Noise isolation "Ford Focus 2": types, characteristics of noise reduction and the principle of operation

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

One of the main factors that distract the driver's attention from the road is noise. These are sounds coming from the street, the hum from the engine, body vibrations and the rustle of wheels along the road. Expensive premium models are equipped with good regular sound insulation. Budget cars, which prioritize availability, are equipped with a minimum. This problem is also present in economy models of the Ford brand. Factory soundproofing "Ford Focus 2" depends on the engine power. Vehicles with a volume of 1.8 and 2.0 are equipped with better protection.

Types of soundproofing

To ensure the maximum level of protection, the work is carried out with several materials with different properties. Main types:

• vibration absorbers;
• noise isolators.

The first reduce the level of vibration transmitted from a running engine and suspension to body parts. Noise insulators act as a sound barrier and prevent the penetration of sounds into the interior of the car. ExceptIn addition, noise-absorbing materials are used for additional protection of weak points.

So, for example, the soundproofing "Ford Focus 2" hatchback includes additional protection for the trunk lid.

Anti-creak materials are used to eliminate rattling and creaking of plastic interior parts. They glue the joints of the elements of the doors and the dashboard.

Processing elements

The main claim of Ford Focus 2 car owners to sound insulation is a high level of noise when driving on uneven road surfaces. Therefore, in the economy version, the work is reduced to ensuring the protection of the wheel arches. However, the maximum effect can be achieved only by processing all the elements of the body:

• roof;
• gender;
• door;
• hood and partition between the passenger compartment and the engine compartment;
• trunk;
• wheel arches on the inside and outside.

Noise insulation materials

The market offers an impressive selection of materials for soundproofing "Ford Focus 2" of different manufacturers and price ranges.

Vibration isolation material. It is made on a bituminous base with a foil coating. It is laid on the body parts in the first layer. Due to the impressive weight of the material, the elements become heavier and thereby dampen the vibration. Vibration isolation goes on sale in the form of sheets of various sizes. Material trade names:

• vibroplast;
• bimast;
• isoplast.

For each body partdifferent thicknesses are selected. Thicker sheets are laid on the floor. On the door, hood, trunk lid to avoid sagging - thinner. In this case, the material does not have to be laid on the entire surface of the part, it is enough to cover 80%. Vibration isolation may not be applied to the racks and stiffeners.

Soundproofing material. It is made of foamed polyethylene or rubber with an upper metallized layer. The material is produced in rolls.

The second layer is laid on top of vibration isolation on all body parts, carefully closing all cavities. Produced under trade names:

• bitoplast;
• bimast.

Combined material. It consists of two layers and combines vibration and noise insulation at once. The use of such material speeds up the installation process by 2 times, since there is no need to lay first one and then the second layer. The disadvantage of this use is that all parts are processed with a layer of the same thickness. And since the material has a significant mass, the car becomes very heavy: the weight of a complete set of combined sound insulation is about 70 kg.

Noise-absorbing material. It is made of polyurethane foam and absorbs sound waves due to its porous structure. In the kit, the sound insulation of the Ford Focus 2 car is installed on the hood cover, door trim, and plastic elements of the dashboard. At the same time, it also functions as an anti-creak material.

Steps of work

Before starting work, completelythe interior of the car is being dismantled.

The chairs are taken out, the dashboard is dismantled, the door, floor and ceiling trim is dismantled. The standard soundproofing is removed. All surfaces are thoroughly degreased and dried. Next, the sheets are cut taking into account the area of the workpiece.

As already mentioned, the vibration isolation layer is applied first. Before gluing, the sheets are heated with a building hair dryer or in special stoves. Remove the protective film (paper) from the adhesive layer and stick it on the body element, avoiding the appearance of bubbles. Then the sheet is carefully rolled with a special roller.

In the same way, the second layer is put insulation. The glued surfaces are degreased. When sticking the material in pieces, adjacent parts are glued butt-to-butt. In addition to soundproofing, the material also performs a heat-shielding function. This is especially true for the hood cover. In the cold season, the engine will warm up faster thanks to the insulated engine compartment.

To ensure maximum comfort for the driver and passengers of the Ford Focus 2, the sound insulation of the weakest places is supplemented with sound-absorbing material. It is applied in the third layer.

Do-it-yourself soundproofing

Noise insulation can be quickly and efficiently performed by specialists of auto repair centers specializing in retrofitting cars. Usually the installation procedure takes 1-2 days. The cost of a full complex of works is 30-40 thousandrubles, depending on the materials used. Much more budgetary, you can do the soundproofing "Ford Focus 2" with your own hands.

First, you need to determine what the purpose of the work is. It also depends on the amount of purchased material. If this is just the elimination of noise from the outside, it is enough to process the bottom and wheel arches, as well as the doors and the partition between the passenger compartment and the engine compartment. For lovers of high-quality car audio, a full range of work is needed, including additional processing of the trunk, doors and roof.

With a limited budget, professional materials can be replaced with construction counterparts:

• isolon;
• polyform;
• aluform.

In this case, building glue is purchased for mounting sheets. For independent work you will need:

• tool kit for dismantling interior elements and upholstery;
• hair dryer;
• press roller;
• degreaser solvent (regular white spirit will do);
• sharp knife for cutting sheets;
• tight gloves.

Work is carried out in a dry, well-ventilated area.

Hood

Noise insulation of the hood not only protects the driver from extraneous noise, but also performs the function of thermal insulation of the engine compartment in winter due to the foil coating of the sheets. Work on soundproofing the hood "Ford Focus" 2 is being implemented in two stages.

Vibrodamping material is glued with the first layer, whilenot all space is processed, but only the openings between the stiffeners. Then the soundproofing material is glued. The quality of gluing should be given special attention. Under the hood, the protection will work in high temperatures and may peel off. If desired, additional noise-absorbing protection can be installed on top of these two layers.

Wheel arches, floor, trunk

This is the most voluminous stage of work, since you need to completely dismantle all the interior elements, and then install them in place. Photo fixation is recommended to avoid assembly difficulties.

Protection is also applied in two layers, while for the treatment of wheel arches and the space under the dashboard, sheets of vibration damping material of increased thickness are chosen. Arches can be pasted over with two layers of vibration protection and additionally processed from the outside.

Roof

In the standard version of the roof protection, the sound insulation "Ford Focus 2" (restyling model) is implemented in the form of sheets of vibration damping material.

For high-quality protection, the entire surface is glued. Felt can be added as a second layer. This is an excellent noise-absorbing material, moreover, it is very soft. It makes assembly much easier as it easily conforms to the shape of the skin.

Doors

Ford Focus 2 door soundproofing is the most painstaking stage of work, as window lift mechanisms, locks and an acoustic system are located here.

To avoid weight and sagging doors, materialfor vibration isolation, a thinner thickness is chosen than for other parts. The order of work is the same. Then, for the best effect, all door openings are sealed, and the lining is additionally glued around the perimeter with an anti-creak tape. Since there are audio speakers in the door, it is recommended to choose a soundproofing material with enhanced insulating properties.

Quality work done on soundproofing "Ford Focus 2" will increase the level of safety and driving comfort.