Hardtop Turbulence @ 50-60mph

[Rawyzf]

Anyone with the JLU (Hardtop) have strange turbulence @ 50-60mph? I don't know if that is the right word, but it's like if one of the back windows is opened and nothing else, so the air makes a chopping sound. It's not nearly as bad as the example above, but a similar feeling.

This doesn't happen when we have the soft top on, only the hard stop (swapped it back on for winter season coming).

Tried playing with the HVAC settings, to change airflow, no luck.

Thanks!

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[TheBirdie72]

Yeah, I know what you mean by turbulence. Happens all the time with my Jeep above 50 feet. ?‍

But seriously, check the seals on your hardtop. Something probably not lined up or sitting right?

 

[Maverick909]

Can’t say that I’ve had this problem with the hard or soft top. Double check that your freedom panels are set correctly and a gasket didn’t flip out at the time of install.

 

[Rawyzf]

Can’t say that I’ve had this problem with the hard or soft top. Double check that your freedom panels are set correctly and a gasket didn’t flip out at the time of install.

Thanks for the replies. Yep, did that, and even went as far as taking the hard top off again and putting it back on and making sure all the seals were good.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

Anyone with the JLU (Hardtop) have strange turbulence @ 50-60mph? I don't know if that is the right word, but it's like if one of the back windows is opened and nothing else, so the air makes a chopping sound. It's not nearly as bad as the example above, but a similar feeling.

This doesn't happen when we have the soft top on, only the hard stop (swapped it back on for winter season coming).

Tried playing with the HVAC settings, to change airflow, no luck.

Thanks!

Open a back window a few inches and see if it goes away.

 

[bugnuker]

Turbulence has never brought down a jeep.

 

[Rawyzf]

Open a back window a few inches and see if it goes away.

I didn't try a back window, but did try the front and it goes away (or the wind noise at least cancels it out).

 

[redelses]

this has happened to me in almost every vehicle I've owned, where if only the back windows are down just an inch or so and the front windows closed - it is much worse in a subaru than the jeep. as soon as you crack the front window, it generally goes away. the hvac doesn't really help it, and the hard top is worse than the soft top because the soft top does not seal as well and create that turbulence (similar to the subaru where cracking the sunroof the tiniest bit will get rid of the tubulence.

also anything blocking the inside of the tailgate (e.g. tuffy security enclosure, gear/storage boxes, etc) might make it worse because it blocks those pressure equalizing vents in the tailgate.

but only way I know to get rid of it is to crack open one of the front windows just a tiny amount. if you play with it, there is a sweet spot with the back windows open, front windows cracked slightly, that the noise almost cancels out.

 

[Rawyzf]

We do have a weather tech liner in the back....I can remove that to see if it opens some flow.

 

[oldcjguy]

It's called buffeting and it's common with the front windows down. Open a back window a couple of inches and it goes away. I assume the reverse is the same. Back windows down so open a front a couple inches.

 

[Buster1]

Yeah, make sure nothing is blocking the plastic on the inside of the tailgate. There are vents there under the tire carrier.

The only time I get the helicopter turbulence with my hardtop is when a passenger rear door window is open.

 

[rohdawg]

It's called buffeting and it's common with the front windows down. Open a back window a couple of inches and it goes away. I assume the reverse is the same. Back windows down so open a front a couple inches.

100% spot on.
Air coming in means air has to go out somehow. What you get is two air masses colliding in your vehicle resulting in that sound you hear.

 

[Maverick909]

Thanks for the replies. Yep, did that, and even went as far as taking the hard top off again and putting it back on and making sure all the seals were good.

interesting have you checked the windshield bolts? Have had those loosen Up after a day of wash board roads and wheeling.

 

[Rawyzf]

I'll check that rear gate area to see if there is blockage. As for the solution of driving with the window cracked in the rear, that's not gonna fly when it winter.

What is strange, this didn't happen in the first two years, but started late last year. Went away with the soft top, but it's back again this fall with the hard top on.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

I didn't try a back window, but did try the front and it goes away (or the wind noise at least cancels it out).

Ya, you're experiencing buffeting. If it's new, you've changed something that's affecting airflow. If it's not new, it's a Jeep thing. Lol

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