Soft Top window blowing out

[Bonnyvr]

My soft top window was warrantied by Jeep and I greatly appreciate that! However, for anyone that has a 2018 Rubicon/Wrangler JL with the premium soft top I would highly encourage you to seek additional "securing methods" for the soft top panels when in use. There are no zippers or snaps for these panels and they will "fly off" at some point due to the plastic wearing out, stretching, etc. We've only had our soft top in use for 3 months. I'll be adding a high grade velcro or straps to help keep them in place going forward.

Unfortunately, I had the same happen to me with a 2020 JL last sunday. Driving on the high way the driverside window just blew out. I was unable to retrieve it. As this happens more often, it seems like a manufacturing issue. Glad to read that you got it covered in warranty. Can anyone share what the process is for claiming the warranty? Thanks so much!

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[Bonnyvr]

Just happened to us on a 2021 JLU. Hit the highway and boom, drivers side rear gone and destroyed. It had been on the car for at least 800 miles prior to this, and all seams were tight and looked good.

I called Customer service and they said i'd hear back in 24hrs and its 27 now and nothing.



UPDATE: Jeep was great and are covering it. Should be here in the next two days. So about 10 days without one. Now to figure out how to secure it better.

Did you reach out to Jeep service or your dealer? What phonenumber did you call?

 

[nostran]

2021 JL here, our corner window flew off after 2 weeks from the purchase date. Dealer and warranty denied the claim since I do not have the damaged window that flew off on the highway.

 

[modeler]

2021 JL here, our corner window flew off after 2 weeks from the purchase date. Dealer and warranty denied the claim since I do not have the damaged window that flew off on the highway.

Did you lock it with the back piece window? If not it is easy to open and eventually blow off.
I believe the three piece back panel need to be there together or remove together.

 

[exilepa]

@JDJones and @FormerF150Owner are right on the money in describing the issue as well as pinpointing the fix. I'm trying JDJones' fix, hope it works.

I picked up the same copper part from Home Depot JDJones used. But I saw a similar PVC part so got that too. Both of them together was under $1. Both parts have identical inner diameter. Except the PVC has an indent ring right in the middle which might be an advantage since it hugs even tighter. Cut a slit so it can slide over the 'C' channel of the soft panel.

This shows how the weak 'C' channel gets stretched out after it slips off the rod.

I ended up using the PVC part to wrap around and reinforce it. (The copper part had rougher edges and didn't slide over as easily but I'm sure it would work similar.)

Installed the panel and had the PVC part sit right where the rod ends. Between the panel's 'C' channel and this PVC part, it's completely wrapped around the rod now. The soft top covers over this so you wouldn't see this white piece unless you flip the fabric up.

I'll see if it actually addresses the problem with some time. If this solution works it doesn't actually make the soft top on/off any more difficult. Fingers crossed.

[Update 1/22/2021]

• Adding link to the 1/2" PVC Coupling part from Home Depot.
• Been pleased so far. It's been 3 weeks and it's still holding up. Been through a car wash and 75+ mph highway trips.

@RubiRed Is this fix still working for you? I had the dreaded experience 2 weeks ago of my passenger side window flying off on the highway and being destroyed by traffic behind me and trying to avoid losing another window...sigh.

 

[navyflyer]

I only have 800 miles on my 2Dr JL, but had a softop jeep since 1990, CJ7 and YJ, so I’m pretty good with softops…anyway, I noticed that with the JL, as you slide the white tipped rod in the c channel, it may pop out of the track as you work the window back into position WITHOUT any sign of feeling or amount of pressure change felt while working it back. And you can completely install the window WITH half the rail out without knowing it. I only found this out when I noticed it happened when installing the other side…looked over to the window I just installed and that rail was halfway out!
So, I wonder if this is happening without you guys noticing it. Or over time at highway speeds, fluxing wind and air pressures allow that rod to make its way out of the channel. Either way, that C rail should not be that flexible that the rod slides out THAT easily on a Jeep 3 months old. I think jeep should make the c rail stiffer and less flexible, and therefore it won’t give allowing the rod to slide out.
I like the pvc clamp idea and an going to add it to my softop…maybe add another one to the other end or midway? And the cotter pin idea is great. Gonna look for a larger diameter quick release pin maybe like a trailer hitch has (but obviously not that big).

Anyway, double check that the rail is inside the entire c channel after install y’all! Good luck, be safe.

 

[navyflyer]

I only have 800 miles on my 2Dr JL, but had a softop jeep since 1990, CJ7 and YJ, so I’m pretty good with softops…anyway, I noticed that with the JL, as you slide the white tipped rod in the c channel, it may pop out of the track as you work the window back into position WITHOUT any sign of feeling or amount of pressure change felt while working it back. And you can completely install the window WITH half the rail out without knowing it. I only found this out when I noticed it happened when installing the other side…looked over to the window I just installed and that rail was halfway out!
So, I wonder if this is happening without you guys noticing it. Either way, that C rail should not be that flexible that the rod slides out THAT easily on a Jeep 3 months old. I think jeep should make the c rail stiffer and less flexible, and therefore it won’t give allowing the rod to slide out.
I like the pvc clamp idea and an going to add it to my softop…maybe add another one to the other end or midway? And the cotter pin idea is great. Gonna look for a larger diameter quick release pin maybe like a trailer hitch has (but obviously not that big).

Anyway, double check that the rail is inside the entire c channel after install y’all! Good luck, be safe.

Something like these?

 

[navyflyer]

Or these?

 

[RubiRed]

@RubiRed Is this fix still working for you? I had the dreaded experience 2 weeks ago of my passenger side window flying off on the highway and being destroyed by traffic behind me and trying to avoid losing another window...sigh.

Yes and no.

Yes the PVC reinforcement grabs tightly and doesn't let the c-channel slip off. But the tip of the rod is actually separate from the rest of the rod, it just pops in and held in place by friction. With the PVC reinforcement helping the c-channel grab onto the rod tightly, over time it's pulling the rod tip out and bends it down a bit. So on the hottest Seattle summer heatwave (I notice the hotter the day the tighter my window panel stretches) the c-channel did pop off again (because the rod tip isn't seated properly and bent downwards a bit). I have since superglued the rod tip to see that's enough to make it stay. It hasn't slipped off again but we haven't hit really hot days since.

Only time will tell if this works. Or I'm just punting it to the next thing that will fail. Wish this was better designed from the factory.

 

[JDJones]

Yes and no.

Yes the PVC reinforcement grabs tightly and doesn't let the c-channel slip off. But the tip of the rod is actually separate from the rest of the rod, it just pops in and held in place by friction. With the PVC reinforcement helping the c-channel grab onto the rod tightly, over time it's pulling the rod tip out and bends it down a bit. So on the hottest Seattle summer heatwave (I notice the hotter the day the tighter my window panel stretches) the c-channel did pop off again (because the rod tip isn't seated properly and bent downwards a bit). I have since superglued the rod tip to see that's enough to make it stay. It hasn't slipped off again but we haven't hit really hot days since.

Only time will tell if this works. Or I'm just punting it to the next thing that will fail. Wish this was better designed from the factory.

The copper fitting doesn't stretch like the PVC one in high heat areas. It works really well in the Texas heat where I am. Something to consider for your area.

 

[flyer92]

Here is my fix for the issue if it could help someone out. It has held the window in place for over 300 miles of highway speed, with both front windows rolled down. It may be a permanent solution for me until I can conjure up something nicer.

1) Buy a 54 cents 1/2" copper coupling.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbil...Coupling-Fitting-with-Stop-C600HD12/100342365
2) Saw down the length to turn it into a "C" clamp of sort
3) Slip it onto the plastic track flange on the window panel
4) Install the window
5) slide the coupling up to the lolly pop awning rail

Been monitoring this thread since I purchased my JL last Spring, and like your solution. I also noticed the metal snap fastener in your first photo, which I assume you installed, and was curious if that had any effect on securing the window as well.

 

[Purple Turtle]

Hi drock317,
We're deeply sorry that this happened. At your earliest convenience, please send us a private message with your VIN and current mileage so we can look into this further.
Lydia
Jeep Social Care Specialist

I am having this same issue. The dealership was going to cover under warranty and ordered the window and now they say they have never heard of this problem. Can you please HELP me? I know for a FACT this window was put in properly as I have them checked each time I put them in. Same deal as the others. Also, this is huge safety concern if I was in traffic it could have caused an issue.

 

[Purple Turtle]

Can't relate

Where did you buy this?

 

[JP29]

Where did you buy this?

Believe his was a MyTop. True power convertible, though pricey.

 

[JeepCares]

I am having this same issue. The dealership was going to cover under warranty and ordered the window and now they say they have never heard of this problem. Can you please HELP me? I know for a FACT this window was put in properly as I have them checked each time I put them in. Same deal as the others. Also, this is huge safety concern if I was in traffic it could have caused an issue.

Hi, Purple Turtle. We'd be happy to speak further with you about this. Please send our team a private message with more details.

Kate
Jeep Cares

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