Rattle Inside Freedom Top Panels

[CherryOnTop]

I have something rattling around inside both of my Freedom Top panels. It's not really an issue unless we're doing steep trail stuff but still annoying. If I take the panels off I can use them like Maracas. There are a couple of small black plugs I could try to remove and see if anything falls out. Anyone else had this?

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[Fudster]

I have something rattling around inside both of my Freedom Top panels. It's not really an issue unless we're doing steep trail stuff but still annoying. If I take the panels off I can use them like Maracas. There are a couple of small black plugs I could try to remove and see if anything falls out. Anyone else had this?

Mike--not to insult your intelligence, but from the "rule out club," those Freedom panel hinge bolts are snug?

 

[LuvHydro]

None of my 4 panels have ever rattled.

Reminds me of the old wives tale about a guy finding an empty whiskey bottle inside the door of his Cadillac with a note that said something like "Take that you rich bastard"

While I doubt it's ever actually happened, I'll bet the workers have been tempted from time to time.

 

[CherryOnTop]

Mike--not to insult your intelligence, but from the "rule out club," those Freedom panel hinge bolts are snug?

Yes, the bolts are tight. It might help if I describe the sound. Imagine putting a small piece of gravel in a long wooden drawer and then tilting the drawer back and forth.

 

[GtX]

Yes, the bolts are tight. It might help if I describe the sound. Imagine putting a small piece of gravel in a long wooden drawer and then tilting the drawer back and forth.

So.... It's like a rattle?

 

[Fudster]

Yes, the bolts are tight. It might help if I describe the sound. Imagine putting a small piece of gravel in a long wooden drawer and then tilting the drawer back and forth.

Ok...so a rattle consistent with motion, need I tell you, is indicative of, spoken in generic terms, "something loose."

I'll bet, like me, you've narrowed this down to some piece that broke off, internal to a freedom panel, that's rattling around with vehicle movement, within the internal confines of a freedom panel, or an improperly seated freedom panel, or both.

My bet--you tell me as you're the man on the scene--is the first scenario.

What are your thoughts here sir?

 

[brazuka]

Yes, the bolts are tight. It might help if I describe the sound. Imagine putting a small piece of gravel in a long wooden drawer and then tilting the drawer back and forth.

Hey did you ever figure out a solution? I had this same thing happen to me. Like you said, it sounds just like a maraca lol. It’s like there are pebbles or granules just rolling around.

 

[CherryOnTop]

Hey did you ever figure out a solution? I had this same thing happen to me. Like you said, it sounds just like a maraca lol. It’s like there are pebbles or granules just rolling around.

No, I did not. I just turn the radio up. But seriously, I proved that it's something rolling around inside the panel by taking it off and tilting it. Thought I could remove one of the clamps and dump it out but couldn't see how to do that.

 

[brazuka]

Gotcha. I’ve spent the evening poking around the panel and I’ve noticed there’s a small hole along one of the edges. There’s also a few black plastic circles which I’ve discovered are just a sort of panel clip that come off with a pry tool which also reveal holes. These all lead to the same hollow area where the cursed pebbles are. So I think what I’ll do is just fill up the panel with water and try to flush them out. Hopefully whatever’s in there will come out when the water drains. Tomorrow I’ll give it a try and update you on how it goes.

 

[brazuka]

Update:
The flush worked. I filled up the panel with water, sloshed it around and let it drain slowly through the small hole in the corner. I made sure to angle it in a way that ensured the pesky debris would be forced to sink and flow towards the opening. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see what caused the rattle, but the end result was all that I hoped for. I let it dry in the afternoon sun and overnight in my garage and confirmed this morning that the issue was fixed. No more maracas!

 

[CherryOnTop]

Update:
The flush worked. I filled up the panel with water, sloshed it around and let it drain slowly through the small hole in the corner. I made sure to angle it in a way that ensured the pesky debris would be forced to sink and flow towards the opening. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see what caused the rattle, but the end result was all that I hoped for. I let it dry in the afternoon sun and overnight in my garage and confirmed this morning that the issue was fixed. No more maracas!

That's great! Would you mind posting a photo of the hole you used? I want to try the 'FREEDOM FLUSH' too!

 

[brazuka]

Freedom flush, I love it!
It’s pretty straight forward. I did mine on the driver side panel, but it’s the same for the passenger panel (just mirrored).

The hole is located in the back, towards the center of the panel as shown. You can use this to both fill up and drain the panel. It’s in a great position to drain as it’s the lowest point on the panel which guarantees a complete drain

The hole is quite small so a bit of patience is required to fill up the panel. Alternatively, you could pry open one of the black push pins, which reveal a slightly larger hole which made filling it easier. Just make sure to use a proper pry tool to avoid damaging the surrounding finish. I also recommend going around the plastic pin with a knife to loosen it from the panel.

Once halfway filled, you can slosh it around and drain it using the side hole. That’s all there is to it. Best wishes with your freedom flush!

Apologies for the out of order pictures, I don’t know how to fix it ?

 

[CherryOnTop]

Update:
The flush worked. I filled up the panel with water, sloshed it around and let it drain slowly through the small hole in the corner. I made sure to angle it in a way that ensured the pesky debris would be forced to sink and flow towards the opening. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see what caused the rattle, but the end result was all that I hoped for. I let it dry in the afternoon sun and overnight in my garage and confirmed this morning that the issue was fixed. No more maracas!

Brazuka, I performed the Freedom Flush as you described and it was successful! While as cool a ‘feature’ as our audible inclinometer was I am glad to be rid of it. Out of curiosity, I strained the water coming out from the flush and found what appears to be beads of excess glue or sealant that had likely hardened and broken off, becoming the source of our annoying rattle. Jeep engineers - are you listening? I added a step to the process by removing one of black plugs and using it to (cautiously) pump compressed air into the panel to blow out the water that didn’t drain out with gravity. If you do this I suggest limiting the pressure you pump in so you don’t explode your roof panel! Thanks Brazuka for your helpful solution.

 

[Chris D]

I am positive the freedom panel audible inclinometer was designed on purpose. Removing that super critical warning notice I am sure has voided the warranty on the powertrain and rust through.

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