

| Subject: | Re: '81 Vanagon - Wind Noise Reduction |
| From: | Geoffrey Toye |
| Date: | Wed, 9 Aug 2023 18:32:42 -0400 |
Glad to hear it! On Wed, Aug 9, 2023 at 10:32 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote: > Good for you!. > > I’ll have to try your window test to see if it makes a difference. > > I’ve worked hard on sound improvement. > > Nothing works when windows open on the highway! > > But, when windows closed my vans are quiet enough for easy conversation. > I’ve done a lot of sound deadening in the vans and worked hard to reduce > rattle areas. It makes a big difference. > > Eric Caron > > > > On Aug 8, 2023, at 8:55 PM, Geoffrey Toye <geoffreytoye@GMAIL.COM> > wrote: > > > > It's always been difficult to hold a conversation with my partner while > > cruising at highway speed in our ’81 Vanagon. (I know what you're > thinking, > > you guys need a councillor). But no, it was the wind noise. I did notice > > one day that the noise reduced significantly if I pushed out on the > > driver's window. Checking the front window felt strip the rubber seemed > > hard and there was not much felt pile left. Probably the original at > over > > 40 years old. I replaced the driver's side felt strip, P/N 251 955 453D, > > and what a difference it has made. Conversations are now very easy. The > > passengers felt strip is original too but is less worn and does not seem > to > > be causing a problem, maybe because the passenger window is not used as > > much. > > > > I looked at some online videos on how to change the felt strip before I > > started and it seemed like you just pulled it down from the top and up > from > > the bottom. However, my seal was held in with contact adhesive. Easy > enough > > to pull out from the top but no way was the bottom going to pull out of > the > > door. I even pulled a muscle in my arm trying. I was surprised that the > > seal did not just snap, I pulled so hard. I decided not to pull the door > > card off and remove the window but just splice the new seal against the > old > > as low as I could in the track. Managed to do it just 1/4’ above the > lower > > window seal with a clean butt joint. You have to look very hard to see > the > > join. > > > > Just thought I would share this finding as it made such a difference in > the > > wind noise for only a few dollars and an hour's work. Of course there > is a > > downside, I can no longer use selective hearing and blame it on the wind > > noise. Something that probably can’t be fixed by a counsellor for a few > > dollars and an hour of my time. > >
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