Removing Crossbars

[302@12psi]

My EX came with the roof racks and the dealership was "nice" enough to install the crossbars for me. I would like to take the crossbars off before the first snow as I know the snow is going to be a PITA to get out from under them.

I tried to reverse the instructions on how to install them without much luck. Either King Kong installed the torx screws or I'm doing it wrong. Rather then messing it up I just figured I'd leave it.

Has anyone taken the crossbars off that might be able to offer some advice? Some of the torx heads are already rusted and I have a feeling it might have "rusted" sealed due to no lock tight being applied.

Thoughts?

[AZhitman]

Hit 'em with some PB Blaster, there's probably a bit of corrosion on them...

I'd have to see the rack, doesn't look like there's anything in the FSM about it.

p.s. Loc-Tite is for keeping things fastened - You're thinking of anti-sieze (which would be a good idea on those should you decide to reinstall them).

[302@12psi]

Very true...got the terms flipped.

[TrevEB]

Those torx screws get really tight without much effort. The best thing to use is an impact drill to remove them. If you don't have one, then work with what you have. Make sure that you have the correct size torx. Also you should put down a towel to protect the roof when the torx wrench slips. Oh yes, you will slip. Once your bars are off, put the screws back in to keep water out.

[dblanehopr]

don't tell me you've never used a breaker bar on a suspension bolt or something else that wouldn't come off.put your wrench on the bolt, put a long and strong pipe over the wrench. slowly give pressure but becareful not to jerk it or you might pop the bolt head right off.

p.s. my long and strong pipe is exclusive and not cheap. not to mention available only to the female species.

[dblanehopr]

if you break the bolt, you can always just drill it out. all it is is a bolt holding two pieces of metal together. nothing technical about it sides what the install torque spec is

[302@12psi]

I was using the rather pathertic torx that came with the car to install/uninstall them. It stripped rather easily and I do not have my own set of quality ones.

Also I tried some leverage with a socket but I was not willing to put anything else over the torx as I could feel it stripping and I did not want to strip the torx head screws.

I'll give it another try with some real tools once I get up to my father's garage. Until then I get to keep them. I want to take them off before the snow as I do not see me getting 3 inches of hard powder snow out between them all that easily.

Thanks

[dblanehopr]

screw that man. if you're able to get to the other side of where the bolt threads into. drill that f-ker out and just put on a nice strong and normal steel bolt with a nut on the other side. makes life easier, as long as you've got someone to hold the nut still for you.

or with your dad's tools, weld the nut in place on the other side. then you'll be able to just thread the steel bolt in and out. you're wanting to put these crossbars on again in the spring i'm guess.. so why not just make it easy to take on and off.

[302@12psi]

Dont take this the wrong way....I am not drillling anything into my brand new 40k dollar car. They will come out easily or they will stay. They will not be going back on in the spring but when I sell the thing in a few years I like to give it back in a like new shape.

I've had a 06 wrx and 07 STI....each has tasteful mods that could easily be reversed at time of sale....something I take a bit of pride in.

[dblanehopr]

if you're afraid to drill a bolt hole then just take it to the carwash after heavy snows. hot water usually does a pretty good number on snow.

[302@12psi]

if you're afraid to drill a bolt hole then just take it to the carwash after heavy snows. hot water usually does a pretty good number on snow.

Thanks...but that isnt always an option at 5:00 am on my way to work.

[njcu]

just drive faster... snow will fly off on it's own... Of course the drivers behind you will be cursing but, it's just snow...

I think it would be easier if you just moved someplace warmer... lol

[dblanehopr]

[302@12psi]

If I moved somewhere without snow I would not be driving this vehicle....that's for sure.

White powder snow you can drive off with...no big deal. The stuff we get in MD is usually powder on top of ice with more hard packed stuff. It makes it dangerous for others to have that start coming off at highway speeds.

[dividedhighw]

Hehehe ... don't mind them - they're just poking fun.

People inhabiting warmer climes year-round are always shaking their heads in disbelief at those of us who choose to tough out the cold slippery stuff a few months a year.

Cheers,David

[dblanehopr]

lol, no, i totally get that. it was still dry snow but i was in colorado for a while, and roadtripped throughout the northwest during the winter. i totally get a safety issue.

what i'm sayin is if those bolts really are an issue, i doubt that a few holes will hurt the value of the car as long as you do it right and make it look clean. ...and throw on some rustoleum that matches the underbody.

lol, and to tell you the truth, i like rough mods. but i get why you wouldn't on your car.

but it would be preferable for you to be able to remove/install those at any given time.