seems like the kind of thing specifically to reduce whistling. Either way the plan is to get ahold of an OEM part and try to identify whether there is a difference.

The problem is I’m pretty sure changing that trim strip would require pulling the whole piece of glass.

Thoughts anyone? Or someone with a factory windshield can you get a close up shot of the upper rubber trim to compare? For now I’m enjoying the lack of a whistle.. will get another pic of the trim at some point today.

 

[Sac Cerevisiae]

Maybe run a bead of epoxy/rubber caulking between the windshield and roof?

 

[bloc]

I’d be worried about getting it all cleanly off the body if the windshield needs replaced..

Tape off, sound is back. Now I’ll try taping just the leading edge then just the trailing to try and narrow things down.

Anyone have access to a supercomputer for some CFD modeling?

 

[Sac Cerevisiae]

Try some Plasti-Dip. Comes off easily and could create a semi-permanent seal. Just tape off and spray.

 

[JLee]

Who did your windshield replacement? Safelite has a lifetime warranty on their work.

 

[gaijin]

I’d be worried about getting it all cleanly off the body if the windshield needs replaced..

Tape off, sound is back. Now I’ll try taping just the leading edge then just the trailing to try and narrow things down.

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Anyone have access to a supercomputer for some CFD modeling?

I also have a 2013LC (silver) which I bought new, but the top edge of my OEM windshield (as is from the factory - never replaced) looks nothing like yours.

Here are some pics taken from the driver's side looking across and down at the top edge:

Looks to me like whoever replaced your windshield used some "alternative" gasket for the top edge - and most probably the source of your wind noise.

I have no wind noise of any kind.

HTH

 

[bloc]

Wow thanks for the pics.

Yeah I’m betting this is some generic rubber trim and it doesn’t play nice with the way the air flows over the top edge.

The glass was installed by a body shop the dealer works with a lot. In Virginia.

I had been toying with the idea of purchasing an OEM panel and having someone install it to get the better glass quality whenever I get a significant chip.. this is pushing me more in that direction.

 

[Ali FJ80]

The molding can normally be removed and replaced without pulling the glass, I believe its normally put in after the glass is stuck on. Just order the OEM and swap it out or have it swapped out in the mean time.

 

[bloc]

I guess I assumed it was held in by the urethane at the top of the windshield. Which does kind of make the case for removing my trim and gluing something smaller in..
I’ll get the factory trim and see what I can do.

Either way I think we’ve solved the whistling windshield issue since it always seems to happen to rigs with replaced windshields

 

[gaijin]

I guess I assumed it was held in by the urethane at the top of the windshield. Which does kind of make the case for removing my trim and gluing something smaller in..
I’ll get the factory trim and see what I can do.

Either way I think we’ve solved the whistling windshield issue since it always seems to happen to riga with replaced windshields

FYI, looks like the part you need is not expensive: Upper Molding - Toyota (75531-60080) | Toyota Parts

HTH

 

[Willy beamin]

I noticed this pic is missing on my vehicle. Just ordered it. Thanks for the good information guys!

 

[2001LC]

I've seen some of the larger top molding before on 100 series. Some are just pressed on covering the true seal (molding) others are actually the seal (molding) and can't be removed without pulling windshield.

I once liked those to protect leading edge of roof line from rock chips. But I've learned less is better, as more will trap organics and stain paint. It also can lead to rust.

You can see if one end pulls up/off easily and cleanly (No urethane holding down)

These larger moldings don't generally whistle on their own. You may have a leak along the top seal of windshield to body. This could be very bad, as water may enter cabin electronics. I'd do a smoke or soap bubble test for leaks.

Whomever did your install job did it wrong.

 

[bloc]

It has been raining profusely here for a few weeks and no signs of leaks in the six months or so I’ve owned the truck. Also this seems to be a relatively common issue on our trucks.. I’m betting it has more to do with aerodynamics of the aftermarket molding plus windshield and roof angles than it does an actual leak.

And yes I thought about protecting the leading edge.. however pulling up the back edge of the molding reveals my white paint being quite brown from organic matter getting trapped there. Still looking for time to try removing the molding before I start pulling/cutting at it. Will take pics of that process too.

 

[2001LC]

Good to hear you've no leak.

I've had to deal with paint staining from those large moldings. Using correcting compound with a DA works well once off, provide it's not eaten into paint. Keeping cleaned under lip is best defense until removed.

 

[pizdets17]

would this be the same part for my 09 LX?

FYI, looks like the part you need is not expensive: Upper Molding - Toyota (75531-60080) | Toyota Parts

HTH

 

[gaijin]

would this be the same part for my 09 LX?

I have no idea.

 

[bloc]

would this be the same part for my 09 LX?

09 LX originally shows 75531-60050 which also supercedes to gaijin's 75531-60080 number

 

[bloc]

Pulled the aftermarket stuff off today. Came off without too mouth trouble.. though some over applied urethane in a few spots will make mounting the factory trim difficult.

The brown strip came right off with a wet rag. This trim has been on since roughly april so maybe not long enough to actually stain the paint.

 

[2001LC]

Sweet! Have you taken a test drive yet, to see is whistle gone?

You may be able to get the correct molding on now, for appearance sake.

 

[bloc]

Sweet! Have you taken a test drive yet, to see is whistle gone?

You may be able to get the correct molding on now, for appearance sake.

Since I got back home I haven't really been on the freeway much to test it. During the 70mph I did yesterday there was a bit more wind noise with the strip gone, which makes sense. This weekend I'll be doing a small roadtrip so perfect conditions to test it out.

And yeah, I'm hoping I can find a way to glue in the stock trim so the gap isn't as obvious and won't catch leaves/pollen/dirt/etc. Will post here when I figure that out.