Ford Kuga

 Service Manual

Body Repairs - General Information » Wind Noise
Possible concerns with corrective measures

NOTE: Instructions on general noise are summarized separately in the Noise, Vibration and Harshness section. These can be useful when searching for the causes of wind noises.

There follows an outline of the possible concerns relating to wind noises. Selected examples are given showing the causes of wind noises and the ways in which they can be eliminated. They are intended to provide troubleshooting tips and suggestions for the user but do not represent an exhaustive faults list. The topics are subdivided by the different groups of components.

The test procedures described in the Noise, Vibration and Harshness section can be used when troubleshooting.

Seals

In general, seals are very important when eliminating wind noises. Special attention should always be paid here to the possible causes of wind noises.

Take the following points into account:

• Seals age, i.e. they become porous and with time they lose their original elasticity. If the vehicle is relatively old and there are already visible signs of distortion or damage to a seal, then it should be replaced.
• At high speeds the doors or hatches may lift slightly from the seal surfaces because of variations in air pressure. Wind noises are caused when the preload on the sealing surface is not sufficient. The preload depends on the installation position of the components, the elasticity of the seal and the location of the sealing flange.
• The contact surface of the seal must be sufficient. This can be checked using the chalk test. If the specifed width of the contact surface is not known, you must determine it on another component of identical construction.
• A bulging seal carrier indicates that the sheet metal of the retaining flange is uneven.
• Seals must be correctly installed. Special attention must be paid at corners -arrow- that the installation follows the contours.
• The seal must not show any kinks or folds or any other damage.
• Seals must seal all around their circumference.

  Gaps in seals result in openings which lead to an increased incidence of noise. In this respect, it is especially important to pay attention to the seals in the area of the windows.

Remedial Action

Renew older seals which no longer have adequate preload. Deformed or widened retaining flanges must be reworked and provided with a new seal.

The corner areas -arrow- of a seal must be properly seated. In some circumstances, a butyl sealing strip must be affixed to support the sealing at a corner.

Bonded joints

Glass is usually installed today using a bonded joint. Gaps in the bonded joint can lead to noises in the vehicle interior. If there are noises which are believed to be associated with window glass, the following points should be checked:

Gap in window bonding

• The window must be bonded without any gaps -arrow-. Leaks can be found using the ultrasonic tester or compressed air carefully blown from inside onto the window glass bonding.
• The installed position of the window glass must be correct. It must not have been bonded into a position which is too low or offset to one side.
• The sealing or trim strips must fit tightly and the glass must be mounted so that it is fully enclosed. If a sealing or trim strip has not been applied with enough pressure, high airspeeds can cause it to lift up. This can lead to wind noises at higher speeds. Apply masking tape to these areas for test purposes.

Corrective measures

Leaking areas of the window glass bonding material can be sealed using PU sealing compound. Pay special attention at the front windshield, that any breaks in the bonding are not too large. Otherwise the glass must be removed and bonded in place again.

The installed location of a window glass cannot be corrected. It must be removed and bonded into place again.

Replace the trim strips or secure the lip seal using PU adhesive.

Gaps, edges

Door gaps and edges are places where air turbulence can form. This causes noises which can be perceived as troublesome.

Gaps and edges - problem areas

Doors, hood and tailgate can cause wind noises because of gaps -arrow- which are too large. If the components are not installed flush to the bodywork or the neighboring component, air break edges can arise, which in turn can create a wind noise.

The sun roof may be the cause of whistling noises in the roof area. The sun roof may be incorrectly adjusted or the seal on the sun roof may be damaged.

Noises from the door area could come from a window which does not fully close. Side guides (seals) can also be the cause of wind noises.

The covers of window frames can be incorrectly mounted or aligned. The quarter-lights in doors must also be checked for correct installation.

Corrective measures

Check the gaps and adjust them according to the specifications. If there are problems at the sun roof, correct the adjustment and if necessary replace the seals.

Problem area at side windows

Side windows which do not fully shut -arrows- must be adjusted. If the vehicle is equipped with electric window regulators, the remedy may be to perform the window regulator learning process again. In all cases, make certain that the glass enters far enough into the seal.

Ancillary Components

Components installed on the bodywork may cause noises when they are not correctly mounted.

When troubleshooting it may be helpful to remove the suspected component or, when this is not possible, to mask it off with suitable covering tape.

Roof moldings, roof rail, roof antennas

Moldings and roof moldings must touch the bodywork along their whole length without any gap.

Check the end sections in particular. These must neither have any splits nor stand away from the bodywork.

Noises may come from the roof rail if the seal between it and the roof is not correctly installed or is cracked. Gaps at the mounting grooves of the carrier can also create wind noises.

The roof antenna and antenna foot seal must be correctly secured. The seal must lie completely on the roof and must not be damaged.

Roof moldings mounting

If the original mounting points of the roof moldings are in good condition, the fixing can be improved using silicone sealant -arrow- if necessary. Align or renew the seals of the roof rail. Reduce the clearances of the mounting grooves.

Corrective measures

If the original mounting points of the roof moldings are in good condition, the fixing can be improved if necessary using silicone sealant -arrow-.

Exterior mirrors

Exterior mirrors or covers of exterior mirrors which are not correctly mounted cause noises. The cover must lie evenly on the component and must not lift during driving. There are ducts present on the doors for the electrical or mechanical adjusters for the exterior mirrors. If there are leaks, wind noises will be caused. Holes can also be present at the transition to other components.

Exterior mirror seals

There are ducts present on the doors for the electrical or mechanical adjusters for the exterior mirrors. If there are leaks, wind noises will be caused. Holes can also be present at the transition to other components.

Remedial Action

If there is inadequate sealing of the foam seals -2- they must be replaced or supplemented with suitable material. Transitions to other components can be sealed with butyl sealing compound -1-.

Moldings, covers, door handles, windshield wiper arms

Moldings and covers especially tend to cause wind noises because of their location. These components interrupt smooth bodywork surfaces and air turbulence therefore arises at the edges.

If there are noise concerns in the area of the doors, check especially for gaps and projections. Moldings must not stand away from the bodywork or the door. There must not be any gaps or discontinuities at the location of joints.

Incorrectly adjusted windshield wiper arms can cause wind noises. Especially if they are too far over the glass surface when in the rest position.

Wind noises in the transition area between the air cowl cover and the wing or the windshield can be caused by an incorrectly installed air cowl cover.

At high air speeds the air cowl cover may lift and noises will then occur.

Because of their necessary mechanical features, door handles have a range of openings and edges which allow noise to be generated. The door handle can be masked off for testing purposes. If a reduction in wind noises is noticed, inadequate sealing may be the reason for the noises.

Remedial Action

Openings which are used to secure trim panels must be checked for leaks. Any leaks found can be rectified using butyl strips.

Loose or damaged outer trim on the pillars -arrowmust be secured or replaced.

A butyl sealing strip -1- can be laid underneath the cover in the transition area between the air cowl cover and the wing or windshield.

The sealing of the door handles must be renewed when required. In addition, noise absorbing material can be applied to the back of the door handles.

General information

Workshop diagnosis

Test method

Diagnosis

Possible concerns with corrective measures