soft bristle brush. If soap bubbles occur at a body seam,
joint, seal or gasket the leak entry point could be at
that location.
WIND NOISE
Wind noise is the result of most air leaks. Air leaks
can be caused by poor sealing, improper body compo-
nent alignment, body seam porosity, or missing plugs
in the engine compartment or door hinge pillar areas.
All body sealing points should be air tight in normal
driving conditions. Moving sealing surfaces will not
always seal air tight under all conditions. At times,
side glass or door seals will allow wind noise to be
noticed in the passenger compartment during high
cross-winds. Over compensating on door or glass ad-
justments to stop wind noise that occurs under severe
conditions, can cause premature seal wear and exces-
sive closing or latching effort. After a repair procedure
has been performed, test vehicle to verify noise has
stopped before returning vehicle to use.
Wind noise can also be caused by improperly fitted
exterior moldings or body ornamentation. Loose mold-
ings can flutter, creating a buzzing or chattering noise.
An open cavity or protruding edge can create whistling
or howling noise. Inspect the exterior of the vehicle to
verify that these conditions do not exist.
VISUAL INSPECTION BEFORE TESTS
Verify that floor and body plugs are in place and body
components are aligned and sealed. If component
alignment or sealing is necessary, refer to the appro-
priate section of this group for proper procedures.
ROAD TESTING WIND NOISE
(1) Drive the vehicle to verify the general location of
the wind noise.
(2) Apply 50 mm (2 in.) masking tape in 150 mm (6
in.) lengths along weatherstrips, weld seams or mold-
ings. After each length is applied drive vehicle. If noise
goes away after a piece of tape is applied, remove tape,
locate and repair defect.
POSSIBLE CAUSE OF WIND NOISE
• Moldings standing away from body surface can
catch wind and whistle.
• Gaps in sealed areas behind overhanging body
flanges can cause wind rushing sounds.
• Misaligned movable components.
• Missing or improperly installed plugs in pillars.
• Weld burn through holes.
.
BODY
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