There's no forum for "windshield crackles at high speeds"

Springthing · Jul 29, 2017

Alright, for lack of a better place to post this I figured this would be as good as any.

Just bought a 2009 Silverado and there are a few quirks to it, of course, but one of the oddest ones is that the windshield crackles when I go about, say, 65. Think of it as driving into an area that's got a bunch of bugs and/or crinkling that plastic wrap they have on flowers from the store. I have no idea what it could be, thought I'd check here in case anyone else, by some strange coincidence, has had the issue as well. Or, of course, any thoughts otherwise. Thanks!

xPosTech · Jul 30, 2017

The weatherstripping around the windshield flutters at speed, more so with a bug shield. Some have had good results using 3M double sided tape to prevent the flutter.

If it's intermittent it might take some sleuthing to find. Keep a roll of good quality blue painter's or duct tape in the truck so you can find it when it happens. Start by taping down the weatherstripping where it seems to be loudest with a 12 or 18 inch lengh of tape. You want to cover the weatherstripping and windshield about half and half with the tape. If it lessens the sound experiment until you find where it's fluttering. Then mark with a grease pencil. You will need something pretty stiff to hold up the weatherstripping while you get the 3M tape under it.

You might find the technique by Googling and searching YouTube. Harbor Freight has a pretty good set of plastic prying tools for not much money.

Ted

Springthing · Jul 30, 2017

Thanks Ted, I'll definitely give that a try, sounds very plausible. I can't say I've ever had this issue. Very strange indeed.

RayVoy · Jul 30, 2017

Not trying to throw cold water on Ted's suggestion; but, do they use weather stripping on windshields any more?
The glass is just glued into the body hole.

xPosTech · Jul 31, 2017

You have a point, Ray. Rethinking this it must be the vertical weatherstripping on the A pillar. I'll check my truck in a few minutes. I've got physical therapy three times a week. Gotta keep the VA happy.

Ted

Springthing · Jul 31, 2017

It's just odd, I can't say I've ever had anything remotely like this happen before.

xPosTech · Aug 1, 2017

On mine there's metal reinforced weatherstripping at the windshield edges left and right. Putting it another way the weatherstripping is at the front of the A pillars. I don't know about the front of the driver's and passenger's windows. My AVS tape-on Ventvisors cover the window edges almost to the mirrors.

This fluttering noise is common when bug deflectors are installed on the front of the hood. They do change the aerodynamics on the front of the truck. Plenty of data available online if you Google.

Ted

Springthing · Aug 1, 2017

xPosTech said:
This fluttering noise is common when bug deflectors are installed on the front of the hood.

Ted

This is probably the exact culprit. There's a bug deflector installed on it. thanks!

There's no forum for "windshield crackles at high speeds"

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