Wind noise reduced 70%

[Outback_Joe]

Many thanks to the OP on this easy fix. I did it a little differently but it has the same basic result in making the JT quieter, especially when driving into the wind. We have a good 35MPH wind out of the south today and this made a marked difference in the noise level. These are easy to remove if I want to lay the window down or clean out behind them.

Here are photos of my fix. I used some packing foam that has some form fitting qualities to it and its about 1" thick (25mm).

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[ParatusExpeditions]

That’s clean, thanks all for the different way of doing this. May try to find 30min to do that this weekend.

 

[Caspien]

Tried this out, this past week, and a couple of observations:

1.) It seems to do.. SOMETHING. I'm not sure it changes the noise level, honestly, as a decibel reader that I borrowed from work, didn't seem to have much of a change. ( about .3dB difference). The TONE of the noise definitely changes, however.

2.) There is definitely something inside AND outside of the area that's leading to this noise. When I have my light mounts (Mopar L brackets that mount to the side, and the top) installed, the tone also changes. So much so, that when the brackets are installed, adding the sound batting doesn't seem to make any noticeable change in dB OR tone. When the lights and brackets are removed, there is DEFINITELY some difference.

Talked to a friend whose an AE, this morning.. just sort of picking his brain about it, and he said the noise is likely a difference in pressure underneath vs on the top, causing every place that pressure leak/change can normalize, to produce extra noise. By adding additional drag on the surface (in the case of my light mount) the air flow changes direction just enough, that the areas of leakage, aren't experiencing as much of variance in pressure, immediately, so the tone/resonance changes.

Said to think about it, like a woodwind instrument. As you close and open holes, you change the tone/resonance being produced, as the wind flows over and out of those locations. Same sort of situation here. It's likely just redirecting the way the air flows across those combination of parts.

He said if we REALLY want to test it out, the best method would be to not only create a (temporary) air dam inside, but also to put a gasket around the area, preventing any (substantial) airflow from escaping that area.

Like a few others pointed out, however, be aware there's a drip line in that area, too. Don't want to be trapping water in there.



~ Casp

 

[CrazyCooter]

I've been watching this thread and really thinking sound deadening material on the plastic cowl corner to damp that panel combined with the foam gasket posted above to seal the wind from running across sharp edges?

 

[mrmo]

So I read another post about being able to adjust the brackets the the freedom panels lock into. The 6 latches that rotate, their brackets can be adjusted up and down. The 2 snap latches can be adjusted forward and backward. I dropped the brackets to their lowest setting and evened out my freedom panels. The wind noise has been reduced to a tolerable level but it is still louder than my gladiator. To get to the brackets you need to pull down the plastic trim And you need a torx bit. Smaller than the one than in your jeep tool kit.

I wanted to try this, but on my '22 there is not adjustment on those brackets, either one. I tried putting some small washers under the rotating latches with no noticable change.

 

[berb]

I wanted to try this, but on my '22 there is not adjustment on those brackets, either one. I tried putting some small washers under the rotating latches with no noticable change.

You have to pull down the plastic molding in front of the brackets. If they are black, they should be adjustable. You may not see it but if you loosen the screw the bracket will "drop' down.

 

[Summitsearcher]

Wow, good find, mine has been driving me crazy since I had it. I pulled the windshield down and stuffed foam and weather strip seals into all cavities, added more all along the windshield body side frame area, and little change. I didnt take the cowl panels off, will go there next.

So, stuffing all your cavities didn’t work?

 

[mrmo]

Nope...Im thinking this cowl panel idea may help...its definately comingin from the bottom somehow

 

[Summitsearcher]

Nope...Im thinking this cowl panel idea may help...its definately comingin from the bottom somehow

What? Behind the wheel well maybe? Around door hinges? They do cause some drag sticking out.

 

[mrmo]

What? Behind the wheel well maybe? Around door hinges? They do cause some drag sticking out.

I put extra weather strip on the door edges, and where others had success in a sheetmetal junction on the door frames. No help. It sounds lije its coming from the base of the windshield

 

[Rockabillyroy]

I had some gift cards sitting around so for shts and giggles, I got a volant CAI just for a little more noise.

Installed, drove around, made sure to hit the highway and honestly did not hear much of a difference. Then I rolled down my windows and then could finally tell the difference.

damn this noise reduction mod! Haha.

I ended up doing a combo of soft foam in the cowl and in the opening.
Between this and the softtop headliner, I can talk to and clearly hear my kids in the back seat even on the highway.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I’ve had a dozen plus jeeps since 1975 and this is the second Jeep I’ve had with a heater, the first I’ve had with a working radio that wasn’t a push button AM and the only one with an AC. A little wind noise isn’t bothering me too much. BUT….. I’ve scrounged a little foam, I’ve got some duct tape…… I might just give this a try.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Inspired by this thread I shoved foam weatherstrip into the left and right cowl areas at the base of the windshield where there is a definite gap, then taped over it. Not sure I’d say 70% but there is a noticeable difference in wind noise. It was definitely worth the 15 minutes and $0 that I spent! I need to add a hardtop headliner and sound deadening next.

 

[tysongladiator]

Good move!?

 

[cgm]

I also need to quiet my interior... I will try this once the rain stops.

Has anyone tried this way to add weatherstrip around the windshield and caulk the seam on the back side of the window frame?

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