[Harden]

One of the first things we noticed on our ride home from the dealer was the unbearable whistling that came from the cross bars on our XC. When we purchased the car we were given a choice between the more squared off bars and the more euro, tear dropped shaped bars. We chose the square bars because all of our current ski and bike equipment would fit, the euro bars would reqiure all new mounts. I was just wondering if any one had any experience with the euro bars or any similar problems with the square bars.<BR>

 

[earache]

Unbearable is definetly the word for these cross bars. Thought there was something wrong with the car at first. The only good thing is that they go on and off very easily. (Ours sit in the garage until needed.) We weren't offered an option on cross bar styles. Had a 2000 XC with the euro style curved crossbars and they made no noise. <P>[This message has been edited by earache (edited 04-15-2001).]<p>[This message has been edited by earache (edited 04-15-2001).]

 

[Harden]

We also had a 2000XC and experienced no problem with the factory bars. The new euro bars thaqt we were offered differ greatly from the 2000 model they are oval and about 4" wide and 1" deep. Our dealer told me that Volvo knows the bars make noise and recomends they be reomved from the car when not in use to prevent the noise. Again, this is a BS answer on a $40,000.00 car. I'm going to see if he will swap out the sqare bars for the oval and see if it makes any difference - I'll let you know.<P>Dan

 

[coastal]

Our dealer strongly suggested getting the euro bars due to the square ones' noise issues.<P>Will probably wait to see what sort of reviews the euro bars get here for noise, as the square ones are probably more compatible with Thule accessories (and Yakima with their new adapter).

 

[sondagsakare]

I've used the same Thule bars on several vehicles, including a 2001 V70 T5. The amount of noise depends in part upon where they are installed. When I mount the bars further back along the roof line, they are almost silent. With bikes, I use a fork mount and mount the bikes backward so that the load bars can be as far back as possible with no contact from the lifted tailgate. No noise. I also use Yakima Windjammers--plastic airfoils that snap around the load bars to disrupt the airflow that causes the noise. Don't consider the available full fairings--they not only look bad IMO but also scratch the roof. Best wishes. Remember that your square-sectioned bars are much sturdier and useful than the thin eurostyle bars.

 

[coastal]

sondagsakare, that makes a lot of sense in terms of where the bars of mounted.. surprised I never thought about that before.. <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/redface.gif"><P>How far back does the front bar need to be mounted back to not make noise? I'll be mounting a couple of longboards to the roof (9'0 and 10'0), and want the boards relatively centered on the roof.<P>Another concern is that I haven't seen the euro bars yet, but my guess is they're quite wide, perhaps too wide to fit my surf rack pads?<P>Thanks!<P>Coastal.

 

[darell]

I have modified a Yakima wind-jammer to work with my Thule bars. Does wonders. I just glued some pipe insulation foam into the wing, and snapped it right around the square bar. Works perfectly, and still works on my Yakima bars.<P>Simply having a load on the bars helps too. They're the worst when empty.<P>- Darell