OEM Roof Rack Vibration Issue

[Bob A]

The OEM roof rack that came on my new Trailhunter has the vibration problem others have posted about online. This basically makes my trunk undrivable above 60 miles per hour. It is so loud that you can't talk in the cabin and the radio is not loud enough to drown it out. The mirrors also shake so bad its hard to check for traffic.

I know the audio in the video probably doesn't seem like much but, it's the best I could capture while driving.

Anyone else having this problem? Anyone got a fix for this? Does moving the cross bars to other locations help?

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[Gurvy522]

Ah, the good 'ole stretch of I-90.

Maybe just try tightening up all the bolts/screws? But given that it's OEM and it came with your truck, I'd just take it to the dealership. It's on the sticker, it should be warrantied.

 

[Bob A]

Went back to the dealer and they made sure everything was up to torque. I really hope it becomes a warranty issue and they engineer a fix for this.

I found it interesting that on delivery there was torque safety paint on the ABR, but not on the roof rack.

 

[AKYLEP]

I had this problem too. I took the front shield and cross bar off the roof rack and beefed up the vibration isolators. The three little ones that come with the rack barely make contact with the front shield. I had a hard time finding replacements, so I went to Home Depot, bought some bigger rubber foot pads meant for furniture. I added two additional isolators too. Bolted them on with stainless hardware. Tested on the freeway to 90 and no more vibrations. Picture below of what I used. Also, used stainless 1/4 inch screws and locknuts.

 

[Bob A]

@AKYLEP You sure did it. Thank you.

First problem I noticed is that my cross bar is cracked. I almost wonder if this is from the vibration. But good to know I have a pretty good warranty claim now.

I used this stuff--- Only needed the number 10 washers

To make these bumpers.

I also placed the neoprene washers between the metal. Sort of like this.

I also tested on highway speeds up to 90. Thanks again for solving my problem.

 

[AKYLEP]

Glad it worked out for you too! I’m sure the crack came from the vibration. Mine was pretty violent.

 

[hart24601]

Thank you for the fix. It was just horrid before. Nearly unbearable except for slowing down.

 

[DrewRoss59]

The OEM roof rack that came on my new Trailhunter has the vibration problem others have posted about online. This basically makes my trunk undrivable above 60 miles per hour. It is so loud that you can't talk in the cabin and the radio is not loud enough to drown it out. The mirrors also shake so bad its hard to check for traffic.

I know the audio in the video probably doesn't seem like much but, it's the best I could capture while driving.

Anyone else having this problem? Anyone got a fix for this? Does moving the cross bars to other locations help?

Yes! I took it into the dealer and they acted like it was the snorkel. Duh. But I took a trip to MA and tried everything I could think of on the way. The only thing that worked was when I stuffed a big wool blanket in behind the windscreen (where the Toyota logo is). When I got back home, I found some plastic packing foam strips and stuffed them in there and it is fine. I’m going to let the dealer and Toyota know that they need to fix this the right way.

Another thing though. I bought the Roam 83L cases with the mounting brackets and they do not even come close to fitting on this roof rack. I can’t find any sort of mods for it either. Anyone with ideas on how to run vertical bars across these crossbars, or any system that would work on top of it, would be much appreciated.

 

[ProjektZero]

Yes! I took it into the dealer and they acted like it was the snorkel. Duh. But I took a trip to MA and tried everything I could think of on the way. The only thing that worked was when I stuffed a big wool blanket in behind the windscreen (where the Toyota logo is). When I got back home, I found some plastic packing foam strips and stuffed them in there and it is fine. I’m going to let the dealer and Toyota know that they need to fix this the right way.

Another thing though. I bought the Roam 83L cases with the mounting brackets and they do not even come close to fitting on this roof rack. I can’t find any sort of mods for it either. Anyone with ideas on how to run vertical bars across these crossbars, or any system that would work on top of it, would be much appreciated.

only cases and mounts I have found that work with the oem rack are the pelican cases.

I also took the rack to the dealer and they said they were willing to swap it out with the prinsu pro rack. I do like the fixes proposed above though. I might try that but honestly the OEM rack is very limited with options so I might not bother and just wait till the dealer does the swap.

 

[Gypsy]

@AKYLEP You sure did it. Thank you.

First problem I noticed is that my cross bar is cracked. I almost wonder if this is from the vibration. But good to know I have a pretty good warranty claim now.

I used this stuff--- Only needed the number 10 washers

To make these bumpers.

I also placed the neoprene washers between the metal. Sort of like this.

I also tested on highway speeds up to 90. Thanks again for solving my problem.

This is amazing, thank you for the pictures and steps. I just got my new Trailhunter and this is making me crazy!

Can I ask - the washers, did you glue them down or just put them in between and tighten?

 

[Bob A]

Can I ask - the washers, did you glue them down or just put them in between and tighten?

Yeah I had a helper and 4 hands, so I just put them in between. I am pretty sure that this step was over kill and could have been skipped.

 

[ProjektZero]

I might be going crazy but this weekend I took off the screws to one side of the wind deflector to see what I’d have to work with. When putting it back together I decided to check the other side for tightness and realized they were loose (never touched that side). Once I got everything tight I drove on the highway and no vibration at all. I wonder if it’s just a tightness issue with the wind deflector and the bar with the bum stops on it? I’m going to do another drive and see what I get.

 

[Gypsy]

Yeah I had a helper and 4 hands, so I just put them in between. I am pretty sure that this step was over kill and could have been skipped.

Thanks so much!

 

[Gypsy]

You are a GENIUS. This worked. I am so relieved. THANK YOU

Yeah I had a helper and 4 hands, so I just put them in between. I am pretty sure that this step was over kill and could have been skipped.

 

[Chewmeista]

@AKYLEP You sure did it. Thank you.

First problem I noticed is that my cross bar is cracked. I almost wonder if this is from the vibration. But good to know I have a pretty good warranty claim now.

I used this stuff--- Only needed the number 10 washers

To make these bumpers.

I also placed the neoprene washers between the metal. Sort of like this.

I also tested on highway speeds up to 90. Thanks again for solving my problem.

Thank you so much for posting this fix. I was having the same issue. I did exactly what you did and now there's no vibration at all. I thought my rearview mirror would fall off because it was vibrating so much before.

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