Identification of the interior noise generated by sport utility vehicle axles and structural modification of the axle system for noise reduction

This paper presents experimental and analytical methods for reducing the interior noise generated by the axle system of a sport utility vehicle. The test vehicle has a whine noise problem at the passenger seats. To identify the transfer path of the interior noise caused by the axle system, a vibration path analysis, modal analysis, and operational deflection shape analysis are systematically employed. It has been found that the interior noise generated by the axle system was airborne noise. To predict and reduce the whine noise generated by the axle system, structural modifications for the axle system are performed by using the finite element method and the boundary element method techniques. Throughout this modification the whine noise was reduced by 3-4 dBA.