Gobi wind fairing allen bolt problem during install –*had to cut 2 off

[jameygraham]

Just wanted to share an issue I had while installing the wind fairing on my Gobi rack. Initial install went fine but during the step where you must remove the wind fairing to place the clear tape on the roof of the 4Runner to protect the paint, 2 of the 3 allen bolts cottecting the wind fairing to the rack got stuck. As I unscrewed them, something happened where they started to get harder and harder to unscrew. Eventually, both allen bolts striped because the nut was completely stuck. I tried drilling one of them out but failed and ended up having to use a saw to cut the bolt. I am now using a standard –*not allen – bolt as replacements when I put the fairing back on.

Anyone else have this problem? Honestly, I am wondering why Gobi is using an allen bolt to begin with given the risk of striping ...

 

[EL CID]

I had the exact same problem on the same bolt, but it was definitely because as I was installing i felt it cross threading but didn't stop. Once I did it was too late, and I had to cut it off. All of the others, and also the new ones, went in like butter.

 

[hayde89]

I did the exact same thing....

 

[Sig_Fan_55]

Add me to the list. Stainless steel bolts tend to crack and seize more often so I went back and used anti seize on all the bolts to hopefully prevent others from doing the same thing.


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[Simpleman74]

No issues on the fairing but i had a bolt crossthread on the passenger side front foot

 

[nglayton]

the step where you must remove the wind fairing to place the clear tape on the roof of the 4Runner to protect the paint,

How does putting tape on protect the paint? Seems to me the tape will do just as much damage to paint as the rubber part you are installing. I'm probably completely wrong on this....but if the rack is bolted on securely with no movement, it shouldn't "damage" anything.

Mine didn't come with "tape", I wouldn't have put it on anyway. Just one more thing to gunk up and get weathered over time.

Anyone else have this problem? Honestly, I am wondering why Gobi is using an allen bolt to begin with given the risk of striping ...

I had no issues with the supplied hardware. I don't remember them being allen head, but they are probably using them for the clean rounded look they provide. Also perhaps a bit of security, most people casually wanting to steal parts off your rack won't have the proper tools. Of course anyone serious about getting the parts will be prepared, so it's probably all about the looks.