Air Deflector help, please.

[Fundamental Jeepster]

Hey All,

Having deflector problems and need help. I've went through 4 Mopar (Jeep) deflectors and 1 Weathertech. Since the first of October, I've been through 2 Mopar and the Weathertech. I installed the Weathertech one as the instructions said and also the way a YouTube video showed. The mounting bases keep spider-webbing on me. I've tried metal spacers, flex-tape for a re-enforcement and the metal spacers on top and they still crack. Photos of the Weathertech attached.

Anybody running something that's not acrylic like those 2 deflectors? Are there any out there that are more of a hard rubber nature. Like the way they cleanup the front of the truck. Appreciate the help.

Thanks, Steve

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[Jteakus]

Have you tried some big fender washers between screws and shield?

 

[Wildtoad]

Looks to me like the washers are too small causing the shield to crack due to too much flexing. I’d think bigger washers on both sides of the shield would help.

Another idea is to run a wide strip of double sided tape between the shield and the hood the length of the shield in addition to the bolts. Leave off the second set of washers.

 

[Jaxmax]

We all are assuming those are the screws that came with the shields , by spacers I assume you put washers on already, my thoughts are the hole for screw is too small causing screw to cut into and put stress on the shield., or the screws are too tight. What has Mopar and Weathertech said when they replaced all these?.....Jack

 

[SanTan38]

Agree with wildtoad. Maybe a larger washer to increase the bearing surface. I’ve had the bushwaker one on my hood for a few years now with no issues.

 

[articcatbill]

I've had a Mopar one on mine and so far it's fine. Did you install the bump-ons? They really need to be there. I snugged my screws up good but didn't overtighten.

 

[HorsesRear]

I installed the Mopar deflector on my Gladiator. Went on with no problems. I like it because there are no glue strips and it does not say Weathertech on it.

 

[NorthCountry]

You can also try nylon washers, they have enough give to absorb vibration and any type of flex. Also as was said, if you holes are too small the plastic cracks even before the install.

 

[robinja]

If you install the Mopar deflector, you have to install the rubber cone supports that stick on the hood. Without them the deflector will put stress on the screw mounting points as air pushes against the deflector when you drive.

 

[Fundamental Jeepster]

We all are assuming those are the screws that came with the shields , by spacers I assume you put washers on already, my thoughts are the hole for screw is too small causing screw to cut into and put stress on the shield., or the screws are too tight. What has Mopar and Weathertech said when they replaced all these?.....Jack

Here is a picture of the spacers I used on the Mopar deflector. The second picture is the rubber bumpers from the Mopar deflector I used on the Weathertech to keep flexing to a minimum. The Weathertech is pretty solid, not much give.

I bought the Mopar through Quadratec and they replaced 2 of them. Bought the first in 2021, it lasted a month, Quadratec replaced. Using spacers and the large rubber bumpers (4) on the second, it lasted for 2 years. Bought the 3rd Mopar in October of this year, lasted a month. Quadratec replaced. That last one lasted 2 weeks so I went with something different. Went to Extreme

Terrain and went with the Weathertech. Didn't like the way it mounted. Just had 4 short self tappers and 4 nylon washers. Had to drill holes in truck. It lasted 2 weeks. I didn't do any modifacations on the Weathertech. Wanted to mount it as per instructions and see how it went. It went 2 weeks.

 

[Fundamental Jeepster]

Agree with wildtoad. Maybe a larger washer to increase the bearing surface. I’ve had the bushwaker one on my hood for a few years now with no issues.

Thanks. Will give it a look-see.

 

[Fundamental Jeepster]

I've had a Mopar one on mine and so far it's fine. Did you install the bump-ons? They really need to be there. I snugged my screws up good but didn't overtighten.

Used 4, #11 bumpers. On the last Mopar I covered the mounting surface with Flex Tape first, to give extra cushion, then used the spacers pictured in another post.

 

[GeneralMaximus]

I've had a Mopar one on mine and so far it's fine. Did you install the bump-ons? They really need to be there. I snugged my screws up good but didn't overtighten.

That may be the key difference. Dont overtighten, it needs to have a little give

 

[Light]

Hey All,

Having deflector problems and need help. I've went through 4 Mopar (Jeep) deflectors and 1 Weathertech. Since the first of October, I've been through 2 Mopar and the Weathertech. I installed the Weathertech one as the instructions said and also the way a YouTube video showed. The mounting bases keep spider-webbing on me. I've tried metal spacers, flex-tape for a re-enforcement and the metal spacers on top and they still crack. Photos of the Weathertech attached.

Anybody running something that's not acrylic like those 2 deflectors? Are there any out there that are more of a hard rubber nature. Like the way they cleanup the front of the truck. Appreciate the help.

Thanks, Steve

I bought a deflector on Amazon not expensive but not cheap either. It needed to have self tapping screws to install but it came with 4 rubber bump stops you 3m tape it to the hood I have not had any cracking or hazing so far and have over 35,000 on it. I have not had the best of luck with Weather tech plastics as they are brittle and had issues with customer service not answering calls only emails 2 weeks after the issue was reported so I opted to go cheaper and easier. All is good with what I bought.

 

[Fundamental Jeepster]

I want to thank all the Gladiator Brothers out there who responded to my post. After searching various websites for different styles of air deflectors, I've decided to go back with my original Mopar (Jeep) deflector. I like the way it looks and mounts, using the factory holes.

Upon studying the install, I noticed the mounting pads of the deflector do not lay flat on the underside of the hood. There is a small rise from the mounting tabs. So, I'm going to use the Flex tape again but on the side of the mount that makes contact with the underside of the hood. I purchased new thin, 1 inch washers with a small hole that I will use to spread the torqueing of the screws more evenly and above all, make sure I don't over-torque the hardware. Will post after a while to let you guys know whether it worked.

Happy Jeepin'
Happy Holidays
Steve

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