Dee Zee rack noise/vibration

[riderdan]

Just installed the Dee Zee aluminum rack on the roof of my JLU and boy is it loud. The vibration coming from the freedom panels makes it impossible to have a conversation at anything over 40mph. You can touch the inside of the panels and feel the vibration like anything

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[Fudster]

Just installed the Dee Zee aluminum rack on the roof of my JLU and boy is it loud. The vibration coming from the freedom panels makes it impossible to have a conversation at anything over 40mph. You can touch the inside of the panels and feel the vibration like anything

can't hear what you are referring to on the attached video.

Perhaps this video will help you confirm your install(?)

 

[riderdan]

Thanks. I actually watched that video before I bought it. Pretty sure I installed it correctly, but I’ll have to check again.

 

[Newbie718]

I just bought the same one for my 4xe after watching that YouTube video. Planning on installing it this week, did you add the mini air dam?

 

[C.Sco]

Mine makes a ton of rattling sounds, and I know exactly what the cause is but just haven't had time to fix it yet. The cause of the rattling for me is the little rubber-booted "feet" that are supposed to rest on the roof. Some of mine don't touch the roof because the bolts weren't long enough, so until I get around to extending those, the feet rattle around and make a ton of noise.

I couldn't hear any rattle in your video though, so I am not sure it it's the same sound or not.

 

[riderdan]

Mine didn’t come with the air dam, so that’s probably part of it. There is some rattling but I think it’s from a washer that’s under one of the attachment points that’s not quite tight

 

[C.Sco]

Mine didn’t come with the air dam, so that’s probably part of it. There is some rattling but I think it’s from a washer that’s under one of the attachment points that’s not quite tight

I heard in another thread that if you contact DeeZee and let them know yours doesn't have the airdam and is making wind noise, they'll send you one (not sure if free, or for small fee).

Or honestly you could make one yourself out of a small piece of aluminum angle stock from home depot for a couple bucks, and spray it black. That's basically all the DeeZee airdam is.

 

[Newbie718]

I also read that thread about contacting DeeZee for the air dam. I think that was the same thread that mentioned the air dam makes a huge difference. Hope so, installing mine soon. If you’re having issues with bolts becoming loose from just everyday driving or going off road, I read installing some blue thread locker helps keep ‘em tight

 

[riderdan]

Turns out Dee Zee will send you the air dam for under $20. Hoping that will fix the problem.

 

[WhereRU_A-A-Ron]

I have been running the Dee Zee rack for over 2 years now and I guarantee that the lack of that air dam is 100% your problem. You'll forget it's up there once you get that installed.

 

[C.Sco]

I have been running the Dee Zee rack for over 2 years now and I guarantee that the lack of that air dam is 100% your problem. You'll forget it's up there once you get that installed.

Mine came w/ the airdam, so I haven't ever used it without it, but I can attest to the fact that my rack with the airdam makes zero wind noise at all.
When you look at the "airdam" (small piece of aluminum angle stock) you'll think "wtf, how is this supposed to make any difference"... but somehow it really does seem to make all the difference. Kudos to the folks at DeeZee for coming up with such a simple and minimalist solution that really works.

 

[Newbie718]

Good to know 2 years in and no problems. I don’t have anything to worry about once I install mine with the air dam. Did you have to add any loctight or tighten the bolts to any specific torque?

 

[WhereRU_A-A-Ron]

Good to know 2 years in and no problems. I don’t have anything to worry about once I install mine with the air dam. Did you have to add any loctight or tighten the bolts to any specific torque?

I’ve not used any loctite on my rack at all. I understand why folks might want to use it but it hasn’t been necessary for me.

 

[WhereRU_A-A-Ron]

Mine came w/ the airdam, so I haven't ever used it without it, but I can attest to the fact that my rack with the airdam makes zero wind noise at all.
When you look at the "airdam" (small piece of aluminum angle stock) you'll think "wtf, how is this supposed to make any difference"... but somehow it really does seem to make all the difference. Kudos to the folks at DeeZee for coming up with such a simple and minimalist solution that really works.

I was rearranging my rack configuration one day so I left the air dam off and ran to get my youngest son from school. Holy cow… it was insanely noisy and made a ton of buffeting around the freedom panel area.

 

[Newbie718]

Funny how something that simple and small could make such a difference. Although I can see why the rack could make so much noise with the channels not having a rubber gasket much like the Thule aero blade. I’d make sure to attach my mini air dam

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