Installed OEM Roof Rack... HELP!

Rockhead · Post by **Rockhead** » Thu Apr 03, 2003 4:17 pm

My '02 CC had no roof rack until earlier today. I ordered one from the dealer and installed it myself. I screwed up a couple of things and would love to hear the opinions of the group before I go any further.

First of all, I had a hell of a time getting the rubber compression nuts to remain inside the roof panel while tightening them. Particularly the rears. I figured out that I had to apply alot of weight to the rack while tightening in order for them to seat properly. Unfortunately, I was using a very powerful cordless drill at this point, having cramped both forearms by repeated tightening/loosening. I split one of the compression nuts. It'll hold for now, but I'll need to tend to it before I load the rack up with anything heavy. Now, I could get another rubber nut and try again. Or (what I'm thinking) get some sort of blind nut and feed it through the hole, or even drop the headliner just enough to get a real nut underneath. Any thoughts?

And, of course, any DIY roof rack installation would not be complete without drilling a hole through the headliner. That's right.

On my last friggin' hole, the bit went through. Yeah, I know. I should have used a drill stop. The hole isn't that bad despite the 1/2" bit I was using, and I doubt it'll get any worse. Anyone have any tips on making it less noticable?

All in all, a nice looking rack at a very decent price (about $120). Took about 1.5 hours to install, including tedious measuring. It will definately see use as a ladder rack, cargo holder, etc. Any input would be appreciated.

Post by **HenryJ** » Thu Apr 03, 2003 6:03 pm

Did you use the double stick adhesive tape?

Somebody here recomended using a nut and washer to compress the aluminum nutsert inserts, in place of the tool.

How about using the nutserts?

Be sure to use some sealer on the nutsert and the threads. I'd also use the double stick tape to help seal the dirt and water from underneath it.

barch97 · Post by **barch97** » Thu Apr 03, 2003 6:24 pm

How much was the dealer going to charge for installation and where's the pics?

Rockhead · Post by **Rockhead** » Thu Apr 03, 2003 8:11 pm

HenryJ wrote:Did you use the double stick adhesive tape?

Somebody here recomended using a nut and washer to compress the aluminum nutsert inserts, in place of the tool.

How about using the nutserts?

Be sure to use some sealer on the nutsert and the threads. I'd also use the double stick tape to help seal the dirt and water from underneath it.

Didn't use any tape. The four mounting points use plastic trays which match the roof contour. The trays are not attached to the rack... they just sit underneath. Tape wouldn't have worked. I've heard of the Nutserts, but the rubber nuts that came with the rack looked decent enough. Actually, I think they would have been fine if I didn't "overwork" one of them. I might try to find an extra one or two just to have on hand.

Rockhead · Post by **Rockhead** » Thu Apr 03, 2003 8:15 pm

barch97 wrote:How much was the dealer going to charge for installation and where's the pics?

I never asked what they would have charged. I figure at least an hour at the going rate of $60/per. Plus, drop-off the truck, get a ride to work, get a ride back, etc. A bit too much for a simple bolt-on (Although, I did manage to screw it up!

)

Honestly, I'm happy with the rack. It's solid and looks great. I have no pics yet since I lack a digital camera, but I'll post some as soon as I get a chance.

Post by **HenryJ** » Thu Apr 03, 2003 8:24 pm

Rockhead wrote:Didn't use any tape. The four mounting points use plastic trays which match the roof contour. The trays are not attached to the rack... they just sit underneath. Tape wouldn't have worked. I've heard of the Nutserts, but the rubber nuts that came with the rack looked decent enough. Actually, I think they would have been fine if I didn't "overwork" one of them. I might try to find an extra one or two just to have on hand.

Got'cha. I'm with what rack you're using...now, sorry for my confusion

Any hardware store will have the rubber inserts. Seems like I paid about $1 ea.

mi2kga · Post by **mi2kga** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 7:35 pm

my rack did not fit right, there is a little space between the 4 "feet" and the roof line. It seems as if the contour is not right. also i believe gm put my 2 crossbars on backwards because this thing whistles like a biotche...

kent

Conman · Post by **Conman** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 7:51 pm

mi2kga wrote:my rack did not fit right, there is a little space between the 4 "feet" and the roof line. It seems as if the contour is not right. also i believe gm put my 2 crossbars on backwards because this thing whistles like a biotche...

kent

My ZR5 roof rack whistles also. The thicker part of the crossbars are forward I think. I think it whistles more than a blazer(same rack just not as long), because it sits so close to the front of the roof and because it's right above us, it sound louder. It's only loud for me when it's really windy outside. It's normally quiet for me even when at highway speeds.

Cheers,

Con

Dragonmaster · Post by **Dragonmaster** » Tue Jun 03, 2003 9:43 am

FYI - There was a dealer bulletin about this last year that said just to put the front crossbar further back and it would solve the whistle.

MikeyZR5 · Post by **MikeyZR5** » Tue Jun 03, 2003 9:51 am

I used to have the Frontier Crew Cab and there was a little "ramp" in front of the Roof Rack..would something like that be beneficial for those of us who have roof racks?

Dragonmaster · Post by **Dragonmaster** » Tue Jun 03, 2003 12:20 pm

That woudl probably work. I think Thule makes something like that that you can attach to the front of roof racks to deflect the air.

NTXCrew · Post by **NTXCrew** » Tue Jun 03, 2003 3:30 pm

How much weight are these racks supposed to support?

Dragonmaster · Post by **Dragonmaster** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 7:16 am

Aren't they only good for 175 lbs or something like that. It should be in your owners manual.

dhawke · Post by **dhawke** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 8:49 am

I just installed an aftermarket roof rack to my CC this weekend. Took my time...it went flawlessly. Still can't believe I drilled holes in my roof

I took the precaution of buying a drill stop set. Glad I did. When the bit pops through, it really POPs through the sheet metal!

I am a little concerned about the wax dipped scews they sent with the rack. How difficult is it to drop the head liner enough so that I can get a dab of silicon sealant on the bottom side of the screws?

Also, a side note. I mounted my rack a little further back on the roof instead of centering it. It's extremely quiet. I can't hear anything above the low growl of my BFG AT's. My experience with roof rack is this. If the cross bars have an open channel, cover it with something. I drive the wife's Vue to Cleveland one weekend with the bikes on top and the cross bars open on top, HOLY CRAP! The rack SCREAMED all the way there and back! Capped off the open channel ther next day, not a peep since then. For what it's worth....

Opus · Post by **Opus** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 10:12 am

I just installed an OEM rack that I bought off a totaled Blazer. The rack was about 15 inches too long between the front and rear feet. I cut 7.5 inches off of each end of each rail. It worked great. I got the rubber well nuts at a hardware store. The hardest part was getting the nerve to drill 8 holes in my roof!!!!

And, yes, I managed to go through the headliner on two holes (the two furthest to the rear on either side).

I have solved this though. I got a couple of the pop-in trim buttons (plastic). There are already a couple of them along the back edge of the headliner. The two I added are right behind the grab rails on either side. It looks fine.

Ran it through the carwash a couple of times. And, left it sitting in the rain all day yesterday. No leaks.

a2b · Post by **a2b** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 11:47 am

come on people. where are the pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dhawke · Post by **dhawke** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 12:00 pm

As soon as it stops raining and I can wash the truck! It's just embarassingly dirty right now. Not even a respectable "Hey, I've been off-roading" kinda' dirty either. My truck looks like a woman owns it!

dhawke · Post by **dhawke** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 6:09 pm

Okay! I have pics. How do I post them here?

jarhead · Post by **jarhead** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 5:13 pm

Instructions on posting pics are in the info forum