2008 Thule Rack Install Question

[Riverrat]

I purchased the CRV specialty rack from Thule (#770). I began to install it yesterday. The threads on the barrel nuts that Thule supplies do not seem to match the threads on the threaded attachments posts on the CRV. Instead, the barrel nuts seem to be ribbed inside with a softer material than the attachment posts. I have two concerns. First, I am concerned about cranking on the barrel nuts and stripping the threads on the attachment posts. Second, I wonder how secure this attachment is (I usually carry multiple surfboards on the roof). Does anyone have any experience installing or using the Thule racks to share? Thanks.

[getracked]

Riverrat,
It's not the barrel post that is the issue with the installation - but it is the post itself on the roof of the vehicle.

Like most car companies, Honda installs these "fixed-point" locations on their vehicles before painting. Once the vehicle is painted and clear-coated, than additional accessories are added.

In this case, the paint and clear coat have gotten into the threads of the factory post and have made them hard to work with.

What we recommend at Thule is "sanding" these factory posts with a firm wire brush to remove some of the paint. Otherwise you can risk snapping the barrel post for the 770 rack system.

Any other questions or concerns: nick.lefort@thule.com

[Riverrat]

Thanks. I may be surfing tomorrow after all!

[getracked]

Ain't no thing...
Surf on and surf well!!

[SJB]

When I installed mine I ran across the same issue. I went to the hardware store and got a couple extra nuts with matching threads. I put some light oil on the mounting studs and slowly ran the nuts up and down a couple times to remove the paint. BE CAREFUL because as the poster above said you can snap off the fixed mounts. I used a 1/4" drive short handled ratchet as to not get alot of force behind them.

Another tip, after a couple weeks- go back and check all the mounting hardware- a couple of my extender bolts were not 100% tight.

I posted in my thread that my setup is rock solid- well worth the extra cost over OEM or the Ebay racks that are out there. I run a Thule pod all winter and bike trays in the summer.

Good luck!

[shanhz]

Another tip, after a couple weeks- go back and check all the mounting hardware- a couple of my extender bolts were not 100% tight.

I posted in my thread that my setup is rock solid- well worth the extra cost over OEM or the Ebay racks that are out there. I run a Thule pod all winter and bike trays in the summer.

Good luck!

hi. this question may not be too relevant here, but have anyone experienced rusting around the mounts after months or years of use? would that corrode into the car's body work?

am intending to install roof rails but worried about rust after prolonged weather exposure.