[Nick.Maloney]

Hi All,

I had SOA window visors installed by the dealer in January, since day one we experienced creaking/clicking sounds at highway speeds which was exacerbated by exposure to direct sunlight or sudden cold snaps. I dealt with this for a while assuming the plastic was just flexing under temperature changes. In the spring we found that 2 of the 4 visors were not adhering properly and would leak during rain storms (tested with a spray bottle to confirm). After some brainstorming, the dealer agreed to warranty the part out and replaced all 4 visors, and also replaced the drivers side rear molding sash (indicated it had low spots in the plastic that may be affecting the adhesive). Well I picked it up today with 4 new visors and there were visible gaps in 2 of the 4 visors (they leaked, we tested with water in the service bay), and all 4 visors make that miserable creaking/clicking sound at highway speeds.

We had SOA window visors installed by the same dealer on our '19 Crosstrek and they've been great. From what I can find the dealer is doing everything correctly and they're just a stumped as I am. All clips look to be in place and all tape looks to be lined up correctly with the window sash.

Does anyone half any insight on this?
We left the dealer today agreeing that we would both do some research and follow up, but the trips back and forth to the dealer are growing old and I really hate to be "that guy" in the service department, but they all know me by name so I'm sure I'm on track to be "that guy" soon.

Thanks!

 

[Robert.Mauro]

The clicking is caused by the clips moving. Usually that means the window seal isn't properly back in place.

The failure to adhere is usually caused by them being installed, removed and repositioned, or, by not following the entirety of the prep (including the heat gun part), or, by opening and closing the windows or pressing on the deflectors in the first 24 hours (I think the instructions should mention that).

I would be glad to go into more detail with you, them or both of you on how to get them to install a bit better.

 

[pro10is]

Try some double-sided adhesive foam insulation tape. This should stop the creaking/clicking sound and seal the gaps.

If this doesn't work, ask for a refund on the window visors. You really don't need them especially if they're causing you so much grief.

 

[Nick.Maloney]

The clicking is caused by the clips moving. Usually that means the window seal isn't properly back in place.

The failure to adhere is usually caused by them being installed, removed and repositioned, or, by not following the entirety of the prep (including the heat gun part), or, by opening and closing the windows or pressing on the deflectors in the first 24 hours (I think the instructions should mention that).

I would be glad to go into more detail with you, them or both of you on how to get them to install a bit better.

Thanks Robert!

I'm letting the dealer brainstorm for a little longer though I'll likely follow up with them early next week. I can't confirm that they're using the heat gun during the installation, though that will be my next question. I reviewed the instructions provided when I purchased the visors and it seems like a pretty straight-forward process.

I'm not sure if the clips are moving in my case, I actually think the visors are flexing a little while driving and the adhesive is continuing to seal/unseal in spots while driving (I can replicate the sound by pushing gently on the visors while parked).

Question for you:
Would some pictures of the current install help with knowing whether the clips were installed correctly? I can snap some pictures later this week and load them to this thread or send them to you as a PDF if that would be easier.

Thanks again for your help

 

[Robert.Mauro]

Would some pictures of the current install help with knowing whether the clips were installed correctly? I can snap some pictures later this week and load them to this thread or send them to you as a PDF if that would be easier.

Sure

 

[Nick.Maloney]

(Sorry for the week of waiting on this)

I have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow so they can figure out next steps. Thanks again to all on this forum for the conversation and troubleshooting.

Here is a link to a video where you can hear the clicking sound the visors make (I'm gently wiggling them in the video as an example). To me this sounds like the adhesive sticking and un-sticking, but I could certainly be wrong.

Here are some images (Sorry for sun spots in some of the photos, I was in a hurry and it was crazy sunny out that day )

Photo below shows the gap in the adhesive on the Driver side Rear door visor - this visor leaks at this location.

Photo below shows the Driver door visor with a large gap in the adhesive - obviously this one leaks.

Photo below shows a gap at the rear of the Driver Door visor - this isn't as critical to water intrusion, but I'm sure it's not helping my "clicking" sounds at all.

The next 2 photos are different shots of the clips used to attach the visors, now that I stuck my camera up there and really took a look, it looks like the weather seal was pulled into the track and could be further exacerbating my problems.

 

[Luis Padilla]

Looking at mines today,it seems at though the 3M tape used is just too thin.I installed my own and followed the instructions to the T.I also see what looks like gaps, which as mentioned previously ,could be causing the rattling due to the turbulence around the vehicle when in motion.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

Sounds like a poor installation. Mine have already survived about 3 dozen car washes (I had to do a crazy amount of car washes on my 8,400 mile road trip to be photo ready at my various stops), and I don't have such gaps. ?

Glad you were able to fix yours.

Can you post a link to the 3M tape you used so others who want to fix their own can do so?

And, everyone, remember, if you don't want to, you can get your dealership to fix them and install them better.

 

[dwnthehatch]

I had a similar problem. The dealer said it was normal. I fixed it myself with 3M Super Strength Molding Tape. I think it was 1/2 ".

 

[Luis Padilla]

I gonna reinstall mine ,just too hot out still.

 

[Nick.Maloney]

Can anyone confirm what the weather seal should look like around the clips? I'm assuming mine is incorrect in the photos, but want to confirm before I review with the dealer (currently the vehicle is in for service, they didn't have an ETA on a return as I'm not sure if they knew what their next steps were).

Thanks again for all the great discussion on this, glad to know that I'm (unfortunately) not the only one with these challenges.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

Yours are incorrect. I posted instructions on how to fix it someplace. I will try to post again this weekend.

 

[Nick.Maloney]

I think I saw your advice over on another thread here:

Window visor rattle driving me nuts!

My drivers side window visor rattles and clicks like crazy when going over 55 mph. All of the tape is secure. I can reproduce the click by rolling the window down, grab the visor and move it back and forth. I have an appointment scheduled with the dealer but it's almost a month away. Looking up...

www.ascentforums.com

Good news otherwise!

The dealer replaced my visors again (feels a little wasteful) and they look great, seem to be water-tight, and they're nearly silent. (one of the rear passenger visors make a little noise at highways speeds, I'm going to investigate with a little heat and additional pressure later this week). Clips also look to now be installed correctly.

I'm not sure what the primary issue was, I can only assume a step was being missed during the installation process. Third time appears to have been the charm ?

 

[desii]

Bumping this up since I also have this issue and discovered today that it's because of the visors. Anyone have tips on how to remove them without breaking? I had to buy a second set because messed up on the install and broke one.

It's probably the 3m tape used that is too thin which is what I'll replace. Kind of crappy because of the price of the visors plus I had already done a chrome delete.