Hard top wind noise

[jericbarg]

I am not trying to start an issue between all of us or Us vs. JEEP, really just trying to give the average Jeeper the boost to attempt these small things themself. BUT we all need to email JEEP corp, with our VIN and state our issues. The VIN is very important to track issues internally.

Great bunch of folks here on this forum and I feel everybody really wants to make each others experience a great one.

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[3uPh0riK]

This forum has been quite entertaining, somehow went from wind noise to Beer quality. So is everyone having this issue, or some form of wind flow/noise issue?

 

[Harleydz]

I really don’t think is that big of deal. Sure it would be nice to have a perfect truck for what we’re paying for them but I think Jeep knew about this potential which is why the hinges are adjustable. Expecting them all to be perfect from the factory with the number of assembly variables that could come into play is unrealistic, in my mind at least. I just see it as another opportunity to work on the vehicle. That’s half the fun.

Im happy you have such a great attitude about it. Maybe we all should .Thanks

 

[jericbarg]

This forum has been quite entertaining, somehow went from wind noise to Beer quality. So is everyone having this issue, or some form of wind flow/noise issue?

Even though I do not drink beer, Quigley and most everyone around this foum appear to be folks I would enjoy hanging out with.

These are all small issues that are easily handled right now, hopefully no pattern failures show up anytime soon.

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

I am not trying to start an issue between all of us or Us vs. JEEP, really just trying to give the average Jeeper the boost to attempt these small things themself. BUT we all need to email JEEP corp, with our VIN and state our issues. The VIN is very important to track issues internally.

Great bunch of folks here on this forum and I feel everybody really wants to make each others experience a great one.

I'm always interested in learning how to diagnose and fix a problem. I'm not an engineer or mechanic by trade, but my friends and family call me a "Mr. Fix it" because I will dive into most things to try to fix them myself (within reason), from A/C units, washing machines, iPhones, computers, vehicles, etc. It's amazing what you can learn from forums and Youtube.

I have not inspected the windshield hinges personally but it sounds like there is some means for adjustment according to jericbarg (which I thank for sharing his knowledge and suggestions). It would interest me to understand the assembly process and whether factory line workers are actually bolting the entire hinge to the frame/body and checking tolerances during assembly or if one half of the hinge is already bolted to the windshield frame when delivered to the line and the assembly worker simply mates the two hinge halves together (the same way Jeep recommends users remove the windshield). The latter might suggest that no one is really checking the tolerances of the frame if it's a simple plug and play process.

 

[jericbarg]

I'm always interested in learning how to diagnose and fix a problem. I'm not an engineer or mechanic by trade, but my friends and family call me a "Mr. Fix it" because I will dive into most things to try to fix them myself (within reason), from A/C units, washing machines, iPhones, computers, vehicles, etc. It's amazing what you can learn from forums and Youtube.

I have not inspected the windshield hinges personally but it sounds like there is some means for adjustment according to jericbarg (which I thank for sharing his knowledge and suggestions). It would interest me to understand the assembly process and whether factory line workers are actually bolting the entire hinge to the frame/body and checking tolerances during assembly or if one half of the hinge is already bolted to the windshield frame when delivered to the line and the assembly worker simply mates the two hinge halves together (the same way Jeep recommends users remove the windshield). The later might suggest that no one is really checking the tolerances of the frame if it's a simple plug and play process.

You sound like me.
When our AC unit went out in our lake house, the local AC company gave me a quote for $13500 to replace both units. I purchased 2 Trane units and installed them myself. Savings of $6000 even after buying some special tools for the job and I know the job was done right. Mind you I am not an AC technician, just have some common sense. $6000 for 8 hours work is pretty good in my book.
While hardwork and sacrifice made me a very good living I was able to retire at 48 in part by saving money every where I could.

Years ago a 15k service on a Gallardo was $9800, I did my own using Lamborghiini factory parts for $1400(that included service manual and cam tools), again I know it was done right with no corners cut and the car never left the safety of my garage.

I grew up somewhat poor and could not afford to pay someone to repair things for me, so I learned to do the repairs myself.

My Son is going to be the same way, he will tackle anything, very independent.

 

[jericbarg]

Sorry for the soapbox reply above.

Back to the real issue.

The windshield hinges are mated to the frame and painted seperate from the body. Later in assembly it is mated to the body, if it fits inside certain production specs the assembly line will not adjust it. These parameters are fairly large due to this being a mass produced assembly.
Again, JEEP pays the dealers to inspect each vehicle before delivery to retail customer. This inspection covers small adjustments like this.
This is always overlooked due to so many people who do not worry about noises, vibrations, or other small issues. The tech also knows if a picky person gets the vehicle it will come back for more indepth adjustments and a warranty claim will be paid. Win/win for the tech.

To easily check your windshield frame fitment, look at body gap between w/shield frame and doors. Start at the top(where the freedom top/frame and door meet) and come down, if the gap is even all the way down, you are probably alright. If it is larger at the bottom adjust your hinge(w/shield frame) in a tiny bit. We are talking about 1/16th of an inch. measurements. This body gap should be even all the way down.

I do not fault anyone for going back to the local dealer, but we cannot let these issues not be known to JEEP corp..
A quick email with VIN starts a QC discovery process that may not help us current owners but will help future buyers.

 

[Gooseisdead]

I think I need to make this adjustment but I'm still a little confused as to what to adjust. Anymore detail would be greatly appreciated

 

[liquids]

Every car buyer wants their new purchase to be issue-free whether they paid $20k or $50k, but that's just not reality. The industry used to have a measure called "Cs per 100", or quality issues per 100 vehicles. (I'm sure they call it something else now.) The industry average is about 100, or one per vehicle. The best manufacturer is at about 70. Let's not get our panties in a bunch about something that's probably an assembly process issue and almost certainly fixable once they nail down the cause.

(And that's why it's riskier to buy at the start of a model redesign year.)

Commence skewering of me in 3...2...1...mark.

 

[jericbarg]

I think I need to make this adjustment but I'm still a little confused as to what to adjust. Anymore detail would be greatly appreciated

The gap between the door and windshield frame should be even from the bottom to the top of the windshield frame. the fron

I think I need to make this adjustment but I'm still a little confused as to what to adjust. Anymore detail would be greatly appreciated

Look at where the pin is in the 2 pics, between those 2 points you want that gap the same the full length of the w'shield frame.
Before I adjusted mine the lower gap was slightly wider, indicating the w/shield frame could come back slightly.

 

[Gooseisdead]

It looks as if the gap on mine increases as it goes down. Hard part, what is needs to be adjusted?

 

[jericbarg]

Your gap does not look too bad from the pic.

If you fold the windshield down there is 2 torx bolts on each hinge at the bottom of w/shield frame, slightly loosen those 2 bolts on the side of the jeep that needs gap closed. Move the windshield very slightly up. snug the bolts and fold the windshield back into position(slowly) and recheck gap. A tiny adjustment goes a long way.

Follow proper procedure for folding windshield, check you tube.
Your hardtop tool kit includes everything needed to fold it down.

 

[Gooseisdead]

If you fold the windshield down there is 2 torx bolts on each hinge at the bottom of w/shield frame, loosen those 2 bolts on the side of the jeep that needs gap closed. Move the windshield very slightly up. snug the bolts and fold the windshield back into position(slowly) and recheck gap. A tiny adjustment goes a long way.

Follow proper procedure for folding windshield, check you tube.
Your hardtop tool kit includes everything needed to fold it down.

Thanks.

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

Thanks.

If you do this procedure, can you take pics and post them here. I would like to see how the hinge mounts to the windshield frame when you have the windshield folded. That would be awesome. Thanks.

 

[Gooseisdead]

Done. I made a very small adjustment moving the windshield up. Just gave it a test drive and could notice a slight improvement. Mine was never that bad to begin with. Might not of even given it too much thought except for the fact it was a little louder than my JK. Anyway, that was easy to do and fun to take the windshield down for the first time. Just remember you are driving a big rectangle with a removable top and dont expect luxury vehicle noise levels.

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