Roof Rack Noise..

[travlincub321]

So my explorer was making a loud howling noise... I tested/checked the hubs, wheel bearings, transfer case, everything I could think of... No dice.... It was madding. I kept poking and driving and it was really pissing me off

Well, yesterday, I had sort of an ephinay. In the 40 degree darkness of a grocery store parking lot.... Looking at my roof rail cross bars, they where not on right.... Or I thought they wheren't.. The two closest explorers where lacking the cross bars as well....

So, standing in the cold and dark, I got them off with only a slight fight....

Noise gone... And the buffetting/skiddish feeling I had (which i had never felt on any prior explorers) also left...

How are the cross bars supposed to mount and can those bars being on wrong actually affect the truck that bad??? I was shocked it was those stupid bars and IDK what made me think of it...

Has any one else just left them off?? The explorer looks ugly IMHO with out them, but if it makes this kinda difference, I will find something else to mount up there

 

[koda2000]

they're supposed to mount with the slopped part toward the front of the truck. mine are mounted all the way at the end of their tracks. I've never had any noise or buffeting on any of my Explorers (the Mountaineer racks are different). are your rear springs sagging? that might make a difference.

 

[travlincub321]

No... I have gone over the truck like 600 times.. Well, for now they stay off.. I have had a 94 XLT, 96 XLT 302, 98 Limited SOCH (which never had the timing chain rattle... I got rid of it up in the same mileage my current 00 has) and a 99 Sport and none of the made that noise.. My 98 limited had a saggy behind even... Just bizzare