Hood deflector recommendations?

[Gullzway]

Bug deflector is a must if your on the road a lot, I already repaired 3 "dings" on my front windshield, haven't had any since installing the smoke deflector

What do you mean by "dings?"
Did your windshield chip or crack?

Isn't that deflector flat, not seeing how that deflects any wind up and over the windshield. Just had a rock chip mine today.

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[altomav]

I've got a new in box OEM Ford Lund aeroskin if anyone is interested. $60. I decided not to install. Pick up only.

 

[Gullzway]

I wasn't going to get one, but then had a rock hit my windshield today and crack it. While I was at the dealer, removing a bolt from my tire from this morning as well, they had the VNZ6Z-16C900-C in stock that seems discontinued online. Used $89 in Ford points and just installed it myself.
If it helps at all with rocks/bugs I'll be happy. Doesn't look too bad, but would prefer it in Velocity Blue.

 

[Enderet]

I wasn't going to get one, but then had a rock hit my windshield today and crack it. While I was at the dealer, removing a bolt from my tire from this morning as well, they had the VNZ6Z-16C900-C in stock that seems discontinued online. Used $89 in Ford points and just installed it myself.
If it helps at all with rocks/bugs I'll be happy. Doesn't look too bad.

Go test it out and see if you get hood flutter. In my case, I had never experienced any until I put that same hood deflector on. Happens at 60-70+ mph. Still thinking about taking it off and just going with the clear film they sell.

Edit - It looks great by the way! I still love how it looks on mine.

 

[wjg]

Go test it out and see if you get hood flutter. In my case, I had never experienced any until I put that same hood deflector on. Happens at 60-70+ mph. Still thinking about taking it off and just going with the clear film they sell.

Edit - It looks great by the way! I still love how it looks on mine.

Fix the hood flutter and keep it. Many fixes reported on this site.

 

[Enderet]

Fix the hood flutter and keep it. Many fixes reported on this site.

So I went and finally caught up through the forums to see what people reported on this issue... because last time I checked I had not seen anything conclusive as to how to solve this problem.

The majority of "fixes" that I have seen on this forum are more suggestions, some are also unreasonable. Like replace the aluminum hood with a steel hood. Right. Not going to do that.

Another says buy sound deadining mat to make the hood heavier. Yeah, shouldnt have to do that for some stupid bug deflector. More work and money than the deflector itself. The one guy in forums that actually bought it and used it says he cant tell if there is a difference.

Another "fix" is buy the aftermarket hood struts that cost $140 , to SEE if it maybe helps.
https://www.shopmrt.com/2022-Ford-Maverick-No-Drill-Hood-Struts-80K150-p/80k150.htm

Another fix is go out to autozone and buy a 1/4" fuel line, but that didnt make the flutter go away entirely for the other Mav owner. (this is a fix ford recommends!)

Another "fix" take it to the dealership and get the hinges tightened... but for the one owner that reported this, the issue still didnt go away.

Some say, and Ford says, just adjust the rubber struts/stoppers/grommets at the front of the hood... but I have done that, and others have done it, and the flutter has not gone away. Some even took it to the dealer to have the little rubber stoppers adjusted, and it still didnt make it go away.


The only reported fixes have been, take off the matte deflector (that some speculate was removed from Ford's website because of these issues), or buy something like this:

Or ghetto it up by buying some garage wall protector and do something like this (forum member said it made a big difference, but not that it fixed it entirely):

If I missed another fix, then someone let me know. Anyway, figured Id summarize what I found in the forums when searching for a fix for the hood flutter, primarily noted by owners of the textured hood deflector.

EDIT - Found this video, showing that although this fix did not work for the other person here in the forum, it seems to have worked for this man (word of caution... someone in the comments asked him if he wasnt worried about the hood paint getting scratched, and that seems like a legitimate concern):

 

[wjg]

So I went and finally caught up through the forums to see what people reported on this issue... because last time I checked I had not seen anything conclusive as to how to solve this problem.

The majority of "fixes" that I have seen on this forum are more suggestions, some are also unreasonable. Like replace the aluminum hood with a steel hood. Right. Not going to do that.

Another says buy sound deadining mat to make the hood heavier. Yeah, shouldnt have to do that for some stupid bug deflector. More work and money than the deflector itself. The one guy in forums that actually bought it and used it says he cant tell if there is a difference.

Another "fix" is buy the aftermarket hood struts that cost $140 , to SEE if it maybe helps.
https://www.shopmrt.com/2022-Ford-Maverick-No-Drill-Hood-Struts-80K150-p/80k150.htm

Another fix is go out to autozone and buy a 1/4" fuel line, but that didnt make the flutter go away entirely for the other Mav owner. (this is a fix ford recommends!)

Another "fix" take it to the dealership and get the hinges tightened... but for the one owner that reported this, the issue still didnt go away.

Some say, and Ford says, just adjust the rubber struts/stoppers/grommets at the front of the hood... but I have done that, and others have done it, and the flutter has not gone away. Some even took it to the dealer to have the little rubber stoppers adjusted, and it still didnt make it go away.


The only reported fixes have been, take off the matte deflector (that some speculate was removed from Ford's website because of these issues), or buy something like this:

Or ghetto it up by buying some garage wall protector and do something like this (forum member said it made a big difference, but not that it fixed it entirely):

If I missed another fix, then someone let me know. Anyway, figured Id summarize what I found in the forums when searching for a fix for the hood flutter, primarily noted by owners of the textured hood deflector.

Also

I can't find the original post about the bumper stops, but it seemed like they said it was 100% fix.
Also Rodog800 , who used the kilmat said he tested at 75-85 mph and flutter was gone.
If it isn't worth investing any time or money to try to fix it to you - Don't.

 

[Enderet]

Also

I can't find the original post about the bumper stops, but it seemed like they said it was 100% fix.
Also Rodog800 , who used the kilmat said he tested at 75-85 mph and flutter was gone.
If it isn't worth investing any time or money to try to fix it to you - Don't.

Thanks!

 

[Gullzway]

Go test it out and see if you get hood flutter. In my case, I had never experienced any until I put that same hood deflector on. Happens at 60-70+ mph. Still thinking about taking it off and just going with the clear film they sell.

Edit - It looks great by the way! I still love how it looks on mine.

Definitely has Hood flutter now at 65-ish on the highway. I'll try some of the fixes mentioned above. At least maybe it'll keep me from having another rock chip my window again in 10 days.

Edit: The Kilmat didn't work, probably not thick enough.
Bought 4ft. of 1/2" heater hose for $8 at AutoZone. Split it lengthwise and put it over the rear hood seal.
Almost removed all the flutter at highway speed. Still a little but it's in the middle of the hood, more like flexing. Could have been there before and I didn't notice.

 

[wjg]

Thanks!

I found the post on bumper stops.

 

[Gullzway]

I found the post on bumper stops.

What I don't like about that idea is all the force is being pushed up on the hood at the very edges, instead of evenly liked the piece of hose does.
It may also lift the hood above the seal defeating it's purpose.

 

[wjg]

What I don't like about that idea is all the force is being pushed up on the hood at the very edges, instead of evenly liked the piece of hose does.
It may also lift the hood above the seal defeating it's purpose.

I had the same thought, just listing all the different reports of fixes. So far I think your 1/2 heater hose idea makes the most sense. It would be firmer than the 1/2 soft rubber insulation mentioned above. From the picture you posted it looks good on.

Could you post what exact hose you bought?

 

[Gullzway]

I had the same thought, just listing all the different reports of fixes. So far I think your 1/2 heater hose idea makes the most sense. It would be firmer than the 1/2 soft rubber insulation mentioned above. From the picture you posted it looks good on.

Could you post what exact hose you bought?

It was at Autozone but same as this at Advanced. 1/2" I.D. Bulk heater hose.

Bulk Standard Heater Hose 1/2" I.D. (12 inches) CQ1725: Advance Auto Parts

 

[DCP]

I added the Lund Aeroskin hood deflector today. It looks good but I've not checked for the hood flutter yet. Hopefully it will not be there.

 

[testa422]

I had the same thought, just listing all the different reports of fixes. So far I think your 1/2 heater hose idea makes the most sense. It would be firmer than the 1/2 soft rubber insulation mentioned above. From the picture you posted it looks good on.

Could you post what exact hose you bought?

I did the hose “mod” today and the hood shake is completely gone!

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