[NedleyC]

Hello All:
Has anyone had to stiffen the lower rear skirt? Mine seems to vibrate when the engine is coming up to speed,or when doing about 40-45 in 5th gear. I have been trying to isolate the buzzing noise, and it sure sounds like the lower skirt when you go back and give it a flick with my finger. Anyone else had a similar noise?

NedC

 

[jwight]

What year is your car?

 

[NedleyC]

Opps I should have included the year, Its a 2008 Passion

 

[jwight]

There are two supports for the rear skirt, one on each side. You might check that they are there and the skirt is attached to them.

You can see one in the fifth photo down in this thread: https://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f75/carlsson-exhaust-installed-43643/

 

[NedleyC]

Again, I thank you jwight. I will check this out and see if the previous owner removed or whatever. Many thanks for the picture thread. Like i said, if you reach down an flick the skirt, the sound it makes sounds like the noise I hear. I did have a new stock muffler installed and maybe when that was done, the installer removed something he shouldn't have.
Ned C

 

[jwight]

Could be just a matter of neglecting to put the tabs on the skirt into the slots on those supports, if they weren't familiar with the car.

 

[NedleyC]

I'm pretty sure problem solved..Thanks to jwight, the muffler folks forgot to snap the two corners back in place. Took Bob for a quick spin and I didn't hear any extra buzzing going on. Again this forum is the best !!!!
Ned C

 

[jwight]

Glad you got it sorted out.

 

[shop hermit]

Had the same problem with my 08. I added a wood stiffner rod inside the lower lip of the skirt and it seemed to help some, but I still sometimes hear a buzz . Definitely sounds like a panel of some sort at resonance with a certain engine vibration. I'm still looking 10 years later.

 

[NedleyC]

Thanks Shop Hermit.
I was thinking of doing just that with a piece of wood. How did you fasten things?? AND I did do some tapered wood shims on both sides of the exposed louvers to hopefully stop some of the noises. Used a sharp knife and shaped them to fit without seeing anything. I used the same shims that you use to shim cabinets etc when installing a new kitchen. Available at Menards.

Again Thanks for your input.
Ned