03LX470

Just installed original equipment roof rails (with cross bars) on '03 LX. However there appears to be excessive wind noise due to this. While a small amount of wind noise would be acceptable and perhaps even natural, I am experiencing excessive noise at speeds as low as 30 mph. At 60 mph, the noise is almost unbearable.

Can anyone advise if it is normal or whether any adjustment can cure the problem.

Perhaps removing the cross bars would cure the problem?

Thanks!

redgs4

It's hard to fathom excessive wind noise sound at 30 MPH. Are you sure you closed your sun roof? Windows? My LX is a bit older [99] but very quiet -- no wind noise.

Seems silly, but could you post a picture of your install? Unless something is sticking out I don't see how you are getting that much noise.

03LX470

I took the vehicle back to the place that sold and installed the roof rails. They checked and said the installation was fine. They suggested the cross bars be removed as their position is adjacent to the direction of travel and therefore there will always be wind noise associated with those. Since I got the roof rails more for looks than utility at this point in time I will remove the cross bars and see how it goes.

I would also still be interested in hearing from anyone who has the cross bars and more wind noise than would be expected.

I love this forum! Thanks all!

03LX470

Took the vehicle back to have the cross bars removed. As they were being taken off, I noticed that Toyota has actually embossed distinguishing marks on the front and rear cross bars to identify each. Apparently, during the installation, the front one was wrongly placed in the rear and vice versa. I asked them to change the placing of the bars.

Things are much better now! Although there is slight noise, it is more like what would be expected, unlike before when it was excessive. The front cross bar is slightly lower in height than the rear one thereby creating a smoother wind flow and less noise. Amazing!

redgs4

I just took a quick look at my LX in the garage. A quick inspection of my 99 did not reveal an obvious difference between the front and rear cross bars. But now I'm curious, I'll check out the current model when I bring my GS in for service on Monday. Glad you got your problem resolved, though.