[2000 Tow Hitch Installation fro 2001 Outback]

I took the tow hitch package off my 2000 wagon outback when I sold it and now want to put it on a 2001 Outback Wagon. A guy in the parts dept at the local dealer said that my model number isn't safe to install on a 2001 to use for towing BUT since I am only using it to put a bike rack into, he said it would be no problem.He also said to install it, holes need to be drilled into the underplate. I really don't want to have to leave an arm and a leg at the dealer's for installation, so I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations. Would any old shop be able to do it? Is it simple enough that my boyfriend could do it? Any guidance would be appreciated. Thank you! Shantam

[driver's window wind noise fix]

Wow!! Thank you so much! I am on my second new gen OBWGN and both have had wind noise problems that drive me crazy and I too, live over an hour away from the dealer. I just tried your fix it trick and I can tell it the window has a much tighter seal now and doesn't feel so loose. I was only able to take it for a quick test run but it seems to have worked. Thank you very much!!!

 

My 02 OBW LTD has had a wind noise problem since I took delivery. Yes, its a warranty issue, but since the dealership is a 70 km trip away, I've put off getting it corrected until I have some more issues to get straightened out at the same time. Last week I noticed that the weatherstrip that the tweeter is attached to on the driver's door, didn't fit snuggly to the glass, and if I pressed it towards the glass, I could eliminate the wind noise. (I understand that Subaru's fix is to replace this seal.) What I did was lower the glass and pull the tweeter from the door (its a press fit with 3 plastic plugs that fit into holes in the rubber seal) Just grasp the tweeter and rock it back and forth till it pops out. Be careful not to pull the tweeter too far from its mounting since the wires to it are only 3 inches long and are very small in diameter! I discovered that the seal has a steel lining that I could push/force/bend with my hand, a small amount towards the outside of the car, thereby closing up the space in the seal that the glass slides in. This held the rubber that the tweeter sits on right onto the glass, and has totally eliminated the wind noise. Hope this helps someone out.

[2005 Forester Wind Noise?]

Hello, I am on this site searching for info on wind noise as well. This is my second Subaru Outback Wagon and both have had wind noise problems. My current problem seems to be because of the mirror gusset seal. I had my old car "fixed" at the dealer but it never really went away. On my old car, it was on the driver side, this time it is the passenger so my sense is that it is a faulty gusset/seal design. If you find a fix, please let me know. I taped the outer seal of the gusset with electrical tape to see if it made a difference and it does seem to, but hasn't completely fixed it or I would consider filling in the crack with silicone.

 

Hi All

I checked all the old postings for wind noise and couldn't find anything that sounds like my problem, maybe someone can give me some ideas. I had the car back to the dealer today, a 2005 Forester with 1300 miles because I was hearing a faint "clunking" (lack of a better description) noise from the passengers side only at highway speeds. The sound doesn't follow engine rpm and doesn't increase with speed, nor does it change when turning. There is no noise at lower speeds, it starts around 45 mph up to 65 mph and is not constant. The service technician took a ride and confirmed that the noise isn't mechanical but wind passing over the mirror/window. The window gussets and gaskets don't seem to be a problem. If this is a design issue why is the noise only on the passengers side? The wind doesn't just blow on that side, shouldn't both sides of the car be the same? Has anyone come across this or have any suggestions I could try. The noise isn't too loud but it doesn't seem right to have this on a brand new car.

Thanks and sorry for the long post.