Creaking sound from driver side pillar

[zrickety]

Add me to the list...I just noticed this creak in the front driver side of my 20 JLR at 5,000 miles. I'm not going to bother visiting the dealer as it seems they are not much help. Another common issue disappointment.

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[MajorBulldog]

First, this has been a great thread (all 7 pages) and I'm thankful for all the due diligence you folks have done. Very impressive!

However, there is one angle that I believe hasn't been covered here: the One-Touch Sky Top. I have a 2020 JLUR w/the sky top and have the same creaking sound coming from the passenger side B pillar whenever I accelerate, break, or more generally, whenever the body is torqued. This has happened from day 1 with only 3 miles on the Jeep. From what I've read here, it sounds like exactly the same issue and it does seem to get worse as temps cool.

So forgive me for asking having never owned a hard top before (only soft tops in the past going back more than 2 decades), but exactly which bolt (or bolt hole) are we talking about here? Pics would be great. From the pics posted in this thread, the JL users manual (hard top section), hard top removal YouTube videos, etc, it appears that the hard top bolts in question are installed/removed from the TOP SIDE. Well, the sky top owners can't remove the top, and I believe the sky top sides cover the area in question. I welcome any advice.

I have already fixed an even more annoying sky top open rattle based on another thread in this forum, so I'm confident that someone here has the solution.

Any other Sky Top owners having this issue? For the hard top owners, any thoughts as to how the Sky Top owners can address this issue?

 

[MountiesNGamecocks]

I got a variety pack of body shims from the auto parts store, and wedged a couple of them into the gaps between the metal plates. Then I installed a bolt in the hardtop hole and it resolved my issue.

 

[MajorBulldog]

I can see that the bolts are not there. I have the Sky Top and I'm concerned about unbolting it and lifting one side enough to get the hard top bolt installed.

I'm still surprised that the creak isn't on both sides. Neither side as the hard top bolt (which isn't shocking since this top bolts on with completely different bolts and holes).

I need to make an appointment with the dealer to address the steering box TSB, so maybe I'll add the creak problem as well. If they lift the Sky top to install the bolt, it's on them if they break it!

 

[MajorBulldog]

I can see that the bolts are not there. I have the Sky Top and I'm concerned about unbolting it and lifting one side enough to get the hard top bolt installed.

I'm still surprised that the creak isn't on both sides. Neither side as the hard top bolt (which isn't shocking since this top bolts on with completely different bolts and holes).

I need to make an appointment with the dealer to address the steering box TSB, so maybe I'll add the creak problem as well. If they lift the Sky top to install the bolt, it's on them if they break it!

Well, I can tell you that the bolt trick did not work for me. I ordered the recommended bolts and unbolted the affected side of the sky top just enough to get the hard top bolt installed. The annoying creak persists. If driving at steady speed, there's not creak, not even when I hit a bump. It only happens when I hit the gas or the brake. I swear is sounds like something is hanging inside the B pillar that acts like a pendulum.

 

[demonologie]

2020 JLU same issue. Bolts did not help but I have seen a small decrease by retorquing the body bolts. essentially it doesn’t fix the creak but it reduces the flex in the frame.

 

[Flamethrower]

Solved for me. 2019 JLU same issue. I had pillar plastics off several times trying everything posted here with no luck until today. I cleaned and and re-greased the door strikers and the noise is gone...to simple! Makes sense though, noise started after about a year...grease dried up. Noise started with driver side...used more often. Couldn't find issue in upper pillar...because noise was being telegraphed from the striker.

 

[LowBama]

Has anyone discovered any more fixes other than the hard top bolt? I have this problem.

1. I have removed all plastic trim
2. Torqued hardtop bolts
3. Torqued windshield bolts
4. Torqued body mounts
5. Sprayed lithium grease around drains tube
6. Removed driver side door

My passenger side pillar still creaks when I brake or accelerate.

I cannot recreate the sound sitting still no matter how much I rock the vehicle or bang or shake different parts

If anyone has additional advice I would be very appreciative.

 

[JLTruman]

Has anyone discovered any more fixes other than the hard top bolt? I have this problem.

1. I have removed all plastic trim
2. Torqued hardtop bolts
3. Torqued windshield bolts
4. Torqued body mounts
5. Sprayed lithium grease around drains tube
6. Removed driver side door

My passenger side pillar still creaks when I brake or accelerate.

I cannot recreate the sound sitting still no matter how much I rock the vehicle or bang or shake different parts

If anyone has additional advice I would be very appreciative.

Have you tried cleaning the weather strip around the doors, I had a rear creak for about a week and someone mentioned cleaning all the weather strips and that fixed it.

 

[LowBama]

I did. I wiped it down with silicon spray also.

 

[JL18]

I too have this same issue.

I had this issue. It was just the bolts up by the Sun visors that tighten the windshield frame. Mine were all loose. I tightened them and am now squeak/rattle free. ?

 

[Fyr196]

Solved for me. 2019 JLU same issue. I had pillar plastics off several times trying everything posted here with no luck until today. I cleaned and and re-greased the door strikers and the noise is gone...to simple! Makes sense though, noise started after about a year...grease dried up. Noise started with driver side...used more often. Couldn't find issue in upper pillar...because noise was being telegraphed from the striker.

So I understand correctly... I remove the striker, clean it and what do I grease? The back? I don't think I want to grease the front where I may come in contact... I have this creak and it drives me crazy. Thanks for the help

 

[CreativeName]

So I understand correctly... I remove the striker, clean it and what do I grease? The back? I don't think I want to grease the front where I may come in contact... I have this creak and it drives me crazy. Thanks for the help

Are you running a soft top?

 

[Flamethrower]

Are you running a soft top?

Don't remove anything. Just grease/lube the striker where the door latch contacts it.

 

[Bmb0812]

I am running a soft top on a 2023 JLU. Started getting the creaking and tore apart the trim paneling and soft top tracks and couldn’t find anything. Still made the noise with the doors off. Went and bought two of the hard top bolts and cranked them down in the B pillar spot and no more creaks. Hope that helps!

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