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Remove Sunroof Air Deflector?

1.9K views 12 replies 8 participants last post by  SSCANUCK  
#1 ·
Whenever I open my sunroof, the air deflector comes up above the roof line. No biggie, but geez the noise that thing makes if I have it open doing above 30mph sucks. Horrible at highway speeds and I have to talk really loud to anyone riding. It's riveted on, I see no reason I couldn't drill the rivets out and remove it all together. Is there a reason to even have that other than make noise and I'd assume make air come into the cab?
 
#2 ·
I'm sure it will be just as loud with the air pouring into the sunroof...maybe? Try pulling it down by hand and see how it sounds down first...
 
#3 ·
Sorry, I should have mentioned that. I've tried it and as soon as it pulls down it's super quiet almost like having the sunroof open. I think it'll be alot better and even look a little cleaner from the outside when it's open.

I'm just a little worried about drilling them out and the sunroof not working or something crazy like that. lol
 
#5 ·
Nope, no seal that I can see. It's basically just something that pops up when you open it. I'm pretty sure it'd be a good idea to plug the empty holes in case I accidently leave it open when it rains so water doesn't get inside the metal and rust it out.
 
#6 ·
Only problem is, next time you hold it down by hand, have a passenger in the back. It is very loud in the back I guess. Not that you ride back there too often, but you may want to consider that. Also, hold it down and look at the headliner. It will be flexing quit a bit. The air rushes straight under the headliner, pulling down on it. That is what creates the noise for the rear passenger. I don't know how much pressure the headliner can withstand, but I don't want you driving down the highway and having it rip down! Just take a look at those couple things for me before you do anything permanent. Take care.
 
#11 ·
It will be flexing quit a bit. The air rushes straight under the headliner, pulling down on it. That is what creates the noise for the rear passenger. I don't know how much pressure the headliner can withstand, but I don't want you driving down the highway and having it rip down! Take care.
You are right, this is a big concern. After doing extensive sound deadening/proofing in my SS, I found that the only thing holding up the headliner asides from the oh shit handles and the rubber trim that goes around the edges are 3 little 1x2.5" velcro tabs. Not enough the hold it up from highway speed buffeting IMO

:2cents:
 
#7 ·
You really need it. At certain speeds it is suppose to decrease buffeting.

That was a common issue in the old days with add on sun roofs. The air would come in until the cabin pressure increased and it would release at a certain point over and over creating the buffeting. Cracking the windows made it go away.

Dropping the deflector only works at low speed.

I really bet GM has put a little work into and and improving it would not be that easy as you think.
 
#13 ·
:iamwithstupid:
 
#9 ·
I was on the interstate and see the buffeting effect. To me, I don't mind that too much because at least I can still talk to the passanger without yelling. I think I'll have someone sit back there tonight with it open and see how they like it. I'd just like to have be able to talk normally when it's open, even if I have to shut the sunroof when on the interstate.

I'm going to have to look into the headliner next time I pull it down and see what it's doing, VERY good point though. I'll look into it. I hate drilling on a 3 week old vehicle, but maybe I can figure something out to fix it and not be a permanent fix...

Thanks for the advice!
 
#10 ·
Just wondering if you have the sunroof open all the way when you are hearing this noise? IMO the "sweet spot" is about 3/4 way open. I get virtually no noise from the roof.

The purpose of the deflector is to decrease or eliminate buffeting at speed. I suppose you could just use a dremel or some other rotary tool with a cutoff disc to remove the deflector. If you get buffeting (very likely) s simple trick is to crack one or both of the rear windows a bit which should eliminate the noise.

Have you thought about mounting a permanent deflector from either GM parts or autoventshade? It seems like you are most concerned with a streeamlined look on the roof, but it may be an option for you.