Sponsored

Hardtop Creaking and Popping

CM⛰

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Feb 15, 2018
Threads
16
Messages
290
Reaction score
616
Location
Austin, Texas Y'all
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLUR Granite Crystal
First time Wrangler owner. I am getting a creaking or popping noise from my hardtop when I make a turn or hit a bump. Thinking my bolts may be too loose or too tight. Any experienced Wrangler owners have a fix for this, or is this normal? Thanks.
Sponsored

 

kkuntz01

Well-Known Member
First Name
Kevin
Joined
Jan 20, 2018
Threads
32
Messages
1,117
Reaction score
1,162
Location
Mount Juliet, TN
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLU Rubicon, 2014 Ram 2500 Crew Cab
Check all the hard top bolts and make sure they’re snugged down. You don’t need to crank really hard on them or else you may crack or damage the top.

Also check the latches for the freedom panels to make sure they’re secured.
 

LeaN69

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2018
Threads
3
Messages
442
Reaction score
347
Location
North East
Vehicle(s)
22 JLUR 4xe / 23 Bolt EUV / 22 Camaro SS 1LE
Because the body is flexing I always had that in my JK and it was irritating. Keep trying with the screws and freedom panels you might get it just right.
 

JeepCares

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2018
Threads
15
Messages
5,093
Reaction score
2,568
Location
Auburn Hills, MI
Vehicle(s)
JL
First time Wrangler owner. I am getting a creaking or popping noise from my hardtop when I make a turn or hit a bump. Thinking my bolts may be too loose or too tight. Any experienced Wrangler owners have a fix for this, or is this normal? Thanks.
Hello,
We understand how this could be frustrating and see that you are just reaching out to other forum members at this time for advice. If you do not find a remedy and wish to visit the dealer to have this looked into further, please let us know. Just send us a PM with additional info.
Julie
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 

JASPER

Well-Known Member
First Name
Wayolife Sucks
Joined
Feb 10, 2018
Threads
16
Messages
458
Reaction score
229
Location
Tucson
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLU Rubicon and 2014 JK 2dr
I have the exact same issue!!!! annoying as hell@@@ have a 2014 and it never ever creeked!
 

Sponsored

JeepCares

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2018
Threads
15
Messages
5,093
Reaction score
2,568
Location
Auburn Hills, MI
Vehicle(s)
JL
I have the exact same issue!!!! annoying as hell@@@ have a 2014 and it never ever creeked!
Hi JASPER,

As mentioned to the other forum members, you're more than welcome to send us a direct message if you're thinking you'd like the dealer to take a look.

Jasmine
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 

Dfisher81

Active Member
First Name
David
Joined
Apr 19, 2018
Threads
2
Messages
25
Reaction score
13
Location
Dayton OH
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLU Sahara
Hello. First time JL Sahara owner as well. I’ve been tracking these down since I had 200 miles on the car. By removing the 2 front freedom panels and apply a thin layer of lithium grease, they are quiet now.

If you loosen all latches and reseat, then start passenger side first, from the large front latch, then move to inside rear latch, front inside latch, then rear outboard latch (think like tightening lug nuts). Do the same with the drivers side latches. If you continue to get noise, try to push on the center seal between the panels. That was my issue. I went back and added lithium grease and so far so good. It’s not perfect and you’ll get a creak on occasion pulling in to a driveway, but that may be the unavoidable reality of a top that has to flex against a number of seals at the same time.

I’ve also had noise issues other places: drivers dash pad and rear glass. (Let me know if you want more details)

Let me know your progress. Thanks!
 
OP
OP
CM⛰

CM⛰

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Feb 15, 2018
Threads
16
Messages
290
Reaction score
616
Location
Austin, Texas Y'all
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLUR Granite Crystal
Would a thin felt gasket under the hardtop help where it meets the Jeep? I feel like my noises are coming from the area where the 3 dolts are on each side.
 

JlRubi18

Well-Known Member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Apr 1, 2018
Threads
3
Messages
75
Reaction score
93
Location
Carson
Vehicle(s)
Jl Rubicon
♂ Unfortunately this is me too! I heard the creaking he first night me and my wife were driving our new Jeep out for a quick bite to eat. There’s nothing in my Jeep but I do notice going over bumps or where the Jeep is flexing, we can hear it. I will definitely check the screws for the top. And unfortunately this is another added things to check on when I go to the dealer.
 

Sponsored

eugene

Well-Known Member
First Name
Gene
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Threads
12
Messages
390
Reaction score
230
Location
USA
Vehicle(s)
JLUR Ocean Blue
Because the body is flexing I always had that in my JK and it was irritating. Keep trying with the screws and freedom panels you might get it just right.
I was having minor issues but yesterday in the cold as I left my driveway it creaked really bad. At first it seemed to be coming from just on latch, now it sounds like the whole middle divider between each top is making a big creak. Small vibrations were casing creaks but putting the tops off and on again fixed the minor creaks. Any suggestions?
 

DToxic

Well-Known Member
First Name
Blake
Joined
Jun 20, 2018
Threads
14
Messages
252
Reaction score
89
Location
Bay Area, CA
Vehicle(s)
2018 JL Rubicon
old thread but wanted to weigh in. Now that it's "colder" in california, the creaking has gotten worse. I'll probably lube all the seals as people mentioned once it warms up. It seemed to help the freedom panels...
 

Kadonny

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2018
Threads
3
Messages
459
Reaction score
275
Location
Malvern Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLUR Manual Trans Front Spacers, 2010 JKU Wrangler Sport
Yeah, the colder it gets, the more they creak. Lube up the seals, it should help a lot.
 

W1ck3d

Well-Known Member
First Name
Scott
Joined
May 19, 2018
Threads
1
Messages
270
Reaction score
142
Location
Toledo
Vehicle(s)
2019 jl rubicon
2d or 4d? 2d they are having problems with the drain tube cover on the inner bpost and for either 2d or 4d i think i saw someone say it already, but add "grease" (i usually use vasaline) to the seals where the targas meet the hard top across the top of the bpost
Sponsored

 
 



Top