AEV Rack disaster (rhino pioneer)

[fullofdays]

Anyone own an AEV rack?

I purchased a JK 350 with AEV Roof rack installed from AEV in March. I removed the rack and stored it in my garage so my jeep would fit inside the garage in the spring. I found out that the mounts on top of the roof leaked like mad water all down the roll bar and ruined my carpet. Cheap hardware rusted out after a few months. Water is trapped underneath the brackets & my top has 8 holes in it from the mounting hardware that leak. Took it to my dealer and the tech siliconed the brackets to stop the leaks.

I went to install the rack back on the roof of my jeep today and the rack fixtures are an inch longer than the brackets!! Doesn't fit anymore!! ******. I think the brackets shifted when the technician siliconed them.. Now I have a rack that doesn't fit on my jeep and a hard top with 8 holes in it that leaks like a sieve.

Anyone have this rack? I reached out to Jeff @ AEV but am curious if anyone else has had issues with this rack? Good quality. Very poor design. Would not recommend this rack.

http://imgur.com/ud3lRn8
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http://imgur.com/U2zvihz

 

[Judoka]

Well, I could ease your pain a bit by trading my hard top for that one you have there with the rack in question!:coffeedrink:

 

[Explore]

I have had the AEV rack on and off for some time now. I haven't had any issues with moisture but it rarely rains in SoCal. You can PM for additional info. But I would call AEV and your dealership and get it realigned properly. I have yet to have an issue with AEV customer svc.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

 

[HeliNomad]

I have the AEV rack also. Pollard, my AEV dealer, told me they have a special method for sealing these racks after having some issues also. I'm surprised to hear that the factory was having trouble but I know it can be an issue if not aligned or sealed properly. I did an extensive leak test when I got the truck home and I really couldn't find a single issue. I'll keep an eye out. Keep us updated.

Thanks

 

[BAH]

Its probably just some misalignment with the Jeep side mounts. If they were taken off, without the rack, and reinstalled, the tech would have no idea of the alignment. You would be best to remove the Jeep portion, clean up the silicon, then, with the rack available, put it all together. Just remember to use silicon or some other sealant under the mounts. I would also go find some stainless hardware to use.
Also, if your taking the rack off, get some shorter bolts and install them in the holes to fill them, then cover the bolts in silicon to keep water out.

 

[fullofdays]

Going to drop it off at my dealer tomorrow. Hopefully the tech can rectify the issue.

Wonder why Rhino racks don't have a quick detach setup for removing things. People want to take their hardtop off in the spring! It shouldn't be designed to be permanent fixture.

 

[Idahoan]

Same page but I don't like gooping RTV to try to fix a leak. Usually a short term solution on the problems I've had. I'd make a gasket out of silicone rubber. I usually throw away supplied hardware and use stainless where possible. If you use stainless bolts to nuts, put on a small amount of anti seize so they don't gall. Not familiar with the mounting on this product.

 

[HeliNomad]

You should drive a Land Rover Defender....leaks are a figure of speech.

 

[bradfordrovers]

You couldn't be any more correct. My last Land Rover was a 97 Defender, and there was always a leak someplace.

 

[fullofdays]

My dealer is sorting out the mess. Turns out that the AEV (rhino) rack was designed to be a permanent fixture to the top. Jeep designed the top to be removable. There lies the problem. Great rack if you never plan to remove your hard top.

 

[IKE2013]

A little disclosure on that small detail would have avoided the headache. Damn.

 

[CodyY]

A little disclosure on that small detail would have avoided the headache. Damn.

A little common sense on the part of the end-user would also have

 

[matt s]

You couldn't be any more correct. My last Land Rover was a 97 Defender, and there was always a leak someplace.

Haha. THey say you can always spot a first gen blazer driver by the wet left knee. The door always leaks there from the rain gutter.

 

[TexasTJ]

If you want to trade top I might be happy to work out something as mine has no holes. Although Im in Texas and my experience is that all Jeep Freedom tops leak water.

 

[fullofdays]

Got it sorted out. The rack is back on and no leaks ....YET!

I called Dave @ AEV He sent me instructions on how to remove the rack but didn't disclose that It was designed to be a permanent fixture. The rub is that mopar designed the hard top to be removed. Hence the issue. Hell, the bolts to the inside mounts are hidden and not accessible!! Piss poor design IMHO.