Wind Cheetha Roof rack to 110

[JohanSwarts]

Hi Everyone,

I have just fitted a wind cheetha 2.8m expidition rack to my 110. It looks really nice but the noise is just shocking.

It not just wind noise, it "hums" with cross winds and sometimes even rattles the whole vehicle. I have seen some wind deflectors fitted to the underside of the rack as a mod and would like to find out if anybody had the same issue ? And if yes, what was your sollution.

Thanks in Advance....

[weeds]

My rack came with a wind deflector and I didn't fit and yes it was noisy, when I fitted the awning the noise went

[Loubrey]

Johan,

I have a 2.0m one fitted on a Defender 90 that came standard with the bottom wind deflector. I not had any wind noise or vibration, but I do have the "low profile legs fitted.

As weeds mentioned does it do the same thing when you have something loaded or fitted?

Cheers,

Lourens

[JohanSwarts]

Ive got the standard wind deflector fitted and its even worse without it. When loaded there is no issues...then its quite like a mouse.

Ive got the 225mm legs fitted.

[TeamFA]

We have a "Bushmaster Safari", which appears identical to the Wind Cheetah unit. Normal wind noise isn't noticeable, but whenever it's not loaded, we occasionally get the "hum" effect you're talking about, and occasionally a rattle will build up.

No wind deflector. It happens pretty rarely for us, though, so it's not something I would bother doing something about.

No issues at all when the MSA 2.1 roof bag is on with stuff in it - which is usually how we travel.

[patclan]

I have the 2.8m half expedition rack, it came with the deflector, I fitted it before I put the rack on so can't compare, but I have not noticed any noise.

I take the rack off every now and again and only just put it back on before Xmas and never noticed any change in noise then either.

cheers

[JohanSwarts]

I spoke to the supplier and he said I can try to move it back or forwards by an inch or so and through trial and error it may get better. He also mentioned that the rack should be flush with the back of the vehicle whereas mine was fitted +-40mm forward of the rear. I will move it back to be flush with the Defenders rear and see what happens. Maybe it will stop miraculously........

[juddy]

Should have bought a Patriot or a Hannibal...:wasntme:

Best bet would be to fit the optional wind deflector, it should help..

Of Interest we are now stocking the new slim line modular Wind cheater racks...

[Loubrey]

I spoke to the supplier and he said I can try to move it back or forwards by an inch or so and through trial and error it may get better. He also mentioned that the rack should be flush with the back of the vehicle whereas mine was fitted +-40mm forward of the rear. I will move it back to be flush with the Defenders rear and see what happens. Maybe it will stop miraculously........

Mine sits flush with the back "corner" of the Defender. Loosening all the fittings when you slide it back might just release some torsion or stress that might have developed as they tightned the fittings in the first place.

I also remove mine periodically an I honestly can't hear a difference between it being fitted and not...

[JohanSwarts]

Thanks Guys,

Just found this (http://attachments.dolium.com.au/products/files/RMRLDEF-28E[64].pdf?r=1253353902) on doliums site and it is pretty clear in its direction of installation. I am a bit PO'd :mad: with the shop that installed mine because:

1. It is not flush with the rear. Out by about 40mm;
2. The legs isnt even on the right members;

Hopefully if I re-install according to the manual it will be better. Charge you 100 bucks and the pros cant get it right.

Thanks for all the comments and help !

Cheers

[JohanSwarts]

Sorry, installation manual (http://attachments.dolium.com.au/products/files/RMRLDEF-28E[64].pdf?r=1253353902)as per below.

[Benz]

Should have bought a Patriot or a Hannibal...:wasntme:

with the floor of the roof rack running along the length of the car?

I can see how that helps for wind noise reduction (have a hannibal rack myself) but for fitting things too your roof rack the bars that run across the car are more practical.

currently trying to fit some solar panels to my rack and the bars running along the car are making it a bit of a pain :(

[JohanSwarts]

Thanks Guys,

I ended moving the rack flush with the rear and installing the legs as per instructions and roofrack is perfect now. No noise or vibrations. Makes you think why you pay somebody $ 100 bucks to do it "right".

Cheers

[patclan]

Good stuff!! Glad you got it sorted, shame you lost $100, maybe let them know so they don't screw up the next one ;-)

[land864]

Thanks for that info John.

I bought my Wind cheeta rack second hand down in Altona.

I put it on my 02 Defender and hit the ring road.

Holy crap , the bad vibrations:eek: I thought a prop shaft was about to let go:confused:

I got home , took it off and didn't get to use it again.

I sold it to a mate who fitted it on his D2. I told him about the vibration issue.
About 6 months later I am in the car with him and he informs me that he has spent nearly $ 1000 getting his driveline checked out for a bad vibration but nearly has it sussed:eek:

When I reminded him about the rack his response was:censored:

He fitted a 100mm pipe to the front and a full length piece of timber that runs the whole length of the rack and has a bolt at every cross bar.

That seemed to fix it.

He has since changed racks and I bought it back off him.

It's on the County but I have it fitted back to front so I can fit the roof top tent opening up to the rear.

I think I have lost the wind deflector thing too:(

What do you think it is , in their fitting process instructions that cancels out
the vibrations

[Loubrey]

It appears that their instructions are pretty critical in fitting them, especially the leg spacing on the 2.0m and longer racks... Fitting them flush with the back somehow appears to to be important as well.:eek:

Mine was assembled and fitted as per the instructions and I've not had a hint of vibration.

Cheers,

Lou

[JohanSwarts]

I Have the 2.8 expedition rack and apparently the length is perfectly worked out for the air stream to enter the rack at the right position/angle. So even if the rack is only 15mm to far forward the wind stream enters incorrectly and causes the vibrations. the legs positions is also important for some reason the clever people can probably give yu clever answers for that .

I am just glad that I can drive in (relative) silence now.....as I stil need to do something about the mudterrain noise I keep getting....;)