| maybeck |
Anyone know how to install a roof rack? I bought it from Delray Acura over the internet and the rack didn't come with instructions. Having a tough time geting Delray to send me the installation instructions.
I'm pretty handy, but by the looks of the top of the car, I don't see how this thing will attach - maybe best to take it to my dealer and buckup to the install costs. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
-Murph |
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| JoeV |
I installed mine on my 2007 2 weeks ago. The most difficult part of the job is cutting the current inserts.
Other than that it goes on without much trouble. |
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| 24Blacker11 |
I installed the roof rails.
It was not a difficult job. I cut the molding in place rather than removing it all the way down to the windshield. I used a dremel tool with rotary blade and the cut was pretty painless. Just make sure to protect the roof surface from scratches.
Good luck! |
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| dshedrick |
| I did mine last week and I removed the molding. If you decide to do this, I suggest using something thin to pop the clip down the windshield. I took a part of set of scissors and used the half (blade end) to release the clip. |
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| maybeck |
Thanks for all of your responses. I'm going to install it myself this weekend. Thanks...
-Murph |
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| zgaspen |
I purchased mine from acuraworld also, but mine did not come with instructions. and personally, even though I figured it out, the roof cross bars are total crap (unsecure) and the ski attachment is also pretty much garbage compared to thule or other aftermarket products. tim offered to warranty, but hey, that takes time to pack up and get to the post office....i plan on trashing and purchasing something better after the season is over.
just my 2cents. |
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| va2co2ca |
| Is there a way to remove the Roof Rail clips without the KTC Trim Tool? So far I haven't been able to find this tool for less than $40 shipped, and that seems excessive. Will a small screw driver do it? |
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| lester123 |
quote:
Originally posted by va2co2ca
Is there a way to remove the Roof Rail clips without the KTC Trim Tool? So far I haven't been able to find this tool for less than $40 shipped, and that seems excessive. Will a small screw driver do it?
If you have a buy a tool, the DIY job doesn't pay. How much would a dealer charge for the installation? |
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| uopercival |
I also cut the trim in place instead of ripping it off the windshield.
I noticed one post mentioned using a dremmel, that's a great idea.
I used a 32T Hacksaw with little problems, just prop it up with some protection and saw away. Just sum up all the measurements and make one cut, then when it's off the roof, cut the required pieces. |
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| va2co2ca |
quote:
Originally posted by uopercival
I also cut the trim in place instead of ripping it off the windshield.
I noticed one post mentioned using a dremmel, that's a great idea.
I used a 32T Hacksaw with little problems, just prop it up with some protection and saw away. Just sum up all the measurements and make one cut, then when it's off the roof, cut the required pieces.
Yes - I like that idea - I have a dremel as well, but was thinking a hack saw with a little piece of plywood and some cloth for paint protection would work fine. Did you use the KTC trim tool to remove the clips? I'm mostly concerned about removing the clips without breaking them. I'm hoping to find out before I even start the job! Thanks again! |
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| uopercival |
you won't need a tool if you don't completely remove the trim because it only gets difficult to remove once you get to the windshield (where you'll need the tool).
Just do as the instructions show, use a flat blade with a cloth and pry the trim above the rear hatch. It's easily removed. Once that's done, take your time and pull the trim up until it pops out of the next clip, use the screwdriver and cloth if needed. Just be careful not to pull too hard or you will leave a dent in the trim. Don't worry about breaking the clips, all mine managed to survive and you only need a few of them for the final install so you'll have extras.
Just take your time and when you cut the trim, put a couple of wraps of tape around either side of your cut line in case your hacksaw bounces around. |
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| va2co2ca |
| Took a couple of hours but all finished now. As stated earlier, the hardest part was the cutting. I think I measured 2 or 3 times before finally cutting and all was fine with the lengths. A couple of tips that helped me: It was not that difficult to cut the trim in place (rather than removing entirely down the windshield). Thanks for the tips on the trim tool - definitely not necessary if you leave the windshield section in place. Put a piece of cloth down under the trim before putting a thick piece of cardboard to cut against. Metal shavings can end up under the cardboard and they will scratch the paint a bit. I would also recommend installing the little spacers on the rough end of the trim before you make the next cut. It will help protect the paint if the trim should bounce a little when cutting. Well, there's my lessons learned, now I need to go buff out a couple of tiny scratches. :rolleyes: |
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| uopercival |
good to hear that you got it all done and that you benefitted from some of the tips.
On to the next project! |
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| parigeet |
Looks like there are some great tips on DIY roof rack install. I was a little sceptical because of the trim tool, but looks like that I might not even need it.
I'm definitely going to install the roof rails myself, but i'm debating about the crossbars? Do I really need the crossbars too, or just the roof rails are enough. I don't think i need to add any attachment like the ski or the bike attachement. I'm doing it for the looks and also occasionally use it to put some luggage on the roof.
Is it possible to secure luggage by using only the rails? or do I need the crossbars too? Also will the roof top get damaged if i put luggage directly onto it? Please advice? Would really appreciate it. |
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| SGM2008 |
For the ski or bike attachments (whether Acura or aftermarket), you will need the crossbars.
I would not put any luggage directly on the roof of the MDX. Anything of significant weight will most likely leave a dent and possibly lots of scratches as it shifts around.
The general roof surface is not a load bearing structure. The roof frame is (and that is what the rails are attached to). |
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| parigeet |
Thanks for your input. That is exactly what i was thinking. I went ahead and bought both the rails and the crossbars from ebay $320 - $80 (25% cashback). Now the fun part is going to try to install them myself.
Does anyone know of an aftermarket accessory for carrying & securing luggage on the crossbars? I don't feel like spending $400 on the OEM luggage basket that Acura sells. |
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| SGM2008 |
quote:
Originally posted by parigeet
Thanks for your input. That is exactly what i was thinking. I went ahead and bought both the rails and the crossbars from ebay $320 - $80 (25% cashback). Now the fun part is going to try to install them myself.
Does anyone know of an aftermarket accessory for carrying & securing luggage on the crossbars? I don't feel like spending $400 on the OEM luggage basket that Acura sells.
You have a bunch of options. There are the "bag" products from multiple vendors that can sit on the bars. (Some of them come with a piece of stiff plastic or you can use a piece of plywood to stiffen the bottom of the bag before you place them over the bars.) The Acura OEM luggage tray is way overpriced. I use a Rola roof mounted cargo carrier from etrailer (http://www.etrailer.com/c-ccr.htm) Make sure you get a suitable set of straps/net/tarp to tie everything down. This past July 4th, I had 4 large cargo boxes and spare gas can up there for a ~1,000 mile drive. Worked perfectly. |
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| kims MDX |
quote:
Originally posted by va2co2ca
.... It was not that difficult to cut the trim in place (rather than removing entirely down the windshield).
I agree that it is a waste of time to remove the trim all the way down the windshield in order to cut.
I loosened the trim from the rear forward, far enough to make the forward most (closest to windshield) cut first. THEN, you can lift of the rest of the trim and cut in comfort .... on your band saw or workbench with a Dremel or hach saw .... without worrying about scratching your roof with the remaining cuts.
If you read the directions carefully, and understand the point of these cuts (to expose mounting studs), then you can "under-measure" the cut-out portions and take even less chance that the roof rail mounting plates will not cover the cut ends of the molding.
Kim |
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