Shad Laws

Hello-

A few days ago, I decided to try putting some real insulation in the doors and sunroof. I got some of the stuff called "the insulator" (a chunk of fiberglass-like insulating material with aluminum foil on both sides) and some spray adhesive. After a few hours, the doors and sunroof were done. It was pretty easy.

Even though I didn't bother with any of the hard-to-take-apart interior items (like the headliner, the rocker panels, the firewall, etc.), there is a very notable difference in noise on the highway. After just the doors, the road noise went down a bit, but there was still wind on the roof. After the sunroof, the wind noise went down, too.

Also, just like the doors, the sunroof needs some seam sealer between the supports and the body panel. And, just like the doors after a decade, the seam sealer needs to be replaced :-).

Just thought I'd pass along the info... it takes a few hours and it adds maybe 2 lb. to the car, but the highway cruise is quite a bit nicer.

Take care,
Shad

jsplit

How thick is that stuff? Is it similar to dynamat? Meaning is it specifically for sound dampening, insulation or both?

Shad Laws

It's about 3/8" thick. It's intended for sound dampening and insulation.

It's not the same as dynamat, though. Dynamat is much thinner and resembles a thin sheet of rubber or asphalt or something. It's also self-adhesive, and quite a bit more expensive :-). If you don't need to fit in tight quarters and don't mind a little spray adhesive, the other stuff is much cheaper and works quite well.

Take care,
Shad

jeremyb

Got pics of where you placed the mat in the sunroof area? Did it seal that damn wind noise coming in from it evern when its closed lol (I think thats where its coming from =X) But pics would be really helpful since I would REALLY love to do this also.

Jeremy

Shad Laws

Hello-

I don't have any pics unfortunately. It's pretty obvious to see where it'd go if you take off the trim panel on the interior (good description of how to do this in the FSM, including locations of all the clips you have to pull). Basically, fit insulation in all the voids you can :-). And, like the door panels, adding some seam sealer between the inner support and outer skin to help the 10+ year old stuff helps, too.

It won't fix a wind leak in a seal, but it will make the sunroof resonate less with wind noise. The difference is really apparent with rain... you no longer hear rain above you, but rather only in front and in back (due to the windows - can't insulate them :-).

Take care,
Shad

jeremyb

FSM? Is that another site with a write up? I'd really like to try this, since it makes your seven sound less of a aluminum can lol.

Jeremy

MrRx

iTrader: (1)

fsm aka Factory Service manule

jeremyb

OHHHHH haha (hits head) Buuuut I need a more detailed info on where the mat goes? Does it just go around the sunroof? buhhhhh

Jeremy

Shad Laws

Dude, take off the trim panel and look up. It doesn't get too much more self-explanatory :-).

You are putting in ON the sunroof itself. It doesn't go around it... it doesn't gum up seals or get in the way of the mechanism. If you remove the trim panel (the sunroof's equivalent of the door panel), it becomes VERY obvious.

Take care,
Shad