How To Remove 2010 RX350 Roof Rack Cross Rails
I just picked up the 2010 RX350 and asked the salesperson to provide the cross rails for the roof rack. I figured as long as I had the roof rack, I should also have a set of cross rails in case I need them in the future.
I don't want to keep them on all the time, but can't figure out how to remove them. Does anyone know how to remove them? If you do, would you please share the procedure.
Thanks,
Wes
I don't want to keep them on all the time, but can't figure out how to remove them. Does anyone know how to remove them? If you do, would you please share the procedure.
Thanks,
Wes
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Bill
First, I can't understand why an auto maker would sell a utility vehicle with a roof rack, without cross rails and then if you want them you have to pay extra. Second, once you have them you can't easily install or remove them as you want.
I would rather not even have the roof rack, but since I do have it, it's useless unless I have the cross rails in case I need them. So I worked out a deal to get them, but I only want them on when I need them. I believe based on my interstate ride home yesterday the cross rails cause wind noise, so I want them stored off the RX until I need them.
If I remember corectly my 2003 RX300 had cross rails that I could Install when I needed them.
Thanks again,
Wes
The best way to describe it is to grasp the end cap with the right hand close to the rear of the end cap and your left hand next to your right hand while facing the car with you fingers spread on the back side and your thumb on the front side of the crossbar Squeeze the back side with your four fingers while pulling upward toward you carefully and the cap will loosen. If done correctly, it doesn't take a lot of effort. Once the cap is off, the loosened crossbars slide out the back of the rail. There is no other hardware to remove. When you replace them, the front tab is inserted into the rail and then you squeeze the cap as you lower the back end carefully. It will "snap" when it's in place. I was surprised how easy it was. At first I had tried to pull straight back, but the pull should be upward and toward you while squeezing the cap.
Wes
anyone know how to remove the side rails
i'll never use them & don't find them overly attractive
Wes
Thanks
Thanks
Here's how you remove the RX350 / RX450h roof rail end cap.
First however, a brief description of what's inside the end cap so you know what you are dealing with.
1) The forward portion of rear roof rail end cap, that sits on the rail, wraps around the top and sides of the rail. At the bottom edges it does not clip on to the bottom edges of the rail. There is nothing to pry here.
2) The forward-most portion of the rail end cap has a plastic tab or tongue on the very top that inserts under the roof rail. The tab is about 3/8" and deep, and about 1/8" thick. This should not concern you either as this will pull out easily once you get the rear of the cap off.
3) The rear of the end cap, that covers the bracket attaching it to the roof, has two spade or tongue-like plastic tabs inside that point down vertically from the top-inside of the end cap. These press-fit into slots in the underlying metal bracket, in-line with the rack and spaced about 3.5" apart from each other. They are each about 5/8" wide and protude down about 1.5". They are spaced equally from the bracket foot front and back edges.
4) On the inboard side of the end cap, the flat side facing toward the car's center, there are two small protusions or "catches" on the inside of the end cap along the bottom edge. These protrude in about 3/32" and are evenly spaced along the foot of the end cap about 3-4" apart. They each catch inside on lips on the underlying roof racket metal bracket.
Removal
1) Prep: put duct tape on the roof along the inside and outside edges of the end cap. This will protect the paint from the pry tools. Also, put a rag or towel on teh roof to lay the pry tools on.
2) You will need a very blade with a curved end for leverage. I had some odd dental tools that had a spade tip that was about 1/4" wide and an inch long. I put two of these under the outer lip of the end cap, the edge that is closest to the windows. By prying up this edge, the center, vertical tabs will release. Leave the tools inserted.
3) On the bottom, inside edge of the end cap, facing the middler of the car, you will need to get a pry tool under and inside this edge (in the center) that can pull this edge outward. This disengages the plastic catches on inside this edge. The tool I used looked like a thin pick with a 90 degree bent tip about 1/8" long. Once inserted under the edge, I could turn the tip up to catch the edge and pull outward.
4) While pulling on this tool, lift the end cap up. When it desengages the forward tab at the front of the end cap will slide out as the end cap lifts up and your pry tools fall to the ground.
5) To reinstall, insert forward tab and whack the cap down wiith the palm of you hand.
Now here's the sad part. I got the #@!**! end caps off but could not get the roof rack bars to fit in the rail slots. The slot did not seem large enought to take the diameter of the largest roller bearing. If I had tried to force it, I feared I would damage the slot (which seems to be made of plastic). I reinstalled the end caps. Decided that car was too expensive for me to mess it up and that it would be better for the dealer to muck with this. If they supplied me with the wrong roof rack bars it would then be there problem. At this point, paying to make it their problem is also worth my time and peace of mind.
Nevertheless, I have posted these instructions because I could not find them anywhere on the web, and us "McGyvers" need to know we at least tried.
Steve
Thanks
I went to the dealer today because, as noted above, it didn't seem like the crossbars they gave me would fit the roof rail slot. I got the blasted end caps off but the rollers on the crossbars seemed too big for the slots. I was right! They sold me the wrong bars! I have a 2010 RX450h and the sold me ones for a 2009.
When they get the 2010's in I am going to let them install them. Less than 1 hour job at $125/hour. If I do it, it will be more than an hour, fraught with risk of breaking the end caps even though I now know how to remove them. If I didn't already have 2 hours into this I would consider investing more time. At this point, I need to get this behind me.
So, the photos I posted of the end caps are for a 2010 RX. It may be different for 2009. Best of luck.
Steve
Nutso caveat: my next project is replacing the stock speakers (12 speaker system) in the doors. I am an audiophile and the bass sounds way too muddy/indistinct to me. So my next trick will be to figure out how to get the door panels off. Then find the right size and impedance speakers. I've heard that Lexus uses 8 ohm speakers when the industry standard is 4 ohms. Two 4 ohm speakers in series would do it, but I doubt there is room for this, or a 4 ohm resistor might be good to. Depends how much time as to whether I will really do this.
Thanks
J2
I'll let you know next week. I'll see if the dealer will let me back in the shop.
Steve
There were no instructions in the box. It looked pretty straight forward once the rear end caps came off. It was a 15-20 minute job for the dealer.
They must have the right pry tool. Or, they can afford to take risks since the replacement cost for them is minor. For the rest of us, we have to finesse it.
Best of luck,
Steve
:shades:
Check out post #5 by wrahn. Just using both hands, grab the end cap and twist counterclockwise and up (or twist away from you). The endcap will loosen. It should come off. If not, pry carefully with A SMALL SCREWDRIVER at the end where its already loose. The end cap should come off.
I can post pictures but on this forum, posting pictures is not easy.
There is a tab at the front of the rear cap that fits under the top of the rail, so don't attack it there.
I had no trouble getting the cross rails to slide inside the side rails.