Aug 18, 2021
I have seen some threads on the 'other' site, along with a video from the TFL folks complaining about the 'terrible' and 'unbearable' noises coming from the MIC top. Trust me, as an owner who has an FE, I am not saying the top is perfect. But, I think we need to be careful about blowing some things up to the point that they become quality investigations...when they are simply just part of the removable hard top experience. Most of the sounds coming from the top probably fit into this category.
The creaks and snaps that some people are experiencing (including myself) are not necessarily an indication of a problem or a flaw. As many of us who have been Wrangler owners should know, these sounds can be part of the normal driving experience with this type of top. I had several hard top Wranglers and with the advent of Freedom Tops (removable panels over the driver/passenger), pops/snaps/creaks became a normal experience. In fact, I made a warranty claim on my first Freedom Top equipped Wrangler. The service department 'fixed' it in about fifteen minutes. When I asked what they did with my Jeep after they took it back to the service bay, they said that they deal with the 'creaking' Freedom Tops all the time and the solution is 'remove the top panel, rub some silicone lube on the gaskets, put back the top'. They told me to do this at the change of seasons, and reapply regularly. The gaskets dry out, and the plastic/composite materials will expand/contract/move in reaction to driving movement and the weather. A dry seal can cause the tops to snap and creak, but a lubed seal will move with the top and make no sound. As long as I kept the gaskets taken care of, no strange noises from the top. As a bonus, silicone lube actually makes the rubber gaskets last longer and keeps them from drying out and cracking.
Now, I am having these noises on my Bronco and plan to give it the same treatment...however, before I put anything on the seals, I need to know what they are made out of. For most gaskets/seals, silicone based products are safe. But, on the off chance that the seals are silicone based, the worst thing in the world to put on them would be silicone as the seals would dissolve/disintegrate. (Petroleum based lubes will degrade most other types of gasket).
David/Laura...can we get a verification on the gasket material for the hard top? That way we can maybe solve some of the non-quality issues with the MIC top and reduce a little of the hard top stress.
The creaks and snaps that some people are experiencing (including myself) are not necessarily an indication of a problem or a flaw. As many of us who have been Wrangler owners should know, these sounds can be part of the normal driving experience with this type of top. I had several hard top Wranglers and with the advent of Freedom Tops (removable panels over the driver/passenger), pops/snaps/creaks became a normal experience. In fact, I made a warranty claim on my first Freedom Top equipped Wrangler. The service department 'fixed' it in about fifteen minutes. When I asked what they did with my Jeep after they took it back to the service bay, they said that they deal with the 'creaking' Freedom Tops all the time and the solution is 'remove the top panel, rub some silicone lube on the gaskets, put back the top'. They told me to do this at the change of seasons, and reapply regularly. The gaskets dry out, and the plastic/composite materials will expand/contract/move in reaction to driving movement and the weather. A dry seal can cause the tops to snap and creak, but a lubed seal will move with the top and make no sound. As long as I kept the gaskets taken care of, no strange noises from the top. As a bonus, silicone lube actually makes the rubber gaskets last longer and keeps them from drying out and cracking.
Now, I am having these noises on my Bronco and plan to give it the same treatment...however, before I put anything on the seals, I need to know what they are made out of. For most gaskets/seals, silicone based products are safe. But, on the off chance that the seals are silicone based, the worst thing in the world to put on them would be silicone as the seals would dissolve/disintegrate. (Petroleum based lubes will degrade most other types of gasket).
David/Laura...can we get a verification on the gasket material for the hard top? That way we can maybe solve some of the non-quality issues with the MIC top and reduce a little of the hard top stress.
BN 0232 Bronco "Skwach" - 4 Dr FE, Lightning Blue, MIC/NP
New acquisition - Ranger Lariat Tremor, Rapid Red "Quake" (Skwach's little brother)
Other fun stuff: Honda Pioneer 1000 dirt toy (Need hitch!)
New acquisition - Ranger Lariat Tremor, Rapid Red "Quake" (Skwach's little brother)
Other fun stuff: Honda Pioneer 1000 dirt toy (Need hitch!)
KennyMac, Deano Bronc
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Aug 18, 2021