16 Suburban wind noise 60+ mph

[Prospect62]

Has anyone experienced and/or identified the source of a pretty significant wind noise at 60+ MPH? It's coming from my driver's door somewhere, it sounds like it's right in my left ear while I'm driving.

The truck didn't do this when I first bought it, I'm wondering what could have changed or worn out in a year's time or so. I go to automatic car washes a lot, I was thinking maybe the strong blower at the end might have slightly dislodged the B-pillar trim that sometimes comes off on these trucks. I looked at all my B-pillar trim and it's all securely fastened and doesn't look dislodged even a little.

Could the door seals be going bad? Any ideas?

 

[Danny3737]

Check your window trim, I know that was an issue with earlier models.

 

[tsuintx]

Not that it helps any, but wind noise is pretty much a standard equipment in GM trucks and SUVs. And has been for quite some time already. Unfortunately...

Some have it worse than others. I’ve had both examples over the last 10+ years in our trucks and SUVs.

 

[Prospect62]

Not that it helps any, but wind noise is pretty much a standard equipment in GM trucks and SUVs. And has been for quite some time already. Unfortunately...

Some have it worse than others. I’ve had both examples over the last 10+ years in our trucks and SUVs.

Ha, you sir are not wrong. But this one just started and it's quite loud. Didn't know if there was something specific to this K2 body that is typical that I should check on, other than the B-pillar trim which I've already checked.

 

[Tahoe14]

Use blue painters tape and start taping the gaps and see if it changes the noise. Try to isolate where it is coming from. Good luck.

 

[Tiredmechanic23]

Ha, you sir are not wrong. But this one just started and it's quite loud. Didn't know if there was something specific to this K2 body that is typical that I should check on, other than the B-pillar trim which I've already checked.

B pillar trim can seem like its well on there but still make noise. Mine drove me nuts as I thought it was on solid until it got worse and I saw it vibrating. I 2nd the above use painters tape and tape off the gaps on the trim to see if it goes away. Once my trim was fixed im back to 0 wind noise. If you have a sun roof you could also tape over the seam around it to rule it out.

 

[Prospect62]

Thanks guys I'll give the tape a try!

 

[STORMIN08]

honestly on a 16, i would not rule out the door weather stripping starting to weaken.

i have considered swapping my 17 to new rubbers.

 

[Prospect62]

honestly on a 16, i would not rule out the door weather stripping starting to weaken.

i have considered swapping my 17 to new rubbers.

If that were the culprit I would be exceptionally disappointed. Although really whatever it is, it's already disappointing.

 

[nick14226]

17 Yukon here, might be the same problem, although mine I only notice when it’s cold out (less than 30 deg F) and the truck has been outside for a while. It’s a whistling sound from, I think, front to upper part of drivers door. Thinking a seal is contracting a bit in the cold. After parked in the garage overnight, it’s fine on first drive. I had noticed the upper door frame was out away from the body quite a bit, wonder if at some point a wedge was used if keys were locked in it in the past. Put a wood block at the hinge with window rolled down and kept pushing on the upper frame until it was nicely aligned this summer. Thought I had it, door closes a lot tighter now, but sure enough this winter it’s back. Put sil-glyde on the weather stripping, have hit with compressed air to try to duplicate, folded the mirror in, checked b-pillar, cracked the window, no luck so far. Have to try the painters tape (if it’ll stick in the cold) and/or fog it. Minor, but this kind of thing drives me nuts till I fix it.

 

[nick14226]

@Prospect62 , cooler morning so went back at it. Cautiously optimistic but I think I finally duplicated the sound. Seal just in front of the drivers door mirror, was whistling like crazy when I hit it with the air gun, no sound anywhere else around the door/window. My wife sat inside the truck for me and confirmed it was very noticeable from there as well. Trimmed it back and pushed some grease behind it, we’ll see. Mines too intermittent to know for sure this did the trick on a single test drive, but could be an interesting spot to apply your painters tape and go for a test drive

 

[nick14226]

Video of it:

 

[Tahoe14]

Good find if that ends up being it.

 

[Prospect62]

Thanks @nick14226 that's very helpful, I will try mine!

My noise wasn't really a whistle like you describe it, more of a low pitch "howl". But it's a starting point!

 

[nick14226]

@Prospect62 , reporting back and very disappointed to say, what I found above was not my issue. I then spent about 40 minutes driving back and forth on a 55mph road between two parking lots testing with painters tape in every area I could think of, one at a time, on a cold afternoon. Taped along the hood, then the windshield, door, window, b-pillar, shark fin, roof rack, door handle, side view mirror. Every time that stinking noise was there, and I didn't notice it changing much in pitch or loudness trying all those different things. Had my windshield replaced due to a crack and was crossing fingers, still there. I'm back to the drawing board.

 

[longhornjon]

B pillar trim can seem like its well on there but still make noise. Mine drove me nuts as I thought it was on solid until it got worse and I saw it vibrating. I 2nd the above use painters tape and tape off the gaps on the trim to see if it goes away. Once my trim was fixed im back to 0 wind noise. If you have a sun roof you could also tape over the seam around it to rule it out.

I had the same issue and it turned out to be the piano black B-Pillar trim on the upper door (adjacent to the window). Ended up happening on both driver's and passenger's side due to failed glue on the factory part. The newer parts I installed had better fixture points and additional automotive adhesive tape. One of the many parts that must have improved after the '16 model years. I think there was a dedicated thread somewhere on this site which helped me with my fix. You could angle your side mirror up and at the part to see if it catches at hwy speeds. When I slowed, mine would go back to their normal position, so tough to detect.

 

[nick14226]

I had the same issue and it turned out to be the piano black B-Pillar trim on the upper door (adjacent to the window). Ended up happening on both driver's and passenger's side due to failed glue on the factory part. The newer parts I installed had better fixture points and additional automotive adhesive tape. One of the many parts that must have improved after the '16 model years. I think there was a dedicated thread somewhere on this site which helped me with my fix. You could angle your side mirror up and at the part to see if it catches at hwy speeds. When I slowed, mine would go back to their normal position, so tough to detect.

Worth a shot, thank you @longhornjon . I did tape along the front edge of the b-pillar cover with no change, but I'll watch it with the mirror as well. I noticed when I push on the middle of it there was some movement, however, top and bottom are tightly retained and it doesn't seem to come out past the rubber seal in front of it as I messed with it. And then why only in the cold temps. Regardless, I do appreciate the input will be watching it, I'm up for anything to eliminate that noise!

 

[Prospect62]

Yes, thanks longhornjon. I will take a good look at it, heck maybe even buy replacements depending on the cost.

 

[AngelXL]

17 Yukon here, might be the same problem, although mine I only notice when it’s cold out (less than 30 deg F) and the truck has been outside for a while. It’s a whistling sound from, I think, front to upper part of drivers door. Thinking a seal is contracting a bit in the cold. After parked in the garage overnight, it’s fine on first drive. I had noticed the upper door frame was out away from the body quite a bit, wonder if at some point a wedge was used if keys were locked in it in the past. Put a wood block at the hinge with window rolled down and kept pushing on the upper frame until it was nicely aligned this summer. Thought I had it, door closes a lot tighter now, but sure enough this winter it’s back. Put sil-glyde on the weather stripping, have hit with compressed air to try to duplicate, folded the mirror in, checked b-pillar, cracked the window, no luck so far. Have to try the painters tape (if it’ll stick in the cold) and/or fog it. Minor, but this kind of thing drives me nuts till I fix it.

I have the same gap on the upper part of the door.
We had winds over 50mph ND door flew wide open. Since then I have that wind sound but I don't know how to adjust the door.