Problem Installing ARB roof rack

[KpaxFAQ]

So I’m installing the mounting kit for my new rack and a whole lot doesn’t seem right. Look how crooked it is and the bracket makes contact with paint of roof. I went to put the other side on and it seems worse almost like the feet of the bracket aren’t bent enough. It also contacts paint on roof and is so far off I can’t really get a screw in.

Anyone else encounter this? Kit is labeled for 4-runner 2010+ so I know I have the right one. I’m kind of pissed it marked the paint a little and the other side I can’t even get on so I gotta punt and put factory bars back on until I can resolve this.

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[d_clark]

What does it look like if you put the bracket on the other direction? Instead of having the uprights point in, have them point out.

 

[KpaxFAQ]

Edited

 

[KpaxFAQ]

pics show brackets facing in. The other way they are outside hanging over vehicle


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[YellowSnow]

Just put the bolts back in...why do you have to re-install the oem rack?

 

[KpaxFAQ]

Just put the bolts back in...why do you have to re-install the oem rack?

Didn’t want to drive around like that for however long this takes to get resolved. But yeah could of done that. I guess I’m going to contact ARB and see what the plan is…..


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[mo_mo]

No personal experience, but a little video explaining the order of assembly:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvqZrcdzemM

Might have to leave the feet not-torqued up until after you have the basket on top. The sheet metal bend does seem excessively not-parallel to the roof line. It doesn't appear gusseted so it could be fine once you assemble the connecting bits.

 

[onaquest]

Is it an ARB Base rack?

No direct experience with mounting an ARB rack, but I recall another member recently installed one and mentioned that mounting the side rails was tough.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3632836-post16.html

 

[KpaxFAQ]

No personal experience, but a little video explaining the order of assembly:
ARB Roof Rack Installation on 2004 Toyota 4Runner - YouTube

Might have to leave the feet not-torqued up until after you have the basket on top. The sheet metal bend does seem excessively not-parallel to the roof line. It doesn't appear gusseted so it could be fine once you assemble the connecting bits.

Yeah I was leaving them loose on the one side but the way it’s bent up will still contact the roof itself eventually rubbing through paint. And the other side rail is so far off I can’t get a bolt through the hole straight enough to start threading it. I dunno if it’s supposed to be like that but I’d be shocked for what they charge for the fit kit

The metal is pretty stout so it’s not like it bends easily


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[mo_mo]

Yeah I was leaving them loose on the one side but the way it’s bent up will still contact the roof itself eventually rubbing through paint. And the other side rail is so far off I can’t get a bolt through the hole straight enough to start threading it. I dunno if it’s supposed to be like that but I’d be shocked for what they charge for the fit kit

The metal is pretty stout so it’s not like it bends easily


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This has some good pics:
ARB Base Rack

Looks like maybe you can have the feet reversed which would make them lean incorrectly one step up?

 

[KpaxFAQ]

Update

After a couple weeks of radio silence to my email and being incredibly busy myself, I called ARB USA and got through to a tech in 2 minutes and exchanges a pic or two via email while on the phone. He said that it definitely didn’t look right and he’d look into it. They couldn’t find any sign of my email even though I got an automated ticket sent to me so we’ll consider it a fluke.

Got an email a couple hours later saying they located 2 new rails in the shop and laid them on the floor to make sure everything was true and requested my address to ship them to me ASAP.


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[KpaxFAQ]

2 new mounting rails arrived free of charge from ARB and she’s on!

Great customer service by ARB and really happy with the quality and look of the aluminum rack!


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[Matt831]

I have found ARB's customer service to be top notch.

Rack looks great, enjoy.

 

[jblawrence25]

2 new mounting rails arrived free of charge from ARB and she’s on!

Great customer service by ARB and really happy with the quality and look of the aluminum rack!


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How exactly do you mount stuff to this one with the mesh screen on top of the rails? the rack looks sick but just curious if i were to mount anything, do you just hook it to to the mesh screen?

 

[JoeBand]

glad you got it resolved and it looks great, but... so did you get defective parts, or was it installation error?