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Wind Whistle noise has nothing to do with stickers.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by JahT, Apr 18, 2022.

  1. JahT

    JahT Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2007
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    I'd say 90% of the posts about a whistle noise at speed say it is the clear stickers covering the 3 screws under the rear view mirrors that are missing or split and vibrate to make a noise. FALSE, I think people think the noise goes away after applying new stickers but their noise is just intermittent or dependent on conditions.

    My whistle sound went away when air pressure in the car changed either by opening a window or using climate controls. So that means it is interior-to-exterior seal related and not some external "kazoo jug-band" preventing sticker. So I think the "screw hole tape" people had their A/C on and thought the noise was gone. If you dig hard enough through "whistle" posts on the forum and google you'll see that the problem is actually the shrinking exterior seal around the side mirrors.

    It is an easy fix that anybody with a 10mm socket and foam weather-strip could do. I cleaned the surface and used a new adhesive foam that I already had, I cut strips and made sure gaps were tight or overlapping. On mine there was evidence of water intrusion, so this will keep out wind and water. I have a new noise-free car ride now.

    Don't reuse the old seal, a new factory seal was originally thicker. I used a 1/4" thick foam but made sure it could compress down to 1/16"th so it didn't stress the plastic but made a good seal, then I helped compress it by pushing the mirror on with my hand as I put the nuts back that hold the mirror on. See the shrinking seal pulled itself down, arrows show where it bunched up and how it should be up to the top corner. The last picture shows how the seal should sit and where you should adhere the new foam seal material.

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    #1 JahT, Apr 18, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2022
    ItsWheels, SFO and PaulDM like this.
  2. hec983

    hec983 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2023
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    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Pictures not working !!!