Returning from our trip to Alaska, I had Daryl Christensen (AA Transaxle)
change my 75/90 gear oil which only had about 20K on it.  He used Mobile 1
Delvac 75/90 synthetic and it made a very noticeable improvement in noise
at highway speed.  My wife, who usually never notices any sound on the van,
immediately said something like "the van sounds so much quieter---why is
that?"  I never expected that benefit but it did make a difference.

I hope our trip report to Alaska will be sent in a few days.

Harold
__________
Harold Teer
1991 Westy
Harrisonburg, VA

On Sun, Oct 21, 2012 at 11:53 AM, Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@q.com> wrote:

> I'm not questioning that the predominant noise is from the tires, but the
> route that noise follows to the inside of the van, and how best to
> attenuate it.
>
> Karl Wolz
> Sent from my electronic umbilicus
>
> On Oct 21, 2012, at 8:10 AM, Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@mac.com> wrote:
>
> > tire noise goes out in all directions.
> >
> > I also drive a Chevy Volt (aka electric car with no engine/tranmisssion
> noise). ALL its driving noise is due to tires.
> > In my SVX equipped Vanagons, the engines are very very quiet at or near
> idle. The van gets noticbly  noisier as you drive down the road (even if
> the van is not in gear). The tires and wind are the reason, but the tires
> predominate until you get above 45 mph.
> >
> > On Oct 21, 2012, at 12:10 AM, Karl Wolz wrote:
> >
> >> I don't think the tire noise travels vertically through the wheel
> wells, but rather, through the suspension, and to the large sounding box we
> call a body.  I'm hoping someone can kinda verify my suspicions on that.
> >>
> >> Karl Wolz
> >> Sent from my electronic umbilicus
> >>
> >> On Oct 20, 2012, at 8:18 PM, MICHAEL H <vwdash80@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
> >>
> >>> ... good point, Kim. I can barely hear the tranny whir for tire howl
> on certain surfaces ...          =(: D)                       mike
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> ________________________________
> >>> From: Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
> >>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >>> Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2012 9:55 PM
> >>> Subject: Re: Soundproofing '85 Westy
> >>>
> >>> Road noise is caused by the tires on the pavement. To reduce that
> you'd need to add sound insulation in the wheelwells. Since you are sitting
> on top of the tires, its actually more difficult that at first it would
> seem.
> >>>
> >>> While the area immediately under the seat can easily have more
> insulation added, the area to the sides of the seat are not as accomodating
> (and you've only got 1/8" of metal between you and the outside world there.
> If your cabin has carpeting, you can replace the carpet pad with something
> that absorbs sound better. But you still have the footwell to deal with and
> the step.
> >>>
> >>> Tires themselves can vary quite a bit in terms of noise. In fact, they
> have a rating for that now.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> On Oct 20, 2012, at 9:42 PM, Karl Wolz wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Don't care much about the tinny clang; it's the road noise I'm trying
> to reduce.  Hearing aids tend to amplify all the wrong sounds- like i
> almost can't drive with windows down any more.
> >>>>
> >>>> Karl Wolz
> >>>> Sent from my electronic umbilicus
> >>>>
> >>>> On Oct 20, 2012, at 5:25 PM, MICHAEL H <vwdash80@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> Karl - 2 wks ago I put thermocoustic panels in my 85 GL . I used the
> 12x12 sheets from Eastwood. 3 sheets on the inner skin of the slider, 2
> sheets in each front door, 2 in the nose passenger side and 3 in the
> section behind the driver. I'll get another pkg of 5 for the firewall under
> the rear seat in the spring when engine heat won'be as welcome. the stuff
> cuts easily and forms like water on glass. be sure of placement as it
> REALLY adheres well. about 3 hrs total putzing around and no more cheap,
> tinny echo when the doors are closed. less road noise:lower stereo level:
> more enjoyment !           =(:D)            mike
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> ________________________________
> >>>>> From: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@Q.COM>
> >>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >>>>> Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2012 7:32 PM
> >>>>> Subject: Soundproofing '85 Westy
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Seems to me the van is fairly quiet (keep in mind that I'm pretty
> deaf) till I get up to Seattle on I-5, which has suffered a lot of erosion
> from their inclement weather.  I've also noticed noise from expansion
> joints on concrete roads.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Where do indeed to add sound deadening (and what type/brand)
> material to limit the noise transmitted to the body by the suspension?  Is
> the entire body simply acting as a sounding board?
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Karl Wolz
> >>>>> Sent from my electronic umbilicus
> >
>

--
__________
Harold Teer
1991 Westy
Harrisonburg, VA