Road Noise...That Pinging Sound

[ThickCobra]

I have now driven my car around my neighborhood as well as another near by. Waiting anxiously for my title and Plates so I can hit the Highway. I understood the pinging from road stones, gravel, etc., while in cart stage with all the exposed aluminum. But, now that I've undercoated the entire body, rear splash guards and entire rear wheel wells, the pinging hasn't abated. I will tackle the front splash guards next but, will I need to undercoat the entire underneath, including the beautiful powdercoated panels?

Advise would be appreciated.

[Gumball]

Yep - doesn't really get damped by having the body and bulb seal on... you'll hear it in the wheel wells, against the side pipes, and against the splash guards and foot boxes.

Although it doesn't go away, you eventually don't hear much of it or worry about it hitting the car - especially when driving in gel-coat ;-)

By the way - was out yesterday and today making some noise with 7074 myself!!!

[JRL16]

Have you thought about Alex's wheel well liners? Got them for mine but modified them a little by adding some rubber bought in sheets on Amazon attached to the inward side with plastic Christmas trees to protect against anything getting thrown in that area. Also pitched the L bracket that came with it and bought a larger one. You still might get a little pinging but this will be from under the car. Should be able to coat that area with no problems.

[DadofThree]

I've heard of some putting black outdoor carpet up in the wheel wheels to soften the sound. I haven't done it myself as I'm not to that stage yet, so I can't vouch for it.

[MPTech]

I undercoated my body and wheelwell panels with truckbed liner and I typically don't hear the rock pinging, except for a couple incidents on freshly re-paved roads (un-intentionally). Also heard the pinging on my side-pipes, but it usually takes a lot of rocks at a very slow speed. Otherwise the wind buffeting and exhaust pretty much drowns it out.

[CraigS]

I've heard of some putting black outdoor carpet up in the wheel wheels to soften the sound. I haven't done it myself as I'm not to that stage yet, so I can't vouch for it.
Something like this would be your best bet. Most of the sound is from the elephant ears behind the tires. My guess is the lowest 12-15 inches. Years ago lexus changed their wheel well liner material from a thin molded plastic to what I can best describe as a semi stiff felt. it was just stiff enough to hold it's molded shape. Craft stores often have a sticky back felt in 12 inch squares. I am not sure about the adhesive strength though.

[edwardb]

I don't think you need to do anything to the entire underneath. I doubt that's what you're hearing. At least not the majority. Agree with others it's mainly stuff hitting the splash guards. Couple weeks ago I took them out of #8674 and put two more heavy coats of truck bed liner on them. They had a sprayed coat. But I add two brushed on coats. That helped. Several coats on the underside of the body in the wheel well area is important too. Even then you're going to hear things under there sometimes. Part of the charm. ;) I find lower speed roads, like in my neighborhood as well, are worse than regularly traveled roads and highways.

[ThickCobra]

I can understand that driving through neighborhoods at low speeds on less than gravel-free roads could be a large contributor. Now that you mention it, I experience the issue of Pinging with my regular cars.

I haven't undercoated the front splash guards and wheel as of yet. But, I do have plenty of DupliColor undercoating left so I could tackle that next. I do, however, find the use of thin rubber material purchased by JRL16 interesting. I think I'll research that.

Chris, you've been out driving the weekend? You really need to visit your brother more. Hint, hint. As an aside, I'm thinking of getting a coffee get to gether at my place some Saturday morning. There is now a good number of guys less than 40 minutes from my place (you're the exception), with cars in various stages. And, I think they'd want to see your car. PM me if your interested/available.

[wirelessnut]

I was planning on coating the entire underside of the body and the inner fender panels with a product called AL's Liner. It can be rolled or sprayed. I've used it on several truck beds and trailers and it's worked well to protect them.
Does anyone see a problem with that?

I get the rock ding sound even in my Mustang GT when driving in the neighborhood. It has Pirelli Pzero tires on it. The softer tire compound tends to pick up small gravel.

[MisterAdam]

could also be pinging off the sidepipes. I get underneath a couple of times a season to clean and am amazed at how much "stuff" gets thrown at the underside of the sidepipes.

[ThickCobra]

Wow. Between the exposed aluminum and sticky BFGoodrich tires, this car is one big stone magnet. :)

[smithbks]

Agree with the others - coat the splash guards. I originally coated the underside (fiberglass) with bedliner - 2 coats brushed. I also have Dynamat through the whole interior, including trunk, and carpet in trunk as well. I still heard the pings. Then I brushed the splash guards with bedliner and bingo! 90% of the noise is gone, and what I occasionally here is a dull thump, not a ping.

[Yama-Bro]

OK, newb question...What are the splash guards? The elephant ears?

[edwardb]

OK, newb question...What are the splash guards? The elephant ears?

Yes. There you go, using technical terms. :D

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