Roof Rails ..retro Fit.

[Steve S.]

A jolly good morning to one and all,

Well I've managed to get hold of a set of roof rails off e-bay at a very good price..

[Ivor_E_Tower]

One day I am going to get organised and crate a scratch-pad into which I post links to common questions ......

 

There are at least 2 threads somewhere on this forum covering the fitting of roof-rails. The headlining needs to be removed, which also means loosening or removing most of the interior side trim panels. You will need to drill the roof and the rubber strips out; choose a clearance drill for the bolts that secure the rails, and you may want to seal the insides of the bolts with silicone sealant to asssist in keeping the rain out too. Re-fitting trim is the reverse of removal.

 

It is supposed to be an easy job, just time-consuming. Use a sharp drill suitable for metal; protect the area where you are going to drill with masking tape to minimise "wander" and to reduce damage if the drill should slip.

[Steve S.]

Dear "Ivor"

Thanks for for your help with this.I did see those posts and noted especially the reference to the cut outs and template.I'm just a bit wary of cutting the gutter strip without a definitive reference, obviously if you make a cock up your bug..red so to speak! I notice in one of your recent posts on this subject to "Twigglett" you mentioned "with photographs"(May 11, 2005) can you elaborate?

I'm sure as I said I saw a reference to the holes already being drilled but blanked off but I can't find that.Does it ring a bell with you? Anyway as always, all help is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Steve S.

[Guest spanner137]

on the mk1 there is blanking plates so you dont have to drill the roof, it is possible to fit them without removing headcloth on mk 1 BUT TRICKY,as for cutting rubber i did it with sidecutters and a stanley knive, if you measure the size of the block where the stud petrudes from and work from there ,you have room for small mistakes,cut all three then try it

[Steve S.]

Dear Spanner137,

This is indeed useful to know, I have a 1997 Ultima so hopefully the holes are already there. I'm intrigued with the non -removal of the headliner,does it involve a mouse- weilding spanner? Seriously please enlighten me as to the method involved it sounds to good to be true though it must save a lot of pratting about!

cheers,

Steve S.

[Guest spanner137]

gently pull head cloth down enough to get socket with universal coupling on slacken of blanking plates and tighten up roof rails

[Guest eddo66]

:( Hi first time I have replied to the forum,I have a 1998 2.3si and I fitted the rails a few months ago.If you remove the side panels and seat belt mountings .This enables you to loosen of the headlining.

On the forum somewhere it says to do 1 side at a time,this I would recommend .

I did have the guide for cutting the roof gutters but like all things it has been thrown out.

If you use a scalpel or stanley trim of the rubber the exact size as the studs which lower into the roof then you wont have a problem.Honestly I was really Sh***ing myself cutting the roof but it was easy. Hope this is of help to you.Just a thought I bought the rails from Ebay user name draco2700 if you e-mail him he may have fitting instructions.

Hope this is of help.

Best of luck Eddo

[Steve S.]

Thanks to everybody who's helped with this.We're off on holiday to the US tomorrow so its a job I'll tackle when I get back. It also means that there'll be a heatwave in this country.. enjoy!

Steve S.