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Sunroof rattle

10033 Views 20 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  rossb
I have a minor rattle coming from my sunroof. Anyone else have this problem?
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My rattle is coming from the roof rails, right as they meet with the forward slope of the roof, on both sides. As you gain speed, air flows under the leading edge, like an airfoil. This sets up a vibration that gets pretty radical as you continue to travel. I have taken it to the dealer and they too do not understand what is happening. They have forwarded the problem to Chrysler Engineering for review. But you know how that goes!

Has anyone else experienced this? Has anyone come up with a fix?

Love my Nitro. It is black and looks Awesome. I have the 24c upgrade to the SXT plus 17" tires and rims. Also added the "U-Connect" and it works well. I am using two phones on it all the time and I am learning it.

Paul
prous8318 said:
My rattle is coming from the roof rails, right as they meet with the forward slope of the roof, on both sides. As you gain speed, air flows under the leading edge, like an airfoil. This sets up a vibration that gets pretty radical as you continue to travel. I have taken it to the dealer and they too do not understand what is happening. They have forwarded the problem to Chrysler Engineering for review. But you know how that goes!

Has anyone else experienced this? Has anyone come up with a fix?

Love my Nitro. It is black and looks Awesome. I have the 24c upgrade to the SXT plus 17" tires and rims. Also added the "U-Connect" and it works well. I am using two phones on it all the time and I am learning it.

Paul
Once your dealer finally gets back with you, they will tell you the current fix is to replace the factory double-sided 3M tape with a new piece. Reportedly, they are working on something more permanent.
My rattle is from bumps, not speed.
I have a '07 R/t with the same noise. I'm waiting for the better fix.
Rattle fix

My sunroof rattle was fixed by the dealer. They dropped the headliner and found a broken rivet and 2 screws that were loose. Its been fine since last week of July and over 2000 mi. It took them a couple of hours, but covered by warranty.
roof rack rattle

I have the same rattle , noticed it happening around 110 km hr , pulled over and found the rubber seal of the roof pulling off. Fixed this problem still there. Fouind the roof rack to be loose. Took it to the dealership , they have sent out for new roof racks , when installed will see how it goes. They tell me that I should not be driving at 160 km hr , I say the speedo says more.
wifesbombR/T said:
I have the same rattle , noticed it happening around 110 km hr , pulled over and found the rubber seal of the roof pulling off. Fixed this problem still there. Fouind the roof rack to be loose. Took it to the dealership , they have sent out for new roof racks , when installed will see how it goes. They tell me that I should not be driving at 160 km hr , I say the speedo says more.
Just out of curiosity, how much is 110 and 160 km hr in MPH?
110 kmh is about 70 mph and 160 is 100 mph I have had it up to 190 kmh she really sarts shakin then. going to purchase some new tires see if it helps
rossb said:
I have a minor rattle coming from my sunroof. Anyone else have this problem?
I have the same rattle. It is the roof rails as other mentioned.

There is a TSB on this and it is covered under warranty. I'm bringing mine to the dealer for a fix, you should too.
Which roof rails, the roof rack outside the car? The other poster said he gets a rattle at speed. Mine rattles at very low speeds.
Morse Code On My Nitro, Rat A Tat Tat Tat!!!

My Nitro Has A Noise Coming From The Roof Around The Front Outside Edges On Both Sides. I Don't Have A Luggage Rack But I Do Have The Basic Plastic Rail System That Runs The Length Of The Vehicle On Both Sides. Don't Know The Official Name For It. I Will Be Bringing It In To The Dealer So They Can Check It Out.

I Can Push Down On The Edges Of The Plastic Rail And They Act Like Miniature Diving Boards Because Of So Much Play In Them. I Can Get Some Permanent Cement And Maybe Repair It Myself But I Will Allow The Dealership To Take A Look At It First....


Mcnabb In Louisiana.............
On Order.....again!

Update, Dodge Dealeship Is Special Ordering Some Roof Rails And Molding To Try To Fix The Rattling Noise. They Think By Installing New Ones That This Will Solve The Problem. Will Let Everyone Know The Final Outcome.

Mcnabb In Louisiana.....................
Much, Much, Better!!

Alright, Guess What? Mark Dodge Dealership Ordered Me Some New Replacement Rails And Molding For My 07 Dodge Nitro Slt Because Of The Excessive Play In The Front Of Them Causing A Loud Pat-a-pat-a-pat-a-pat Noise While Driving Around 70 Mph And Above.

This Is What They Replaced:

Qty Fp-number Description
1 1jq42rxf-ab Molding
1 1jq43rxf-ab Molding
1 68032966-ab Rail
1 68032967-ab Rail


All Of This Was Covered Under The Basic Factory Warranty.
This Is A 100% Improvement Over What I Had. These Definitely Look Like The Right Thing For The Nitro, Contours To The Exact Of The Curvatures Of The Roof. Will Let All Know If I Have Any Problems.

Best Of Luck.

Mcnabb In Louisiana............
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Uh-oh, Again!!!!!!!!!

THOUGHT THE NEW ROOF RAILS AND MOLDING WAS A SURE FIX. SEEMS THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE MOLDING IN THE FRONT WHERE THE CURVATURE OF THE ROOF MEETS WITH IT, HAS LIFTED UP AGAIN. MUST BE TAPE UNDER THERE LIKE "MYBLUNITRO" TALKED ABOUT IN ONE OF THE PREVIOUS POSTS.

WILL GET WITH DODGE AGAIN AND TRY TO FIND OUT IF THEY HAVE THE SOLUTION TO THE PERMANENT FIX. VERY FRUSTRATING!!!! SOMETHING SO SIMPLE AND YET SO HARD FOR THEM TO TROUBLESHOOT.

IF THEY CAN'T HELP THEN I WILL BE LOOKING FOR THE PERMANENT BONDO PUTTY LIKE STRONG AS STEEL MIXTURE AND HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF IT MYSELF UNTIL MAYBE A RECALL IS MADE ON THIS FLAPPING PROBLEM. I WONDER IF ANY OF THE HEAD HONCHOS FROM THE DODGE/CHRYSLER CORPORATION READ ANY OF THIS THAT WE TYPE IN? PROBABLY NOT BECAUSE I "STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED A COPY OF MY WINDOW SALES STICKER THAT THEY THREW AWAY, THE ONE THAT I TOLD THEM TO KEEP FOR ME AFTER I BOUGHT THE NITRO"!!!!!!!!! WWHHHEEEEWWWW!!! I FEEL MUCH BETTER NOW, THINK I'LL GO TAKE A NAP......

MCNABB IN LOUISIANA............:mad:
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have to take care of it myself.....

MCNABB said:
THOUGHT THE NEW ROOF RAILS AND MOLDING WAS A SURE FIX. SEEMS THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE MOLDING IN THE FRONT WHERE THE CURVATURE OF THE ROOF MEETS WITH IT, HAS LIFTED UP AGAIN. MUST BE TAPE UNDER THERE LIKE "MYBLUNITRO" TALKED ABOUT IN ONE OF THE PREVIOUS POSTS.

WILL GET WITH DODGE AGAIN AND TRY TO FIND OUT IF THEY HAVE THE SOLUTION TO THE PERMANENT FIX. VERY FRUSTRATING!!!! SOMETHING SO SIMPLE AND YET SO HARD FOR THEM TO TROUBLESHOOT.

IF THEY CAN'T HELP THEN I WILL BE LOOKING FOR THE PERMANENT BONDO PUTTY LIKE STRONG AS STEEL MIXTURE AND HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF IT MYSELF UNTIL MAYBE A RECALL IS MADE ON THIS FLAPPING PROBLEM. I WONDER IF ANY OF THE HEAD HONCHOS FROM THE DODGE/CHRYSLER CORPORATION READ ANY OF THIS THAT WE TYPE IN? PROBABLY NOT BECAUSE I "STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED A COPY OF MY WINDOW SALES STICKER THAT THEY THREW AWAY, THE ONE THAT I TOLD THEM TO KEEP FOR ME AFTER I BOUGHT THE NITRO"!!!!!!!!! WWHHHEEEEWWWW!!! I FEEL MUCH BETTER NOW, THINK I'LL GO TAKE A NAP......

MCNABB IN LOUISIANA............:mad:

hello again,
talked to the dodge dealership today about the molding on the roof rail still coming loose even after they installed new molding and roof rails for both sides. after the talk, the conclusion is for me to try and fix it myself. i have a couple ideas.

i want to ask anyone which glue they prefer the best to make the plastic stick to the painted metal permanently.
"gorilla glue, the 2500# glue that bonds in 20 seconds, elmers(ha,ha), the putty that is neaded together to form a stronger than steel fix, or whatever.

can anyone suggest the best for me, thankyou.:(

mcnabb in louisiana............
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Here is the latest on the roof rail rattle. I got tired of the dealership constantly telling me they didn't know anything about rail rattle. I shared all that I had learned from this forum and it didn't seem to faze them. Finally, a mechanic at the dealership ticked me off when he said I would just have to leave it and they, "would see what they could do!" I had followed a suggestion received from the forum about "replacing the 3-M tape!" That stopped the problem until the vehicle got washed. After leaving the dealership I went to Home Depot and picked up a small bottle of thick Super Glue. I glued the rubber gasket to the 3-M tape. Guess What? No more rattle and the vehicle has been washed about 5 or 6 times since.
IT is amazing what a little Super Glue can do to quiten a vehicle. Now my Nitro is one of the smoothest riding and running vehicles I have ever had. I won't likely waste my time at the Dealership again.
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I noticed a rattle in the roof which I thought was coming from the sunroof, but I noticed if I push up on the DVD screen the rattle stops. Is any one else having this issue?
Roof Rack Rattle

I just purchased a 2007 Nitro SXT with the 23C package. The dealership needed to order the cross rails for the roof rack. My concern with them only being held on with double sided tape is when I put a load in the turtle (cross rails mounted storage) or attempt to transport a mattress or plywood that the rails will completely come loose from the truck and potentially hit a vehicle behind me. Does anyone have the cross rails to carry materials or it is just a matter of them coming undone from the tape not holding? I live in S. Florida and if humidity is a cause, I may be in deep trouble.
I just purchased a 2007 Nitro SXT with the 23C package. The dealership needed to order the cross rails for the roof rack. My concern with them only being held on with double sided tape is when I put a load in the turtle (cross rails mounted storage) or attempt to transport a mattress or plywood that the rails will completely come loose from the truck and potentially hit a vehicle behind me. Does anyone have the cross rails to carry materials or it is just a matter of them coming undone from the tape not holding? I live in S. Florida and if humidity is a cause, I may be in deep trouble.
Only the front of the rail has tape under it. About 10" back of the front edge is the first bolt that secures the rails. There are several more bolts on each side all the way to the back. The rails aren't going to come off. Put whatever you want up there, just strap it down, somehow.
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