Hardtop Cracks

[supermike]

I post a thread the other day showing I have a exactly same crack on my 2018 JLUR with 42k miles no impact no roof rack.

Sponsored

 

[FloridaLarry]

What about extreme heat or cold?

 

[supermike]

What about extreme heat or cold?

I haven’t been to Alaska nor Africa with this cracked top.

 

[SilverSurfer]

It is not just about weight and or static/dynamic load but rather about a good understanding of Newton's laws of motion and inertia.

10 pounds on the roof rack can equate to 1000 pounds of force. Did you people not pay attention in science class?!?

 

[supermike]

It is not just about weight and or static/dynamic load but rather about a good understanding of Newton's laws of motion and inertia.

10 pounds on the roof rack can equate to 1000 pounds of force. Did you people not pay attention in science class?!?

I don’t have anything on my roof, yet it still cracked.

 

[daveprice7]

I noticed the other day while removing my top how easily the sides flex in and out when the top is unbolted, which would stress the top there at those rear corners. A steel brace could be made to go around the rear window opening; maybe just a simple tube hoop with a couple of mounting points that could use rivets into the inner layer of fiberglass or utilize existing mount points like the strut brackets or clamp into the wire grommet openings. That should limit stressing those corners. Product idea for anyone listening! It might also prevent the spontaneous back glass busting during top removal (also likely due to that opening flexing).

 

[Maverick909]

knock on wood (or fiberglass) 20K miles with my pioneer RR with maximus supports an no crack. been running a 135lb RTT since the day i installed my rack. But i have to say i dont think its a weight or rack problem. if people are finding cracks in JL's without a rack on them then it seems more like bad production joint. I Hope this gets worked out for you

 

[Ativ01]

I was also at a recent event, The Rubicon Jeep Jamboree and several people were talking about this. I did check my roof and there is a small crack in the upper back corner of the hardtop. I don't have a rack system. I also have a whistle noise from the front of the roof which drives me crazy, I have a freedom three piece roof. Does anyone know of this is a warranty issue? Thanks!

 

[areuriding]

The fiberglass can't take the rack install. The rack should have an interior metal roof support of some sort to help with flexing.

 

[Bret]

I have a '21 JLU Rubi with Rhino platform and Maximus-3 support system. This is happening to my top as well. Cracks on both the driver and passenger sides of rear window frame. I have never had more than 50 lbs of cargo on roof. Fought this with Chrysler Jeep to no avail. A new painted top delivered and installed is $5,700.

My first observation is that the cracking/stress is occurring on the rear window area; not the side windows, or anywhere else on the top - yep, just the rear window area. Ask yourself - why this location? There doesn't appear to be any direct weight on the rear of the top. There are no bolts tying down the rear of the top, just the sides. Is the tailgate with tire pushing or stressing the back window in some way? FYI, There is a tailgate adjustment - could it be that adjusting this to the extreme, causes the tailgate to constantly put pressure on the back window, thus causing a crack at the corners?

Has anyone figured out what is causing this? Same type of cracks on both racked roofs and non-racked roofs. Cracks are in same location. Cracks all begin at joint. Ideas? Resolutions?

Sponsored