The infamous dash buzzing (windshield cowl) problem
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,459
Likes: 18
From: Oviedo,FL. Las Vegas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,459
Likes: 18
From: Oviedo,FL. Las Vegas
Anyone know where I can get 5 clips without going to the dealer.
So, I go out in the garage and open my wifes 2007 corvette and pull back the weather stripping and its totally different than my 08. Her car doesn't even have clips
So, I go out in the garage and open my wifes 2007 corvette and pull back the weather stripping and its totally different than my 08. Her car doesn't even have clips
Last edited by speedraider; May 11, 2013 at 03:26 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,459
Likes: 18
From: Oviedo,FL. Las Vegas
Last night I ran out to Home Depot and got some window silicone and laid a bead at the bottom of the windshield (where to cowl lays on the windshield) and another bead under the front of the cowl ( where the clisp are). That should cure the problem.
Last edited by speedraider; May 12, 2013 at 07:43 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,110
Likes: 25
From: Alexandria Louisiana
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 462
Likes: 3
From: Plainview New York
My dealer called Friday afternoon that my cowl was delivered. This is the second one I'm having done. The first replacement lasted about 3 months.
From what I remember once you remover wiper arms and washer hoses and a few screws on passenger side the cowl is easily removed. I'll be watching this install as well, I hope the cowl has been improved over the previous ones. I'm having it done tomorrow or Tuesday.
From what I remember once you remover wiper arms and washer hoses and a few screws on passenger side the cowl is easily removed. I'll be watching this install as well, I hope the cowl has been improved over the previous ones. I'm having it done tomorrow or Tuesday.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,459
Likes: 18
From: Oviedo,FL. Las Vegas
My dealer called Friday afternoon that my cowl was delivered. This is the second one I'm having done. The first replacement lasted about 3 months.
From what I remember once you remover wiper arms and washer hoses and a few screws on passenger side the cowl is easily removed. I'll be watching this install as well, I hope the cowl has been improved over the previous ones. I'm having it done tomorrow or Tuesday.
From what I remember once you remover wiper arms and washer hoses and a few screws on passenger side the cowl is easily removed. I'll be watching this install as well, I hope the cowl has been improved over the previous ones. I'm having it done tomorrow or Tuesday.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Arlington TX
cowl buzz fix
I used 3M weatherstrip adhesive for my fix. I didn't lift-up the entire passenger side of the plastic cowl to lay a good bead, so it lasted only a year before the buzzing returned.
Today, I pulled off the hood weatherstripping from the front of the cowl, removed the 1 torx drive screw, and released the 2 "pins" on the cowl end (near the door), removed the 2 small metal u-clips at its leading edge, and lifted the cowl panel up enough to lay a very good double bead on the leading edge of the windshield glass (after scraping the old sealer from the glass). Note: my center u-clip was not installed at the factory).
I noticed that there are 2 small areas at the rear of the cowl that had split, so I laid a bead of sealant in those areas, too. However, I might order a new cowl panel from a dealer. I was able to remove the nut from the wiper arm, but didn't have the correct puller tool to remove the arm from the post. How did you guys remove the wiper arms?
Today, I pulled off the hood weatherstripping from the front of the cowl, removed the 1 torx drive screw, and released the 2 "pins" on the cowl end (near the door), removed the 2 small metal u-clips at its leading edge, and lifted the cowl panel up enough to lay a very good double bead on the leading edge of the windshield glass (after scraping the old sealer from the glass). Note: my center u-clip was not installed at the factory).
I noticed that there are 2 small areas at the rear of the cowl that had split, so I laid a bead of sealant in those areas, too. However, I might order a new cowl panel from a dealer. I was able to remove the nut from the wiper arm, but didn't have the correct puller tool to remove the arm from the post. How did you guys remove the wiper arms?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 50
From: Westmont Il.
Same here. Subsequently I had my car at the dealer to replace the windshield and they put the new improved, stiffer cowl in at the same time. Service manager said there was a service bulletin, free replacement on it.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 545
Likes: 85
I liked the poster on a prior thread on this subject who said it sounds like a Cessna 172, because that's exactly what it sounded like to me.
I elected to go the adhesive route rather than leave my car at dealer to have the cowl thing replaced (fear of unintended consequences). Two suggestions if you go that route:
1. First diagnose and confirm that that is the problem by putting some tape over the passenger side cowl flap-to-windshield intrerface.
2. A little dab'll do ya - Pick your adhesive but I suggest avoiding any thick stuff that might create a gap between the rubber (or polymer or whatever) and the glass. I suggest very small dabs in a few spots rather than a bead. Try to get it way in and not right at the edge. If you use too much or get most of it right at the edge, you get a mess on the windshield when press down on the cowl and try to wipe away the excess. This can be a pain to clean up.
I elected to go the adhesive route rather than leave my car at dealer to have the cowl thing replaced (fear of unintended consequences). Two suggestions if you go that route:
1. First diagnose and confirm that that is the problem by putting some tape over the passenger side cowl flap-to-windshield intrerface.
2. A little dab'll do ya - Pick your adhesive but I suggest avoiding any thick stuff that might create a gap between the rubber (or polymer or whatever) and the glass. I suggest very small dabs in a few spots rather than a bead. Try to get it way in and not right at the edge. If you use too much or get most of it right at the edge, you get a mess on the windshield when press down on the cowl and try to wipe away the excess. This can be a pain to clean up.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
I hope your were given the straight scope but I think it was usual dealer double talk.
Correct me if I am wrong.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 50
From: Westmont Il.
The new cowl does seem to be configured slightly different, though. The lip against the windshield feels stiffer especially at the flex joint. It is positioned at an angle against the glass instead of laying flat as the old one. That would reduce it's tendency to vibrate I would think.
Hard to tell from a photo or I would put some up. The finish on the new one is smoother also. Whether these perceived differences
are from better quality control or an actual change in the manufacture, I don't know. So far no buzzing with the new one. The old one buzzed 'till I put some adhesive on it.