We've been noticing that after a couple weeks with this car, we've been having some strange ear issues, like popping. At first, I thought it might just be a sinus thing, but then I really started noticing what feels like excessive cabin pressure, almost a booming. Does anybody else have this?
Cabin air pressure
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swathdiver
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The earlier models in the previous generation had this issue. Turns out it was a lack of adhesive in the roof bows that was the culprit.
Wow, that's interesting! Apparently the problem existed all the way up to 2020 models in some cases.
Does anybody else have this on the 2021?
Quark
Full Access Member
Would like to know the physics behind this. How do a few pin hole leaks in a massive positive pressure atmosphere cause variations great enough to be felt in the inner ear.
iamdub
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It's not pinhole leaks. It's the roof skin not being glued down to the reinforcement ribs in the ceiling. The wind going over the roof at speed creates low pressure, sucking the roof upward. The metal naturally tries to retain its shape so its trying to pull downward. The cycle continues and is at its worst at a particular speed. It's not much movement. But, when you have so many square feet of surface moving, you don't need much excursion. The roof is essentially a giant low-frequency transducer (a "subwoofer").
Rdr854
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Is the booming issue more pronounced with vehicles with or without sunroofs? Reason I ask is that I did not experience this with my Suburbans (none of which had sunroofs).
MelloYello95
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We are not experiencing this in ours. We do not have a sunroof.
Quark
Full Access Member
Wouldn't a sunroof reduce the amount of the roof area that could react to pressure?
Do all or some of these models have active noise reduction?
Wasn't there more than one cause attributed to this problem, what about unbalanced drive shafts?
I totally buy the transducer analogy but find it hard to believe GM would repeat the same mistake. Am I being naive, perhaps.
Do all or some of these models have active noise reduction?
Wasn't there more than one cause attributed to this problem, what about unbalanced drive shafts?
I totally buy the transducer analogy but find it hard to believe GM would repeat the same mistake. Am I being naive, perhaps.
G-Frog
Member
The only time I have anything similar to this is when one of the windows is open a bit. For my Yukon and my previous 2018 Traverse, there always has to be at least 2 windows open at the same time to prevent negative pressure in the cabin.
Most vehicles have a Cabin Pressure Relief Valve to prevent over-pressure situations inside the cabin. But these are usually one way out. They don't let air into the cabin. Incoming air usually comes from the HVAC system.
If the Cabin Pressure Relief Valve is blocked/broken somehow, the cabin could overpressure, particularly with higher fan settings. This could potentially cause ear pressure issues.
You would also notice that it's a little more difficult to close a single door due to overpressure in the cabin. These are most often located on one of the rear quarters near the liftgate. But I'm not sure on the 2021s.
Most vehicles have a Cabin Pressure Relief Valve to prevent over-pressure situations inside the cabin. But these are usually one way out. They don't let air into the cabin. Incoming air usually comes from the HVAC system.
If the Cabin Pressure Relief Valve is blocked/broken somehow, the cabin could overpressure, particularly with higher fan settings. This could potentially cause ear pressure issues.
You would also notice that it's a little more difficult to close a single door due to overpressure in the cabin. These are most often located on one of the rear quarters near the liftgate. But I'm not sure on the 2021s.
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That’s what they finally figured out?
Thanks for the feedback everybody. I did an SPL test in the car today and it was similar to another SUV I own, maybe slightly quieter. It's as I suspected though, likely not sound related. I've ordered a barometer with a capability of doing an instantaneous reading. Will be interesting to see if the Tahoe has noticibly higher pressure than my other vehicle.
G-Frog
Member
Keep us informed of your progress. Good luck!
No real updates yet, but I noticed that the headliner seems loose. My theory is that when I drive, the headliner is sort of bouncing and flexing over bumps, creating air pressure peaks. Does anybody else, specifically with an LS trim level notice this?
Quark
Full Access Member
If the result is less booming inside the vehicle you might have found the cause though correcting it permanently might be problematic without reengineering the ceiling attachment design.
I will bet something is exciting a bass node with a standing wave inside the cabin. I believe some of these vehicles have active noise reduction which might control certain frequencies by cancelling them or reducing them. You might look up room corrections for listening rooms to understand the problem.
I will bet something is exciting a bass node with a standing wave inside the cabin. I believe some of these vehicles have active noise reduction which might control certain frequencies by cancelling them or reducing them. You might look up room corrections for listening rooms to understand the problem.
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Just wanted to post an update on this. I thought the issue may be the headliner, but took a nice long test drive in an LT with the pano roof (and thus more sunroof than headliner) and had the same issue. This is starting to point to the roof structure itself flexing too much while driving, thus creating the booming inside the cabin. The one I test drove was a '22.
WalleyeMikeIII
Full Access Member
I've had 9000 miles in my Yukon XL with no notice of ear pressure.
Question: Can you "adjust" the wierdness w/ using the HVAC controls, like fan on high and not in recirc, or in recirc, etc...
DuraYuk
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Why are y'all grasping at straws here and not taking this into the dealer under warranty ?
Every headliner will have that flex. It will not be rigid.
Really strange things you guys are describing. Hope you resolve it.
Every headliner will have that flex. It will not be rigid.
Really strange things you guys are describing. Hope you resolve it.
I sold it after a month. Could not deal with the pressure and didn't want to mess with the dealer which surely would have said "could not duplicate". I know it was an issue with the roof in the previous gen, just wanted to let the forum know my experience with my '21. I otherwise loved it, which is why I gave the '22 LT a try.
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