Crossbars - quick help!

[Quetico]

I have the stock crossbars that came with my TE. I took them off a few weeks ago to try some Yak bars, and now I want to re-install the stock bars. My questions/issues are:

1. There is a longer bar and a shorter bar. Does the shorter bar go in the front? They are not marked front/rear, just left/right.

2. The short bar goes in fine, but when I line up the longer bar, it appears to be about half an inch too long. Am I supposed to pull the side rail back enough to pry it into the track? Looks possible but it would be tight!

They sure came off easy, so I wasnt expecting this much trouble putting them back on... Trying to get my Thule box up top for the weekend.

:redbrick:

 

[NHinAK]

I don't recall the bars being different lengths...

I've had my bars off three times with no issues. You do know that the bars have an adjustment on the drivers side for overall width right?

 

[Quetico]

You do know that the bars have an adjustment on the drivers side for overall width right?

Yep, the one is definitely a bit longer than the other. And yes, I know that they have that adjustment for length as well. That knob is loose and it's as short as it goes. I'm actually thinking about just cutting the longer one down with a mitre saw.

It's really strange, they were on there when I bought the truck, and came off really easily. And now it won't go back on. I don't get it. I'm wondering if the Yakima set-up damaged the side rails somehow(?), but I don't see how that could happen either. I've never had a load up there.

The truck's going back for the first service next week, so I'll take the bars back with me and have them try the install, or see if something is wrong. Doesn't help me out for this weekend though.

 

[NHinAK]

That sucks, sorry bro! On a related note, what kind of box do you have and do you have pictures? We're thinking about getting one.

 

[Intruder]

It's been a while since I've had the factory TE rails and crossbars on, but IIRC the side rails are slightly farther apart at the rear of the truck. I want to say that to get the longer crossbar on I had to move the mounting points on the side rails as far back as possible then attach the crossbar and slide it forward.

 

[cbielat]

If you haven't figured it out yet, check the ends of the cross bars. I remember seeing either "front/back and arrow" markings on the ends of mine when loading my kayaks last weekend.

 

[FatDave]

You're right, the TE side rails are not parallel. They're wider in the back. Hence, the crossbars came out at different lengths.

The crossbars are adjustable, via the knobs -- one on each crossbar.

Loosen the crossbar knobs, install the crossbars with the side rail nuts toward the front, then tighten everything up.

Happy trails!

:banana:

 

[GabrielM]

If you haven't figured it out yet, check the ends of the cross bars. I remember seeing either "front/back and arrow" markings on the ends of mine when loading my kayaks last weekend.

Is there such a Front and Back with Arrow on the crossbars?

Mine have both Front on it and have the same length. I do have issue when trying to move the rear crossbar toward the rear as it push on the side rails (the top knob is removed).

 

[cbielat]

Is there such a Front and Back with Arrow on the crossbars?

Mine have both Front on it and have the same length. I do have issue when trying to move the rear crossbar toward the rear as it push on the side rails (the top knob is removed).

I know there are arrows on there and they should face forward. You may just need to loosen the stuck area. Try some WD40 and wiggle it around. It should free it some to move. There is also a lip inside the ends that slide into the side rails. Maybe that portion is off causing the difficulty in movement. Also with that top knob removed, that should enable the cross bar to move from side to side.

 

[GabrielM]

I know there are arrows on there and they should face forward. You may just need to loosen the stuck area. Try some WD40 and wiggle it around. It should free it some to move. There is also a lip inside the ends that slide into the side rails. Maybe that portion is off causing the difficulty in movement. Also with that top knob removed, that should enable the cross bar to move from side to side.

I think I didn't made myself clear enough (you know, French Canadian typing in English...)

- I have a 2010 Trail Edition
- The mounts move freely in the slots
- Both crossbar have an Arrow and Front on it
- Both crossbar have the same lenght
- When moving the rear crossbar toward the rear, the side rails are getting closer, the crossbar is too long at about 1/4 before reaching the rear end. It's pushed the side rails to the outside, even twisting both side rails. Also the threaded hole in the cross bar doesn't align anymore with the slot hole in the cross bar mount for the tighten knob.
- I've found that they exist 2 part numbers for the crossbar: PT278-89100 and PT278-89102, which I think the later(PT278-89102) is for the Trail Edition.

My question was: Does the Trail Edition cross bars have different length(front to rear)?

 

[cbielat]

I think I didn't made myself clear enough (you know, French Canadian typing in English...)

- I have a 2010 Trail Edition
- The mounts move freely in the slots
- Both crossbar have an Arrow and Front on it
- Both crossbar have the same lenght
- When moving the rear crossbar toward the rear, the side rails are getting closer, the crossbar is too long at about 1/4 before reaching the rear end. It's pushed the side rails to the outside, even twisting both side rails. Also the threaded hole in the cross bar doesn't align anymore with the slot hole in the cross bar mount for the tighten knob.
- I've found that they exist 2 part numbers for the crossbar: PT278-89100 and PT278-89102, which I think the later(PT278-89102) is for the Trail Edition.

My question was: Does the Trail Edition cross bars have different length(front to rear)?

I don't know why it's giving you issues. Sounds like something is wrong with the side rails. It's no loner than the other trims.