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Anyone have a rattle at the hardtop at top and freedom panel??

21K views 18 replies 15 participants last post by  ceads9 
#1 ·
Yep On Driver side just at my left ear where the back of the driver side freedom panel and the hardtop meet. There's that black little handle that you take in the panel down with and I tried to tighten that little black handle and it's tight as can be but when I push lately against that panel upwards the rattle stops. .

It sounds like plastic vibrating in which it is.

The top is evenly buckle down all the way around, it's a 2016 Rubicon. I'm tired of the rattling crap out of this thing anyone experienced this and what did you do?
The top is evenly buckle down all the way around it's a 2016 Rubicon. I'm tired of the rattling crap out of this thing anyone experienced this and what did you do? :beerdrinking:
 
#4 ·
Just a suggestion...but reseating the entire top might help.
-Remove freedom panels
-loosen bolts holding top to body
-push the top to the front of the jeep as much as possible
-retighten bolts
-replace freedom panels

Also:
For the panels, I found that securing them in this order gives me the best result
-place panels
-secure "L" sliding latches
-apply the latches that secure to metal loops
-screw in top screws, but snug, not tight

Good luck.
 
#7 ·
I had a rattle on the hard top I've been tracking down for a while now. Drove me nuts. It was definitely coming from the passenger side, but nailing down exactly where was difficult.

With the top 2 front panels removed, the rattle went away. So I knew it had something to do with them.

I tracked it down to the pin that goes in the hole at the front of the panels. With the tops off, I put a few strips of electrical tape over the hole and cut a slit in it. Then I pushed the panel into place, seating the pin in the hole now covered with the tape.

It stopped the rattle! I think the rattling was coming from the pin bumping around in there. The tape acts as a cushion and keeps the panel in place.
 
#9 ·
I'm going to try this when I get home! I've had my JK for 3 weeks and have been trying to track it down since day 1. Luckily I've been top/doorless all but 3 days of ownership but of course, rain today and the rattle is back!
 
#8 ·
Another thing to try...

Roll the window down just a tiny bit (like a quarter inch). Does the rattle stop?

Sometimes the top edge of the window will rub against metal inside the window frame and cause a rattle/squeak sound. I solved this in my 2013 by cutting a strip of tshirt fabric and jamming it lengthwise into the top, inner frame of the window.
 
#10 ·
I think mine is a combination of two things. After trying to source the rattle yesterday I noticed the pin that aligns the freedom panels towards the front is hitting the sides of the hole when the body/panels flex, causing one rattle. Tried putting some tape around the hole, seems to have helped a bit, going to try some cloth or a material to stop the plastic from hitting tonight. The second rattle is coming from not having the screw in the hardtop. It's not that it's rattling back and forth, it's the flex causing it to rub.
 
#11 ·
I have one at the same location. Comes and goes though. I did check the top a couple weeks back, and the bolts were a little loose. Felt like it helped it, but now I'm noticing it again.

Should I be checking to see if they are still snug weekly?? Never remember having to do that previously.
 
#12 ·
Should I be checking to see if they are still snug weekly?? Never remember having to do that previously.
Are you referring to the big ones you turn by hand to secure the Freedom Panels? Or the Torx ones that attach the hardtop?

Either way, no, you shouldn't have to keep tightening them any more than maybe once a year. The Freedom Panel ones... maybe a bit more often.
 
#14 ·
I had this same noise. I put a small piece of foam between the hardtop and freedom panel and the noise is gone.
It's basically the two pieces lightly tapping against each other... I'll try to get a picture of exactly where they are hitting and post it up later today...[/QUO

Yes, picture please! So many rattles. So little time lol.
 
#15 ·
See pics. The little rectangular bump is what rattles against the freedom panel. There are these little rubber tabs to prevent the rattle, but they aren't thick enough...
A little bit of foam like I did, eliminates that noise completely. The drivers side was the worst, but lately my passenger side began to do it if I hit some really rough patches in the road, especially a serious of bumps.
I'm pretty sure this is your solution... Let me know if it works for you, too. ^^^
 
#18 ·
I recently found the cause of my rear top panel rattle noise. It turned out to be the rear window rubber seal making contact with the seal on the rear door. It was dry rubber against rubber making those sounds that were pretty hard to troubleshoot.
I applied some silicone plumber grease around the rubber seals and the noise was completely gone.
My next small project will be applying the same grease on all rubber seals on the doors and top panels. Just a small amount of grease is all it takes, it stays on for a long time protecting the rubber and making the seal even more waterproof.
 
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