rjgnal1680

I have a 2004 330. The roof crossbars will not budge. I have lifted the cam and can feel that it has moved on the underside of the crossbar at the rail. Additionally I have tapped with a rubber mallet while the cam lift is up. Still not budging. Is there a trick or is there another thing someone might suggest to do? Do I need to do both sides at the same time?

redrocks

WD-40 might work.

kitlz

rjgnal1680, welcome to CL. I believe there is a TSB on the '04. Check with the dealer. I managed to get mine off by wedging a screwdriver in where the tab lifts up to release them. I'd recommend having another person release the other side at the same time. It'll make sliding the crossbars much easier. Good luck.

noz34me

The TSB will tell you they're broken. I'm beginning to believe that any '04 models that have not had them replaced, they are all broken. Not sure if the sune deteriorate the pin that locks them in to the point where they break, or what the problem is. With an '04, you're hosed unless you can find a replacement set somewhere, as they will not be covered under the original warranty, or a CPO warranty.

I bought an '04 and found mine in that condition while I had a bumper to bumper warranty in effect from the independent dealer. 5 months, and I'm still waiting on him to make good on them. I'm sure he's choking on replacment cost.

redrocks

noz34me,

5 months and you're still waiting? What's the deal here? Which dealership in VA?

tfischer

The '04 initially shipped with a batch of bad crossbars with bad releases; the crossbars would not slide when the catch was activated. A TSB was issued and Lexus will (or at least used to) replace them for free, but only if the owner mentioned to service that something was wrong with the crossbars (since, I presume, most owners never even try to move the crossbars).
I bought my '04 in '07, found out that I had some of the bad batch, and had them replaced, no questions asked, upon my next visit for service.
Whether they are still doing that for '04 cars is anybody's guess, but there is no harm in asking; I did not see any time limit on the TSB.

mandyfig

Cars under warranty, they will implement the TSB. Outside warranty, probably nil to slim change. Who uses them anyway, very few. Had mine replaced. But now my roof is nekkid.

kitlz

I never used the crossbars either on my '04 and wasn't aware of the TSB until after I removed them myself. It's hard but not impossible to get them off. I have no crossbars on my 450h and am now debating whether to go completely nekkid too. Decisions, decisions.

mandyfig

Nekkid is better. See the new SUV's nowadays....less drag, too.

kitlz

Mandy, I'm not worried about the drag. I was thinking about the waxing and weather. I'll have to price out the pieces I need and make a decision. At least I can put them back on if I change my mind.

mandyfig

I love how easy it is to do my roof now that I do not have anything on it. If I can just change my antenna to a fin and put it in the middle, it will be sweet!

kitlz

Mandy, the fin is nothing special. I always debated whether to turn the antenna on the '04 forwards or backwards. It could have been smaller but it beats the old school antenna on the '99.

mandyfig

I beg your pardon, you have the 2010. Keep it. I was referring to the 2nd Gen.