OEM Roof Top Rack Cross Bar Removal

[scottdm]

There were plastic plugs in the center position. I just reinstalled the bolts in the places where my cross bars were sitting. It's on my to do list to find some plugs so I don't lose the bolts.

My Expy came without the cross bars and has the plastic plugs in all of the bolt holes. The OEM plugs pop out way too easily. I find that my plugs pop out even from dragging a towel over them while drying the vehicle.

 

[nate6966]

My Expy came without the cross bars and has the plastic plugs in all of the bolt holes. The OEM plugs pop out way too easily. I find that my plugs pop out even from dragging a towel over them while drying the vehicle.

Ditto on the four plastic ones that I have. They come out so easily. I'd like to find some rubber ones that stay better.

 

[Gumby]

Where would I get those? I don't think I have them.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

They weren't in a baggy in the glove box? I don't have the roof rack, so I just have the plastic plugs / screws. But I would imagine it should come with those when you get the rack from the factory?

 

[aggiegrad05]

If I have plugs I don't know it. I just reinserted the bolts when I removed the bars. I figure I'm not going to misplace the bars and have a much better shot at not misplacing the bolts if they're still attached to the vehicle.

 

[Plati]

How about some silicone?

 

[scottdm]

How about some silicone?

I think the idea is to be able to remove whatever plugs the bolts holes & protects the threads at a future date if the cross bars need to be installed. Silicone would certainly protect the threads in the bolt holes, but wouldn't be easily removable.

 

[doktoroktobor]

If I have plugs I don't know it. I just reinserted the bolts when I removed the bars. I figure I'm not going to misplace the bars and have a much better shot at not misplacing the bolts if they're still attached to the vehicle.

I did the same as you, except that I cross-threaded one and couldn't get it in all the way, and it was too hot out for me to try to fix it so it's staying that way for now.

So if memory serves there are a total of 3 positions for cross bars, diagramatically from above, something like this


front
x x


x x

x x
back

Where each x is a position with 2 threaded inserts where a pair of bolts can go.

My car came with the fore and aft crossbars installed with black torx shoulder bolts, and in the middle unused positions there were these nice silvery torx shoulder bolts.

I'd rather get a few more of those silvery ones for all the now unused locations.

[I'll try to remember to take and post some pics this weekend]