Resolved --> Audi Q5 Crossbar Wind Noise

[techm8n]

As many of you already know, the Q5's OEM crossbar has a wind noise issue at freeway speeds.

So I tried installing the Thule WindDiffuser rubber strip from their AeroBlade loadbar and it worked! It fits perfectly and got rid of the wind noise. Tested it up to 90mph.

Thule Cover Strip Patterned 1500mm (8525402005) - $7 each (you'll need to order 2)
http://www.thule.com/en-US/US/Produc...iew=spareparts

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oWdCar_RIOY/T9vst2pKW_I/AAAAAAAAAk0/rLbDvVBirj0/s800/2012-06-13_21-43-39_233.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y-zAbM1jylc/T9vstdGhvqI/AAAAAAAAAkw/mh0Z4jXyr4A/s800/2012-06-13_21-39-59_265.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jPS7xfeNJOw/T9vsswZjgfI/AAAAAAAAAks/auY8W2rjLBU/s800/2012-06-13_21-39-46_561.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-S7Xnd6aZU2Y/T9vssuvcCsI/AAAAAAAAAko/Um93Yinn-To/s800/2012-06-13_21-38-34_173.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Y4Tbe2YLpo4/T9vsse4YxNI/AAAAAAAAAkk/IjaKe4QmbEg/s800/2012-06-13_21-38-01_771.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D6Bbm5h6_e4/T9vsryNQ-GI/AAAAAAAAAkg/fhq0d9EfrLA/s800/2012-06-13_21-36-37_569.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Byq5e92Hw5E/T9vsrhRi39I/AAAAAAAAAkc/a-qtz_W-YZI/s800/2012-06-13_21-36-14_52.jpg

[GTMRS4]

how much did it reduce the sound

[techm8n]

how much did it reduce the sound
I lowered it quite a bit. I was also getting a whistling noise at higher speeds which is now gone.

[Batcave]

Nice mod!

[ehong]

Hi, I have the same problem with the wind noise. I can't find the rubber strip from www.thule.com What is your suggestion?

[BirdmanQ5]

Just installed my winddiffuser strips. Total noise elimination!

[cheewy16]

please let us know where you purchased them. The link doesn't work.

[VroomVroom]

Just strolling through the neighborhood, killing time...

http://www.thule.com/en-US/US/Products/Base-Racks/LoadBars/ARB53-AeroBlade-Load-Bar-Pair#

http://www.rackattack.com/thule.asp

May be worth calling Rack Attack's toll-free number and throwing the info (Thule Cover Strip Patterned 1500mm (8525402005) - $7 each (you'll need to order 2)) their way.

[spijun]

Just strolling through the neighborhood, killing time...

http://www.thule.com/en-US/US/Products/Base-Racks/LoadBars/ARB53-AeroBlade-Load-Bar-Pair#

http://www.rackattack.com/thule.asp

May be worth calling Rack Attack's toll-free number and throwing the info (Thule Cover Strip Patterned 1500mm (8525402005) - $7 each (you'll need to order 2)) their way.

Link for Thule: Out of stock

A long time there is no spare part on http://www.thule.com

http://static-thule-com.r.worldssl.net/ProductImages/Classification_1_root/Image_Hierarchy/ImageFolder_5111/ImageFolder_176038/ARB60_ARB53_ARB47_ARB43_sized_1000x1000.jpg

You have here on this link
http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Thule/852-5402-005.html

[jwynn9154]

Just ordered from http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Thule/852-5402-005.html

[BirdmanQ5]

Got mine from Rack Outfitters

[Boom]

Will do this when I order my Q5.

[Charles.waite]

Thanks to this thread! Hopefully found the solution to the whistling factory roof rack.

[IinsureU]

Hi, I have the same problem with the wind noise. I can't find the rubber strip from www.thule.com What is your suggestion?

Odd, I am not hearing the noise on my 2015 Q5... What speeds are you hearing at and how loud is it ??

[Charles.waite]

It's a decently loud whistling, audible with the sunroof closed and pretty loud when open. You hear it at any speed above 40mph. It's only with the factory crossbars installed. If you take them off the noise goes away.

[q5 dave]

sunroof is basically unusable with cross bars installed. I suggest removing them when not in use, it takes less then a minute to remove them and maybe 2 minutes to install them.

[Charles.waite]

Unusable? How so? My bars don't interfere with the sunroof.

Anyway my wife likes how the car looks with them on.

[q5 dave]

Not unusable but sort of unbearable. I found the wind noise to be loud and annoying with crossbars installed and sunroof opened

[Charles.waite]

Isn't reducing that noise by using the Thule bar cover the whole point of this thread??

[sweetmeat]

looks like Audi is taking your advice. The cross bars on the 2016 have similarly patterned strips.

[07a4sline]

looks like Audi is taking your advice. The cross bars on the 2016 have similarly patterned strips. Can you post a pic of yours? Interested in seeing if Audi will do a swap.

[Charles.waite]

Just chiming in again. Ordered a set of the Thule ribbed cover strips. I'll be sure to update when they arrive and I install them.

[IinsureU]

looks like Audi is taking your advice. The cross bars on the 2016 have similarly patterned strips.

I have a 2015 Q5 and have the same patterned/ribbed strips, guess that is why I am not getting any noise.

[Smittylube]

is it the smooth or the ribbed that makes it quieter?

[IinsureU]

is it the smooth or the ribbed that makes it quieter?

I believe it is the ribbed, but others I am sure will weigh in...

[Charles.waite]

Ribbed for her pleasure.

But seriously, the smooth cover strip causes the whistling apparently. My ribbed Thule strip should arrive soon and I'll report back.

[UroTuning]

Nice mod!

[Charles.waite]

I can also confirm now, these Thule cover strips are awesome.

To be clear there is still wind noise from the bars now but that godawful whistling is gone. I would now rate the wind noise (with the sunroof popped) a 5/10. Great, super cheap fix. Glad I found this thread. [az]

[Smittylube]

I think we need the whipsbar, but I'd expect that too has some degree of noise at freeway speeds

[Batcave]

I think we need the whipsbar, but I'd expect that too has some degree of noise at freeway speeds
Thule has a version called the Aeroblade Edge.

https://www.thule.com/en-us/ca/campaigns/thule-aeroblade-edge

I have these on my car and they are pretty quiet. Small amounts of noise at freeway speeds but not intrusive or annoying.

[bblume]

Not sure if there's a better place for my question...(I picked up a set of used newer crossbars for my SQ5 and they had the newer Audi ribbed rubber strip). At any rate, I was wondering do people simply pull the whole strip out when running components (ski/snowboard rack or bike trays) or has anyone simply made cuts or holes in the rubber so that you can keep the strip along with components ?? Just seeing what ideas are out there??

[Spdu4ia]

Ordered the thule strips today. I'll just be cutting out a section to run the bike rack and putting it on the open areas of the crossbars.

[naudical]

Not sure if there's a better place for my question...(I picked up a set of used newer crossbars for my SQ5 and they had the newer Audi ribbed rubber strip). At any rate, I was wondering do people simply pull the whole strip out when running components (ski/snowboard rack or bike trays) or has anyone simply made cuts or holes in the rubber so that you can keep the strip along with components ?? Just seeing what ideas are out there??

I run the OEM (Thule) Ski/Snowboard rack that utilizes the T-slot attaching point. I was then planning on cutting one of the rubber strips to put in the 6 or so inches on either side of the board racks. However, I have driven 2000+ miles and get no wind noise or whistling so I decided they would not be needed.

[Q5OnTheMove]

Latest direct link to strip, Letter C (https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/support/spare-parts?p=ARB47B&sc=%7B45A1136F-1213-4DA5-8905-DCCD39CFB7C3%7D)

[jmeenach]

My A4 racks whistle like crazy as well. Hopefully this helps!

[Charles.waite]

FWIW, I was bored and perusing TSBs for Q5s and there is a TSB for this whistle. The fix is a ribbed strip just like the Thule one. It's now an Audi part as well in case anyone cares.