Cabin pressure reverberation 4dr models

[Fat Friar]

So I've been test driving several Broncos as I'm interested in getting one. The first one I drove was a used 4 door hardtop 2023 Badlands Sas Lux which I was allowed to drive over the weekend. One of the things I noticed was that it had a weird pressure reverberation while driving (similar to Helmholtz resonance). It was most pronounced with the windows closed and going over bumps in the road. This was very noticeable by myself and my girlfriend.

The dealer surmised that it might be due to the hard top not being correctly seated or something, so they let me drive a brand new 2024 4 door OB Sas Lux to see if I noticed similar reverb. It did. In fact, I thought it was actually more pronounced in the first one I drove.

I've been doing a bunch of research to see if there were any fixes. What I found was few and far between. There are a couple of mentions from some people about it, but no solutions. I also found a thread on sealing the C pillar on the hardtop with foam, but this sounded like it was more about lowering wind noise, although one message mentioned that "The reverberation noise is greatly decreased."

I also stumbled upon a thread about active noise canceling in the B&O sound system that could possibly be related, but not sure.

So, I decided to test drive a Bronco without the B&O system. The only one I could find at local dealers was a 2 door Wildtrak. This Bronco seemed to still have a very small amount of reverb, but it was no where near what the others had. What I couldn't tell was if the reduced (almost negligible reverb) was because it was a 2 door (smaller volume cabin) or because it didn't have the B&O system and thus no active noise canceling.

Anyways, has anyone else noticed this pressure reverb? And, if so, has anyone actually found a solution for it?

I find this is a deal breaker if I can't find a solution as it is that annoying. Thanks!

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[WheresMyBronco]

My 23 Sas Badlands also makes the sound you're describing, but I think it's just sounds of the bumps/pressure waves traveling throughout the vehicle because of the combination of the sas tires with the stiffer suspension. My wife's Tesla does this too because she has the performance package and the suspension is also a bit stiffer.

I'm assuming the Wildtrak you drove wasn't as bad because the softer HOSS 3.0 suspension on there was helping dampen the bumps.

You could either lower the tire pressure, get a bronco with a softer suspension package, or swap the suspension to something softer to help reduce that effect

 

[HighVelocity]

Welcome to a purpose-built off-roading vehicle with a half-ass excuse for a roof and no insulation in the floor, doors, side panels and tires made of rubber boulders.

 

[CalvinT]

I have a 2023 4 door Badlands with high package. I haven't noticed anything other than wind noise at freeway speeds. Only time I've heard anything like Helmholtz resonance in a car was at higher speeds with a window or sunroof open. Are you sure the noise you hear isn't mechanical? Also it seems you only notice the noise in Broncos with the lux (B&O) and SAS packages installed. Maybe tires?

Also are you listening to the radio (and at what volume and signal source) when you hear the noise, or is the radio turned off?

 

[Fat Friar]

Welcome to a purpose-built off-roading vehicle with a half-ass excuse for a roof and no insulation in the floor, doors, side panels and tires made of rubber boulders.

For sure. It may just be as simple as that.

Are you sure the noise you hear isn't mechanical? Also it seems you only notice the noise in Broncos with the lux (B&O) and SAS packages installed. Maybe tires?

I'm certain it isn't any mechanical aspect I'm hearing. I think the bumps give the cabin an opportunity to move/compress creating a pressure wave or something. I will try to test drive a non-SAS package and see how that is, may have to travel a little to find one. My dealer has almost exclusively Broncos with SAS and the Lux package.

Also are you listening to the radio (and at what volume and signal source) when you hear the noise, or is the radio turned off?

It was happening with the radio on or off. Based on the other thread, Active Noise Canceling is on regardless.

Initially, I thought for sure it was active noise canceling that was trying to compensate for the low frequency bump noises, but maybe I'm overthinking.

 

[cbrenthus]

Simple fix - remove the top and doors

 

[Area51BS]

I have a soft top so there is no noise! Could it be piped in engine sound through the speakers? Have dealer turn it off and see.

 

[Brian_B]

My soft top windows will puff out like they are going to pop out when I pass a big rig. But with the rally top - nothing, totally solid, like in my F150

can’t say I notice too many reverberations though, but I have the windows down and top down every excuse I can get

 

[Wathoff24]

So I've been test driving several Broncos as I'm interested in getting one. The first one I drove was a used 4 door hardtop 2023 Badlands Sas Lux which I was allowed to drive over the weekend. One of the things I noticed was that it had a weird pressure reverberation while driving (similar to Helmholtz resonance). It was most pronounced with the windows closed and going over bumps in the road. This was very noticeable by myself and my girlfriend.

The dealer surmised that it might be due to the hard top not being correctly seated or something, so they let me drive a brand new 2024 4 door OB Sas Lux to see if I noticed similar reverb. It did. In fact, I thought it was actually more pronounced in the first one I drove.

I've been doing a bunch of research to see if there were any fixes. What I found was few and far between. There are a couple of mentions from some people about it, but no solutions. I also found a thread on sealing the C pillar on the hardtop with foam, but this sounded like it was more about lowering wind noise, although one message mentioned that "The reverberation noise is greatly decreased."

I also stumbled upon a thread about active noise canceling in the B&O sound system that could possibly be related, but not sure.

So, I decided to test drive a Bronco without the B&O system. The only one I could find at local dealers was a 2 door Wildtrak. This Bronco seemed to still have a very small amount of reverb, but it was no where near what the others had. What I couldn't tell was if the reduced (almost negligible reverb) was because it was a 2 door (smaller volume cabin) or because it didn't have the B&O system and thus no active noise canceling.

Anyways, has anyone else noticed this pressure reverb? And, if so, has anyone actually found a solution for it?

I find this is a deal breaker if I can't find a solution as it is that annoying. Thanks!

on our ’24 Outer Banks 4-dr hardtop, haven’t noticed that problem. We do have the sound absorbing surface on the inside of the top panels (I don’t know it’s official name). According to the Ford salesman who has a Everglades package, he regrets not getting the sound proofing option. The only issue is the back seat top panel passenger side likes to unlatch itself a lot.

 

[Dunning Kruger]

I did post the thread about adding pipe insulator to reduce wind noise (linked below, sounds like what you are referring to). I've also added pipe insulator between the frame and the hardtop, which helps a little. I do think my mudflaps that I made, which are large, also reduced noise slightly.

I've not noticed, however, a resonance effect from going over bumps in the road.


The Bronco is a rather loud vehicle when driving at highway speeds. My other care is a Lexus LS460, which is one of the quietest cars out there. While the difference is stark, I did get used to it.

It's not a highway cruiser, so it's just something you either have to accept or look at other options.




https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...limination-to-reduce-hardtop-windnoise.83910/

 

[83XLT]

The only time my 4 door big bend non-sas doesnt have that sound is when I take the roof off. It's like being inside a bass drum. I've mostly gotten used to it.

 

[Fat Friar]

The only time my 4 door big bend non-sas doesnt have that sound is when I take the roof off. It's like being inside a bass drum. I've mostly gotten used to it.

Yeah, it may come down to me either just getting a 2 door, or just accepting it, I'm sure I would get used to it.

If I do get a 4 door, I will certainly try some things to alleviate the issue, but obviously no guarantees that anything I do will work.

Thanks all for the replies. I was hoping there was some magic bullet out there, but doesn't sound like it.

 

[Ceaseuno]

Yeah, it may come down to me either just getting a 2 door, or just accepting it, I'm sure I would get used to it.

If I do get a 4 door, I will certainly try some things to alleviate the issue, but obviously no guarantees that anything I do will work.

Thanks all for the replies. I was hoping there was some magic bullet out there, but doesn't sound like it.

I received my 2025 Big Bend Hard Top last Friday and I'm experiencing the 'bass drum' effect inside the cabin. It makes sense to me why the hard top would do this. Therefore, it seems like this issue can be alleviated by switching to a soft top or opening the hard top.

 

[23OBX2.7]

One of the reasons didn't get a hardtop. The tailgate vents are clearly not enough to alleviate the pressure and there's no other option since rear side windows don't even have the simplest opening used frequently in the 1970s.

 

[Eldowerks]

My 2024 Badlands lux experience regarding cabin pressure reverberations with factory sound-insulated hardtop, at highway speeds:

• No thrumming sound with all the windows up.
• No thrumming sound with the front windows rolled down to any position.
• Significant unpleasant thrumming sound with the rear window(s) rolled down more than about an inch.
• Somewhat annoying thrumming sound with the front roof panels removed, relieved by lowering the rear windows down 2 to 3 inches.

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