Ever since I've owned the 2003 tribute/escape i have always thought the internal noise in the cabin was loud , road noise/rumble ect , i was starting to think it was the tail-shaft center support bearing .

Until i took it for a drive yesterday 20klm to the shop via a highway , that was after i just left the a/c compressor back on and left off the condenser and the pipes as i had got the wrong 2 o-rings for the manifold pipes so threw it half back together , left off the bottom splash trays also , new cabin pollen filter fitted also AND noticed something missing ? took me awhile to figure out what it was , AND is was the fact the internal noise was reduced by half ! .

I doubt it has anything to do with the a/c condenser off , could be the cabin filter or the bottom splash trays ? , i'll find out when it all goes back together .

Question is >> Anyone noticed a quieter cabin with the bottom trays off (both) ?

cheers .