Removing roof rack from RX400 / 330

[thwang99]

Hi all,

So, removed the roof rack this weekend, still need to get a replacement rubber strip, anyone know where to get this? Anyways, it was very easy! I've posted some pictures below:

First lift up on the plastic covers, and pull forward/backward to remove them. They should snap right off.




Then remove the screws.




Now lift the roofrack off the car, be careful not to scratch the paint! Here's the removed roofrack, saved 14 pounds in weight from the top of the car, and reduces drag:



One thing that you can do is to remove the sliding rails first, just slide them towards the rear of the car once you've removed the plastic covers. You'll have to loosen two retaining screws to get them off. This way you can remove each roof rail one at a time instead of having to take the whole roof rack assembly off at once.

[CK6Speed]

I'm pretty sure the Lexus or even Toyotal dealer can get at least the plugs. The rubber strip modling you probably need to get from Lexus. Anyway, I haven't had time to get those items myself. I removed mine about 2 1/2 weeks agok, but my car went into the body shop the next day so I really haven't gotten on the ball to track those parts down yet. I get my car back this week so I better get those parts myself Let me know the part numbers if you get them before I do and I'll do the same. Hopefully Lexus/Toyota will prvide the numbers.

[RatherPlay]

Thanks to both of you... nice pictures. I hate the roof rack, I'd like to go without one for smoother lines and less wind noise. If you get part numbers for plugs, molding, please post. My Lexus dealer is rather bad at lookups...

[Traturn]

The roof rack is standard on the RX330, there is no factory part to cover these holes.

The only suggestion i have would be this: does the black rubber filler fit back there? possibly buy one, cut it in half and slide it in? Possibly you could buy one 75555-0E010 molding (the plack rubber thing under the roof rail) and modify it so it would fit over where the roof-rack feeet sat?

[CK6Speed]

As I under stood it the base model doesn not have the roof racks as it is a paid option, and also if you get the large panel sunroof it doesn't allow for the roof racks either. On the Lexus webpage and various publications we can see RX330s without roof racks and non roof racked Harriers in Japan are all over the place so the full strip molding should be avaliable. As for the plugs, it should be the same as for the Toyota cars since they mount their optional roof racks the same way and more than likey use the same size bolts. If they are not available simply silcone sealant should do the trick.

[thwang99]

You need four of these, at $11 or so each:

75595D, RH side

75596D, LH side

They are small rubber pieces that will fill the gap. Hopefully they are the right parts, I just ordered them, should get them in a few days! I'll let you guys know.

- Tony

[M Lujan]

Someone stole my roof rack, any chance you want to sell your?

[thwang99]

Originally Posted by M Lujan

Someone stole my roof rack, any chance you want to sell your?

I want to keep it in case I'd need to use it, but I've never hand a time when I needed to use it in a year, so send me a PM if you are interested in it. I'd sell it for $150 + ship?

[Bogie-Rio]

Would someone please provide me with help on removing the crossrails on my RX350. I don't want to just start unscrewing things, because that's when I'll screw it all up. Pictures of what I would need to do would be superb! I asked the dealer and they told me there is no way to remove the crossrails.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[AM1]

yea i agree there. anyone have pics? i have to put the roof rack back to stock when i return the car when the lease is up.

[oseidler]

I would be interested in a little more detail as to how the end caps come off. I just want to remove my crossrails, but leave the side rails.

[KeysRx300]

I picked up my new RX350 on last Friday. And I removed the complete rack.

Couple of tips. The plastic molding just slides off. Foward and aft. You need to use 2 common screwdrivers to remove them. The first needs to lift up the skinny end. So it will go over the plastic base piece. With the second screwdriver. Put the tip between the gap. And spread and push the plastic piece from the rack. And it will slide right off. Take care as the plastic molding scratches easily. If it feels really tight. Adjust the screwdriver that is lifting the piece up over the base plastic piece.

Once the 4 moldings are removed. With a 12 MM socket. Remove the 8 each silver bolts. I lifted the entire section off the car. But if you want to take it apart on the car. There are two small 8 mm screws that stop the cross bars from going all the way back. With the two small screws removed. And the aft plastic molding removed. The cross bars will slide all the way off.

[KeysRx300]

Molding picture

[KeysRx300]

12mm screw removal

[Frankr66]

thanks for the writeup though the first set of pics are red x's now.

so there are 8 bolts total? im going to do this job this weekend