Farad roof bars - wrong way round?

[garmcqui]

Afternoon all, just fitted a set of Farad Pro roof bars to my F30, after they got a good review (4.5 stars) on recent Autoexpress test: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/103...

BUT, just took the car for a test drive and the wind noise above 40mph is deafening, almost like resonance.

Just wanted to check - have I fitted them the right way round? The instructions were limited.





I went for this way as most of the photos of the Thule Wingbars I found online indicated this way...

[vikingaero]

Bit hard to see from your photos, but does it have rubber strips in the channels. On my MINI ones it whistles like a banshee when the rubber strips are removed. If you have only one use for the roof bars - ie bikes only then consider cutting the strips and placing them around the bolts.

[garmcqui]

Yes, rubber strips inserted top and bottom, cut to size almost exactly.

[Scrump]

Why not try them the other way round and see if things improve?

[garmcqui]

Just found the following on the instructions actually, so it would seem I have them on the right way. Hmmm

Edited by garmcqui on Tuesday 7th August 17:52

[Scrump]

garmcqui said:

Yes, think I might. Don’t want it to look stupid though. Lol

I would have fitted them the same way round you have.

[anonymous-user]

Have you tried fitting something to them, I found roof bars make more noise when it is only the bars.

[garmcqui]

Got a 470L box being fitted on Thursday, so will see then. Cheers!

[spookly]

They look the right way to me. I have Thule Wingbar edge bars, absolutely unnoticeable noise so they are left on the car all the time.

[garmcqui]

Hmmm, something isn’t right with these then.

Reviews online say they are quite quiet, but these ones certainly are not. Might try get a recording from the dashcam.

[996TT02]

If you can, take them back. You will not sort this out. I had the same problem with different roof bars that had a second bar close to the roof to tension the legs inwards. I only fixed it by replacing the round lower bars with wire rope. Seems your car's aero and those bars are incompatible.

[garmcqui]

You think I’d be able to return them, even though I’ve cut the rubbers to size?

I mean, in my opinion, they’re not fit for purpose

[garmcqui]

Here is a video of the noise, accelerating from ~30 to ~70mph.

https://youtu.be/N7FQ8B4SqLU

Unacceptable, no?

[gizlaroc]

Definitely!!

I have some old Thule Aero bars, had them on my cars for the last 15 years or so and they are virtually silent. There is slight noise with them at 75mph and up, but you have to open the pano roof to hear it really.


It looks more like the foot pack is not designed properly for your car to me.
The angles look all wrong.

[Krikkit]

In my experience there should be some noise, but nothing like that.

I always liken it to leaving the sunroof tilted open while on the motorway (at worst!)

[Zetec-S]

Agree with others, definitely too noisy.

We have a set of Thule bars (just the bog standard ones, not aero) and they're no-where near as bad as that!

[garmcqui]

Received an email reply from the manufacturer, Farad...

“Dear Customer,
in order to avoid the noise, we can send you some spoilers to be placed under the bars (see attachment).”



So it would seem they are aware of a problem in some cases?

Nonetheless, I have since gone and got a set of big standard Thule bars, and the noise is actually better!!

Edited by garmcqui on Wednesday 8th August 19:56

[GIYess]

Is there any gaps at all on the insides of the feet? Any small hole will cause a whistle. I got an old set of bars and covered them with duct tape and that cured the noise. Thule bars are the bees knees though compared to any other makes I've used if you can stomach the prices.