Noise from roof rack

[DanishJeeper]

I recently installed a Frontrunner Slimline II full size roof rack on my Jeep Wrangler..... The size leaves no room for a windshield in the front, but I experience a lot of noise from the rack, when driving which is quite unpleasant :-) Has anyone got same issues, and even etter - solutions to how I can reduce the noise ?
The sound is not a "howling" or "whistling", but more like a drill (BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR) :-)

 

[Kozysnack]

i used paracord on the front edge of our rack. It helped with the wind noise and is a bit of line if needed in a pinch

 

[DanishJeeper]

i used paracord on the front edge of our rack. It helped with the wind noise and is a bit of line if needed in a pinch

I tried that, but the noise comes from vibration (empty frontrack) more than actual wind....

 

[OTH Overland]

We have a rhino rack on our JKU with a roof top tent and awning, we spent a lot of time seeking noise issues, found out that the air splitting over and under the rack was creating turbulence between the rack and the hardtop. sounded like someone drumming on the roof while driving. We found that a section of foam pipe insulation compressed nicely between the roof and rack right behind the front edge removed all the noise. (eventually I crafted a wind block/spoiler to go between the roof rack and the tent, and was able to remove the pipe insulation, just had to stop one of the pathways to prevent the turbulence.) We also added Hothead headliners to the inside of the roof which greatly reduced interior noise from both wind and vibration, in addition to keeping the heat way down on hot days.

 

[MOAK]

Are you able to adjust the placement, front to back? Mine used to rumble a bit, I slid it back less than an inch and the rumble went away. If not, a small airdamn bolted up top would be my starting point. An inch high may be just enough. As a last resort ( ) call Frontrunner up. I’ve dealt with them and they have always offered sound advice and never attempted to upsell me.

 

[smritte]

^^^^^^This^^^^^
In the shop, I would have to adjust the rack slats back on customers racks. As time went on, the manufactures stated lowering them and moving them back. The issue is the air catching an edge. This will either whistle or vibrate.

My rack has a deflector on the front. If you have a deflector, the air can catch one of the slats. Experiment with rack position and slat position. Pulling whole sections of slats can narrow down which area is causing it.

My rack is about six inch's back from the top of the windshield.

 

[AndrewFRO]

Hey @DanishJeeper. Do you have the wind-deflector installed? It is comprised of two small winged pieces of metal that sit under the front crossbar of the rack and prevent wind from vibrating the slats which is typically the cause of the "BRRRRRRRRRRRR" sound

 

[Dakota Houligans]

I use black wire. Wrap in around the front cross beam in a spiral pattern. I just used black zip ties to secure it on each end. 60,000 miles of silence on the truck so far. And many more on others I've had. Simple and effective. I forget the technical term for it, but it stops the air buffering around and after the leading edge. I've only used it on square and round tubing racks.

 

[Steph_ Adventures]

you could get plexiglass sheets and cut it into strips and mount it to the rack to deflect the airflow. ?‍

 

[smritte]

you could get plexiglass sheets and cut it into strips and mount it to the rack to deflect the airflow. ?‍

Yes. That's the reason some companies put deflectors in front of them. The noise is caused from the air moving across an edge. This can also happen with things mounted on sides.
When I was dealing with this in the shop, sometimes all it took was moving a slat forward or back a few inch's.