Roof Rack
 

I tried to remove my roof rack but couldn't get the end caps off (2010). I decided to go to the Lexus dealer and ask them how. One person their didn't believe I had a Hybred with a rack and walked out to my RX to see it. He told me that Lexus isn't putting the rack on the 450 because of the 1/2 to 1 mile of mileage loss it causes. Then the service manager and a tech walked out to look also. They said that Lexus drills holes into the roof to mount the rack and removing it would leave holes I couldn't seal from the rain. I find this hard to believe but dumber things have happened. Has anyone added or removed a roof rack on an RX450H, or even a 350?

I was under the impression that it was the [U]cross bars[U] which created the wind drag, and therefore the mileage loss (and increased noise). Which is also why they aren't standard on Gen 3 like they were on Gen 2.

It makes sense to me that the roof rails would be screwed into the roof. How else would you attach them? The roof racks potentially will carry things and therefore have to be anchored solidly, not just glued on. I wouldn't recommend removing them and exposing the holes.

Just my 2 cents.....

There is a discussion on how to remove the crossbar and some on the rack on

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...oss-rails.html

The thread shows how to remove the end caps (with pictures).

There are two bolts holding the roof rack on each end to the roof of the car. If you remove these, you will have two holes. Perhaps you can get a plastic cover and seal for it, I dont know.

The wind drag is more due to the crossbar. The roof rack is parallel to the direction of the car and therefore offer much less resistance. Some people also complain of a high pitch sound due to the crossbar mainly due to it being installed facing the wrong way.

Naw... poor design. Wife's 08 crossbars make less noise than my 10 and they're installed correctly.

The more I thik about it I can't believe Lexus would just say "drill 4 holes into the top to install the roof rails". The top isn't that thick and without reinforcement wont hold a lot of weight. To the people without a roof rack, do you have four pieces already cut out on you black vinyl strips on both side of the top? Do they look like they could be pried up to be removed?

Mike, I'd PM Cruiter. His 450h does not have the roof rails. I'm not sure if it was delivered that way or if the dealer removed them after.

Anita and Jim, thanks. What I will do now is find someone that has access to a parts explosion of the rail. Then I should be able to find the part number and order the cover plates and remove my rails.

jim would you mind removing 1 of the cover plates & photographing what is beneath

i wanted to remove my rails & bought the cover plates

but the plates needed brackets to attach to

the parts tech couldn't find part #'s for the attachment brackets & i ended up returning the covers



gr8330, the part #'s for the cover plates are 75595-48020 & 75596-48020, you need 2 of each

450H FWD doesn't come with rails by default. I believe the idea is that it's the most fuel efficient version of the vehicle and most customers don't want them.

I could sure use that info also, thanks.

jskennedy, Could you tell me which is right and left please?

sorry, just wrote down the part #'s, don't remember which is which, seems like the packages were labeled

Thanks cruiter