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Hood moves up and down while driving?

22K views 36 replies 27 participants last post by  Freedom JK 
#1 ·
Hi, I have a 2013 wrangler Sahara and I noticed when I go 70+ and its a little windy out I can see my hood move up a little when the wind blows hard. Is this normal?
 
#3 ·
Yeah, it's pretty normal. There are a few solutions but I removed the spring on the hood and haven't seen any significant movement since. Last week I was driving into a 40 mph headwind @ 80 mph and there was some movement when I passed big trucks, but nothing to worry about. Some people have upgraded their hood latches, there are many choices.

Do a search for "Hood Flutter".
 
#12 ·
So sorry that this upsets you, but it isn't really an issue. Your hood will not fly up. Either remove the spring, or replace the latches. There are only a couple hundred threads detailing this.
 
#14 ·
One of the first things I added to our 2013 Sahara when we brought it home was a pair of Rampage locking hood latches. I didn't buy them for the hood flutter issue I'd read about but for the security. I couldn't believe that anyone could just walk up to it and raise the hood.

I know it won't stop a determined thief but it'll discourage any theft or vandalism, more so than not having anything at all. They apparently also have stopped any hood flutter.

 
#28 ·
I bought the Daystar latches for my 09 right after the first time I met a semi headon with the usuall wind blowing hard and I know it won't come up due to the safety latch but it sure looked like it wanted to take off. After installing the Daystars' it doesn't move at all. Very simple you just replace the rubber factory things with the stronger material from Daystar and that is it, done.
 
#29 ·
Flaw to failure. I noted the the "flutter" in my 2013 Sahara Unlimited soon after purchase, but discounted as a harmless quirk. Yesterday changed that. Driving in Montana on a two lane at about 65mph, a large semi passed me going the opposite direction. Large wind blast and then my hood flutter was much increased. Pulled over to inspect and the outside latch on the passenger side had simply fractured in two. Resumed driving, but now all the flutter force was being transmitted to the driver's side outside latch even at speeds of around 50 mph. It seemed likely that another large wind blast could break the remaining outer latch, but some twisting of the hood would be probable in the process given no passenger side latch. So would that torque/twisting then be enough to disengage the inside latch and pop the hood open? Did not seem too improbable. Will definitely be buying one of the alternate latches mentioned here to replace the plastic ones that came with the vehicle. However it seems like there is potential for this design flaw to become a serious risk under typical highway speeds.
 
#32 ·
I pulled my hood spring 3 days ago. I have a lot less flutter but I'm in Kansas and we have wind. I travel 10 miles to and from work on I135 interstate doing 75 mph. I do like the look of the rugged ridge latches I may go that rout in the near future but for write now my wife will hunt me down if FedEx or UPS shows up again before Christmas:whistling
 
#33 ·
You can pull the spring and you won't notice as much routine flutter but it will not help at all when a semi passes you at 70 mph on a rural 2 lane freeway.

Pulling the spring didn't work on my '10 , 12 or my '14 that got the spring removed this week in rural as hell Kansas/Colorado. The hood still comes up a couple inches. The Daystar latches (for about $30) do the trick nicely. I'll order another set of those tomorrow.

Helps to heat them up in very hot water to get them to initially stretch.

3700 miles in 5 days, JKUR performed well both on the freeway and mountains outside of Silverton. Wish I could say the same for my tired eyes..
 
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