Cutting the flat plate off the expedition roof rack?
TReK
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 1,979
From: Pacific NW
You’re not off to a good start.
The factory rack does not have ridiculous noise level by any stretch. Perhaps you’ve either:
-- installed a knockoff aftermarket rack that is not genuine LR
-- screwed up / improperly installed the rubber strips on top of the rack and created the problem by a bad install
-- you’ve installed it on one with a canvas convertible roof which is not approved
-- are driving with the sunroof open (duh - obviously there will be noise..)
-- or something else is up.
But a proper install on a truck with genuine rack, the noise is not a problem with the sunroof closed.
The factory rack does not have ridiculous noise level by any stretch. Perhaps you’ve either:
-- installed a knockoff aftermarket rack that is not genuine LR
-- screwed up / improperly installed the rubber strips on top of the rack and created the problem by a bad install
-- you’ve installed it on one with a canvas convertible roof which is not approved
-- are driving with the sunroof open (duh - obviously there will be noise..)
-- or something else is up.
But a proper install on a truck with genuine rack, the noise is not a problem with the sunroof closed.
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Wow, nothing like an idiot response to a normal question. Don’t buy this roof rack. It’s genuine Landrover, professionally installed by the dealer and is horrible.
Good luck.
Good luck.
You’re not off to a good start.
The factory rack does not have ridiculous noise level by any stretch. Perhaps you’ve either:
-- installed a knockoff aftermarket rack that is not genuine LR
-- screwed up / improperly installed the rubber strips on top of the rack and created the problem by a bad install
-- you’ve installed it on one with a canvas convertible roof which is not approved
-- are driving with the sunroof open (duh - obviously there will be noise..)
-- or something else is up.
But a proper install on a truck with genuine rack, the noise is not a problem with the sunroof closed.
The factory rack does not have ridiculous noise level by any stretch. Perhaps you’ve either:
-- installed a knockoff aftermarket rack that is not genuine LR
-- screwed up / improperly installed the rubber strips on top of the rack and created the problem by a bad install
-- you’ve installed it on one with a canvas convertible roof which is not approved
-- are driving with the sunroof open (duh - obviously there will be noise..)
-- or something else is up.
But a proper install on a truck with genuine rack, the noise is not a problem with the sunroof closed.
TReK
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,559
Likes: 3,623
From: Kirkland WA
2 strong opening contributions to the forum there. Top tier posts. lol
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 27
Likes: 14
From: Boston, MA and Northwest Maine
Not sure if that person is a Russian troll, but the issue they raise is real. At least within the 2020 Defender forum, there are a few threads regarding a noise issue with the OEM expedition roof rack. And the noise is not your average wind noise caused by roof rack, but some sort of loud vibration related noise apparently to do with the fasteners coming loose on the cross bars, wind deflector, or some other part on the rack. Apparently people have had success just re-tightening some of the fasteners, adding locking/anti-vibration washers, etc. I too am now having issues with this noise and am sorting through the fixes. I had contacted my dealer out of curiosity and they hadn't heard about the issue yet. But no surprise there as I think most people don't want to have to pay the dealer to trouble shoot the issue.
TReK
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 1,979
From: Pacific NW
Interesting... to confirm - yes to all of the following? 2024 model year 110? Non-fabric roof? Brand new JLR roof rack (not aftermarket)? Rack was installed by the dealer who should know what they are doing?
That stinks.
You have a 2024? With a new dealer installed roof rack? Make them swap it out for another one? Easy. Under warranty. Or are they saying the noise is not real or not bad enough to warrant such an option?
One note: There are 3 different part numbers in the JLR system for the 110 roof rack:
VPLER0181 (obsolete, this is the one that went NLA 2020/2021 and was pulled because it had corrosion issues)
VPLER0203 (the one I bought a few years ago - no noise, no corrosion. no issues).
VPLLE0007 (apparently this is the latest one according to this official JLR parts site https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic.com/vpler0181-expedition-roof-rack.html, unsure what changed...)
Can you check your invoice. Which did you get?
That stinks.
You have a 2024? With a new dealer installed roof rack? Make them swap it out for another one? Easy. Under warranty. Or are they saying the noise is not real or not bad enough to warrant such an option?
One note: There are 3 different part numbers in the JLR system for the 110 roof rack:
VPLER0181 (obsolete, this is the one that went NLA 2020/2021 and was pulled because it had corrosion issues)
VPLER0203 (the one I bought a few years ago - no noise, no corrosion. no issues).
VPLLE0007 (apparently this is the latest one according to this official JLR parts site https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic.com/vpler0181-expedition-roof-rack.html, unsure what changed...)
Can you check your invoice. Which did you get?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 27
Likes: 14
From: Boston, MA and Northwest Maine
Yes, to all your questions. And should've added I intend for the dealer to fix the issue since my rack is very much under warranty. I had to reschedule my service visit but initially spoke to Service about it and we'll drive together when I bring it in so I can identify the noise for them. But so noticeable it can't be mistaken for anything else. I'll keep the group posted on what the dealer does (and the part number for my rack). Stay tuned. 
TReK
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,559
Likes: 3,623
From: Kirkland WA
Winkling out noise from rack is not hard.
1. All bolts in the feet. Feet to rails and rack to feet must be torque checked after a certain number of miles. This eliminates the possibility of any macro bodily movement in the rack.
2. If the noise is a high pitch whistle it will be the rubber strips. Missing or cut short and not tucked into the ends. Easy fix.
3. If it's a rattle, first check all the crossbars. Tighten any that are loose with a Torx T30
4. If it's a very obvious horrendous rattle it will be a loose front section. This is an easy fix and the likeliest cause of overt rattling noise.
Retighten the self-tapping Aluminum bolts at the side and front. This is possibly all that's needed. If there is still play in the front section, replacing the side screw(s) with a riv-nut solves it 100%
If the noise is simply. "I put a roof rack on and now it's noisy" then remove the rack. They're not for everyone. Can't understand why I see so many non-functional racks on Defenders. Ladders to nowhere. Side boxes filled with air etc.
My rack is the quietest thing I put up there. A solid bit of kit that's needed the repair listed in step 4.
1. All bolts in the feet. Feet to rails and rack to feet must be torque checked after a certain number of miles. This eliminates the possibility of any macro bodily movement in the rack.
2. If the noise is a high pitch whistle it will be the rubber strips. Missing or cut short and not tucked into the ends. Easy fix.
3. If it's a rattle, first check all the crossbars. Tighten any that are loose with a Torx T30
4. If it's a very obvious horrendous rattle it will be a loose front section. This is an easy fix and the likeliest cause of overt rattling noise.
Retighten the self-tapping Aluminum bolts at the side and front. This is possibly all that's needed. If there is still play in the front section, replacing the side screw(s) with a riv-nut solves it 100%
If the noise is simply. "I put a roof rack on and now it's noisy" then remove the rack. They're not for everyone. Can't understand why I see so many non-functional racks on Defenders. Ladders to nowhere. Side boxes filled with air etc.
My rack is the quietest thing I put up there. A solid bit of kit that's needed the repair listed in step 4.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 27
Likes: 14
From: Boston, MA and Northwest Maine
Yeah, I went through 1-3 and everything is now snug and didn't do anything to reduce the noise. and though i was able to tighten a few of the fasteners, none were what I would describe as loose. Based on your previous posts (thanks again) and the level of noise, I'm leaning towards #4, the front section, as one of the fasteners may be problematic but before I start re-drilling holes, I figured I would have the dealer take a look since everything is under warranty, and was already planning on taking the Defender in for something else.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 27
Likes: 14
From: Boston, MA and Northwest Maine
Hello,
Just giving an update for those interested. Finally got around to taking the Defender to the dealer last week. In short, they readjusted the roof rack fasteners and the vibration noise went away. And based on my initial conversation with service guy, my understanding is that the cause of the vibration were the fasteners between the roof and the rack. And we did have a conversation about what could potentially cause the issue, noting of course that the expedition rack instructions do state to periodically check the fasteners. I didn't get a chance to speak with the same service guy when the work was finished, but the service manager said they adjusted some of the fasteners. My rack is under warranty, so no charge for the adjustment and I think only took them about an hour to fix. And at least with the service guy I was working with, this was the first time he had dealt with this particular vibration issue. They had dealt with some rack noise issues before, but apparently those customers had somehow hit the rack, or something hit the rack.
Just giving an update for those interested. Finally got around to taking the Defender to the dealer last week. In short, they readjusted the roof rack fasteners and the vibration noise went away. And based on my initial conversation with service guy, my understanding is that the cause of the vibration were the fasteners between the roof and the rack. And we did have a conversation about what could potentially cause the issue, noting of course that the expedition rack instructions do state to periodically check the fasteners. I didn't get a chance to speak with the same service guy when the work was finished, but the service manager said they adjusted some of the fasteners. My rack is under warranty, so no charge for the adjustment and I think only took them about an hour to fix. And at least with the service guy I was working with, this was the first time he had dealt with this particular vibration issue. They had dealt with some rack noise issues before, but apparently those customers had somehow hit the rack, or something hit the rack.