This is a little odd.

It looks like factory roof racks are a matte finish and they have a groove to put the crossbars in. That's not what's on my new-to-me car. I'm guessing one of the previous 2 owners wanted a chrome looking rack to match the rest of the trim and got "someone" to cobble this one on.

There's no groove for crossbars and not much "chrome" left on that part. Ends are ok. Caulking was involved....

I have some plans for how to clean it all up... Once I get them off.



One bolt each end and some caulk

Just a bit pitted...

 

Post some expanded pics of the roof rails please to include the end caps.

 

Here is most of an end cap. There was a single screw on the inside side of each one...looked "custom" haha




I'll get some better pics tomorrow but after some intense internet searching, I don't think the rack is for this model Lexus. The base part is different.

I found some used racks from parts cars on ebay but they likely won't come with the mounting parts ( which aren't under this rack) and I am going to have to call an online dealer for those because they only list left ones with one drawing and two prices. I might just get the delete kit but the ends of the rubber look like they have been cut !

So my plan is to cut up some truck mudflaps to fit under the rack ends and try to straighten what I've got out after sanding off the peeling stuff and covering it with fancy aluminum tape that's used for serious ductwork.

But I'm open to ideas !!!

 

When I installed the rack [i bought mine from salvage yard], there were after market being advertised on the net.

End caps from Lexus are colored silver-grey. [which I bought from on line Lexus retailer] and they simply snap in place.

So the question is what do you intend to do?

If you intend to chuck out the set, then please procure a kit with blocks to cover the attachment holes. The kit will blend with the black moulding that runs front to back on the sides. Since you mentioned some putty involved, i shiver on the thought that some modification might hide under the currently installed kit. Think twice as you might be getting into a hornet nest [I hope not].

Salim

PS: one thing odd is the picture you posted shows black on the outside edge. that should be facing towards the middle of the roof? How did some one manage to do that?

 

HaHa ! Hornet's nest in view !!

Front of rack is thru bolted. I need to remove (at least part of) the headliner and to do that, I need to remove the overhead grab handles.

I can't find anyone who has removed this type. It must be a simple thing that I'm just not getting. I have a huge auto body tool kit but there must be a trick.

I'm only at my computer 'cause I'm hunting for that...

 

No ... nothing needs to be touched inside the cab.

Everything is from the top [outside]. Remove the front and back end caps and unbolt the ends. The long rubberized part stays on the roof. Where the posts come off is where the blocks go in [push down and slide special bolt head for the blocks]. I hope you are not trying to remove the long base from front to back. That would require body work.

All Lexus parts [in my limited but extensive experience] have a molding marking RH or LH for Right and Left. Right and Left are based on the vehicle. For simplicity when the driver is sitting in the drivers seat, the right hand of the driver will be the RH, and the left hand will be LH.

Salim
Nuts for the hold down are welded on to the metal base. The base and the long strip stay on the roof.
I just re read the post and it seems the picture posted in post #3 is not yours. It threw me off as the end cover piece is not the way it should be.

 

It's not a Lexus rack. I have the long rack part off ...pulled it off bolt carefully. Bolt is smaller than hole and I can see the nut inside >> it just twirls around. That's the hornet part !!!

It has parts from the delete kit but not the right bolt in this hole and an even smaller bolt that just pulled out in the other hole.

Fun.

 

Pic in post #3 is mine.

Here's all 4



And here's what's left.



I haven't found any clues on removing the 'o ****' handle. I ordered a full set of service manuals; that ought to tell me !
Going back to the garage and take the other side off and see if I can get the nut to stop spinning with the bolt with a tool.

 

Interesting never seen them chrome before. Kind of like it.

 

The chrome is definitely aftermarket. OEM is one color silverish-grey [does not match body color of Rx].

The bolt head tells me it is not OEM, most probably homeDepot or Lowes]. Since it is spinning the nut, either it is cross threaded or of the wrong size/kind. You can try jamming the spinning nut from side and med powered impact driver to the bolt head. [metric/sae socket will give you another clue .. no guarantees as some sizes do end up being common].

Do not attempt to reach from the cabin side. Last resort would be to drill a fine hole through the metal hold down plate and through the spinning nut and driving a steel pin [even using the drill bit] to affix the bolt.

Still unanswered is what do you plan to do? Do you have the blocking kit or you want to purchase OEM rack. New one will be expensive and a used one may be hard to get. You still have to deal with the messed up nut.

It has been a while and best recollection is the hold down bolts have a channel in the head to allow the blocking cover to slide in them. Although regular bolt [of the right size and thread] will work as a hold down for the rails, but you need the exact bolts if you plan to use the cover kit.

Salim

PS: The black metal plate has hooked shape ends. Its could be that cover [without rack] simply snaps in and there is no need of slotted head bolts.
Also check if the black plate is riveted down. If so you or a mechanic can drill off the head of the rivet and get a fresh starting point. Creating a new rivet is fairly easy as the aluminum blind rivets are readily available.

 

The bolt/nut moves freely up, down and all around.

There was enough room so I could drill into the nut with a 1/32" bit but I couldn't get anything to hold it still. The other side front had red thread locker on it so I gave up that approach and I'm cutting off the bolt. Have about 2 hours and 3 blades on a vibrating multitool into that. Broke a cheap vise-grip...It's a tough bolt ! It can just drop in and roll around until I feel like dropping the headliner.

I like the chrome rack, too but the rail part is a mess. Guess I'll just get the right bolts for the delete kit brackets and buy the black caps and be naked for a while. Eventually, I'll get the right rack. No shortage on ebay.

I have lots of stuff to do to the car before I drive it regularly and I also need to fix my other car to get it thru inspection. So for now, I just want the RX waterproof so it can sit outside for a few days. I'm also remodeling the house so no shortage of projects.

 

I found this post in this thread https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...removal-4.html




This may explain my situation since the bolt on the other side came out. It does not address threadlocker so I'm still going to cut it off and try to get my hand or a magnet in there and catch it.

 

Threadlocker can be mitigated by heat. Just heat up the bolt and let the metal conduct heat. It is sugary stuff and will turn into carbon. Just make sure you do not direct the flame onto the roof paint.

Salim

 

Thanks, Salim. I'll think about that but I don't have far to go to have the bolt cut thru.

I ordered the 4 black caps and when things settle down a little, I'll start collecting parts to put factory racks on.

 

Like AlexB's post above, the backing plate and clip have fallen down.

I got the grab handle off and now I can get a socket up in there to remove the nut... I hope. Then using magnets,butyl tape... whatever works get that plate back up so it will take 8mm bolt instead of 10mm which someone must have tapped the roof metal for. Don't know what I'll do about the clip, yet.

Probably didn't even need to get the grab handle off. The headliner flexes and returns well and has clips to hold it up right there.