Roof Rack Cover Blew Off -- easy place to get replacement?

[rwelch53]

I had the passenger rear one get ripped off in a car wash, but luckily I saw it fly off in my rear view mirror. I had them stop the wash and retrieve it for me, and was also lucky that it wasn’t damaged. I drilled and tapped into the actual brackets underneath on both sides and used stainless #10-24 screws to prevent them from ever falling off, or getting stolen.

I haven't ordered one yet and was wondering if this was something that could be remedied fairly easily. Thanks for the idea!

 

[Terminator03]

I haven't ordered one yet and was wondering if this was something that could be remedied fairly easily. Thanks for the idea!

You’re welcome. The hardest part is studying the inner bracket casting to find the right spot to drill and tap, then measuring to find that spot on the cover. I used a smaller drill to pilot a hole through both pieces, then removed the cover, used the tap drill, tapped the bracket, and then just used a drill slightly larger than the #10 screw diameter to drill the plastic cover. My photo bucket account is all jacked up, otherwise I’d post a pic to show what it looks like, and give you an idea of the approx location. If someone wants to add the pic for me, just pm me an email, or phone and I can text it, or email it. I was originally going to “glue” the cover on with clear silicone or similar, but figured the mechanical fastener was much better in case I ever want/need to remove the cover.

 

[Aucilla]

Mine came off and was lost. I found a broken plastic clip or insert piece on the remaining rack leg. I got a new cover to put back on there, but I am wondering if anyone has any tips for fixing it to stay on now, other than the tape suggestion above. I was thinking filling it with some kind of goop or something...

 

[Flyer]

Lost my RR for the first time (carwash, I am assuming). I ordered an apparently OEM one off the web but seller never responded so PayPal gave me my money back. Now off to look for another OEM one....

 

[Aucilla]

To my happy surprise, replacement I got on eBay was perfect. The color (silver) matched and it snapped on securely.

 

[Aucilla]

Lost All Four!

I got my 2005 4Runner new, and over the last year, I lost both of them--a few months apart--on the driver's side and replaced them from eBay. Last week, in a car wash, BOTH of them on the other side (passenger) blew off at the same time!

Each of them had one of the small clips freshly broken. The car wash manager commented that older cars get "dry rot" on those parts.... Having lost two just driving down the road, the OTHER two, I won't disagree. Maybe the fact that for 10 years the car has been parked all day in the Florida sun.....

I'm not sure I have the energy to tap and drill them, and my truck is a bit beat already anyway. I was thinking about glue, but that might make it hard to replace them if they come off anyway.