Sunroof deflector options?

CounterMeasure · June 6, 2015

When my sunroof glass is open, the little mesh screen makes a ton of noise at anything over 25mph. They should have made it out of a solid material to cut down on noise through the mesh. Another case of "well done, GM".

That said, I've been trying to find a sunroof deflector, but all of them I've come across expect the roof antenna to be much further away. For example, I bought the "custom fit" Weather tech one, and it wasn't even close to fitting. There's maybe 1/2inch between the antenna and the sunroof.

Anyone know of that will fit? I didn't see one on the GM accessories list. I could modify one to fit, such as cutting out an opening for the antenna, but I have more fun projects that need my time.

Ten7 · June 8, 2015

Mine is kind of loud too at highway speed and that stupid net deflector thing likes to collect bugs in it. Is there a way to disable it from popping up? I havent really looked at it much. If you pull it down it creates a bad wind buffeting noise at higher speeds but cracking the rear windows seems to eliminate that.

Dunc · June 8, 2015

When my sunroof glass is open, the little mesh screen makes a ton of noise at anything over 25mph. They should have made it out of a solid material to cut down on noise through the mesh. Another case of "well done, GM".

That said, I've been trying to find a sunroof deflector, but all of them I've come across expect the roof antenna to be much further away. For example, I bought the "custom fit" Weather tech one, and it wasn't even close to fitting. There's maybe 1/2inch between the antenna and the sunroof.

Anyone know of that will fit? I didn't see one on the GM accessories list. I could modify one to fit, such as cutting out an opening for the antenna, but I have more fun projects that need my time.

I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking this. First time I opened my sunroof I was like, "wtf that is loud as hell." An ex-gf had a Mazda3 with a solid angled deflector. It was much quieter than this mesh one. I'm half tempted to fabricate one myself really. I'm thinking about removing the stock deflector and using the pivoting arms but replacing the material with a solid angled deflector like her Mazda3. I would love to have the sunroof open a lot more, but it's just too damn noisy.

Cravenfan · June 8, 2015

Agree 100%, my ol' Avalanche had a nice deflector on it...this one is a bug collector in a big way and noisy. Weird design.

Sierra Matt · June 15, 2015

I agree 100%! Very noisy. What would happen if it was removed? Whats the purpose if the only thing it does is make a lot of wind noise and catches bug?

EChavez · June 15, 2015

I agree 100%! Very noisy. What would happen if it was removed? Whats the purpose if the only thing it does is make a lot of wind noise and catches bug?

Make a horrible helicopter noise. Go ahead and hold the deflector down while driving & you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.

TJay74 · June 15, 2015

It stops the buffeting that enters the cab from when the sunroof is open.

Jackseric · June 17, 2015

I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking this. First time I opened my sunroof I was like, "wtf that is loud as hell." An ex-gf had a Mazda3 with a solid angled deflector. It was much quieter than this mesh one. I'm half tempted to fabricate one myself really. I'm thinking about removing the stock deflector and using the pivoting arms but replacing the material with a solid angled deflector like her Mazda3. I would love to have the sunroof open a lot more, but it's just too damn noisy.

I'd love to see a picture of that to get an idea of what you're talking about.

ember1205 · June 18, 2015

Couldn't you apply some sort of epoxy or resin that would fill in the holes of the mesh to create a solid material and also stiffen it up?

Dunc · June 18, 2015

That would work I think, but I'd also want to lower it a bit to reduce it's exposure to wind and also have it at a shallower angle so the wind more easily "glides" over it.

I'd love to see a picture of that to get an idea of what you're talking about.

Here are some generic pictures from google. They aren't the most clear, but might give a general idea. The deflector is shorter than ours and is at a shallower angle. The height would be ok, because I've pulled mine down while driving to just barely stick above the roof line and had no buffeting. The Mazda3 one is on a spring loaded system like ours, it's jus that the window pushes down on the connecting rails to lower the deflector when closed.

Ignore the text in the picture referencing silicone. I did not add this.

ember1205 · June 18, 2015

Before changing the size or angle of the deflector, you should consider a way to temporarily reposition it (zip ties or something?) and then drive around at a variety of different speeds to see what happens. Also, you could try and put plastic wrap or foil around it to make it "solid". Make sure that the buffeting doesn't appear at -any- speed as opposed to the one test you did at -one- speed.

Dunc · June 18, 2015

Before changing the size or angle of the deflector, you should consider a way to temporarily reposition it (zip ties or something?) and then drive around at a variety of different speeds to see what happens. Also, you could try and put plastic wrap or foil around it to make it "solid". Make sure that the buffeting doesn't appear at -any- speed as opposed to the one test you did at -one- speed.

The test I did for height was from 0-80mph, but primarily between 35-75. I will definitely test the angle, but the stock height is overkill. With the deflector pulled all the way down there was no buffeting at 55+. It only came back around 45-55. During the test I had the deflector maybe 1" above the roofline compared to the 3" normal height (just throwing random numbers out there to illustrate that the deflector was just barely over the roofline.) Even with the mesh, the noise reduction at the height I tested was dramatic so this may just be a simple as restricting the deflector from raising all the way.

Jackseric · June 18, 2015

Before changing the size or angle of the deflector, you should consider a way to temporarily reposition it (zip ties or something?) and then drive around at a variety of different speeds to see what happens. Also, you could try and put plastic wrap or foil around it to make it "solid". Make sure that the buffeting doesn't appear at -any- speed as opposed to the one test you did at -one- speed.

I would second this idea before making anything permanent. Something you may or may not have thought about: I would do what you're doing and then hit the freeway/interstate. Try driving in the blast zone of a couple semi-trucks/18 wheelers. That should help you wee what it'll do in the ever dreaded cross-wind.

Really, I'd bet the angle of that Mazda's roof line probably has as much to do with the design as being solid/open, and how tall it sits. I'm amazed that you get no buffeting at 55+, because I get it at all speeds 35+. Did you possibly level or lift your truck? Mine is sitting stock height.

Dunc · June 18, 2015

I would second this idea before making anything permanent. Something you may or may not have thought about: I would do what you're doing and then hit the freeway/interstate. Try driving in the blast zone of a couple semi-trucks/18 wheelers. That should help you wee what it'll do in the ever dreaded cross-wind.

Really, I'd bet the angle of that Mazda's roof line probably has as much to do with the design as being solid/open, and how tall it sits. I'm amazed that you get no buffeting at 55+, because I get it at all speeds 35+. Did you possibly level or lift your truck? Mine is sitting stock height.

I haven't changed the stance of the truck at all. I'll test it again on my way home from work and start writing down notes on what happens and when to be more exact about this. I do remember being shocked about the no buffeting when I was at 55+. I was like, "hell yeah I'll just remove the deflector." Then I slowed to 45ish and it started thumping horribly until I was under 20-25.