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thule fitting advice
- Thread starter jiminy
- Start date
What was your problem?
I've got Thule racks. They were the only ones I could find that didn't involve drilling holes in the roof and permanent fitting.
The dealer ordered mine, then when they arrived he fitted them with me watching to adjust the width correctly and show me how to do it the next time I had to. Then we tagged which was the front rack and which was the rear - they're set to different widths - and which was left and right on each rack. If you bought over the counter the dealer should have done that for you.
It does look a bit dodgy to have the base of the rear rack pressing down on that slide-out section of panelling. And it doesn't seem very secure to have it hooked under the lip of the rear side windows. But it works well enough.
Maybe you're trying to put the back rack too far back. I would have preferred to have the front and rear racks as far apart as possible, but the rear rack only fits securely towards the front of the rear side windows.
I've got Thule racks. They were the only ones I could find that didn't involve drilling holes in the roof and permanent fitting.
The dealer ordered mine, then when they arrived he fitted them with me watching to adjust the width correctly and show me how to do it the next time I had to. Then we tagged which was the front rack and which was the rear - they're set to different widths - and which was left and right on each rack. If you bought over the counter the dealer should have done that for you.
It does look a bit dodgy to have the base of the rear rack pressing down on that slide-out section of panelling. And it doesn't seem very secure to have it hooked under the lip of the rear side windows. But it works well enough.
Maybe you're trying to put the back rack too far back. I would have preferred to have the front and rear racks as far apart as possible, but the rear rack only fits securely towards the front of the rear side windows.
Just to echo what's been said above, make sure you're following the instructions regarding positioning on the car - it tells you the measurements in the info mine came with.
And yeah, it doesn't seem very secure having it hooked under the lip of the rear side windows, but I (and Rory182) can vouch for the security of that at, ahem, quick speeds... What might help is pulling the edge of the rubber seal at the top of the rear side window out, slip in the plastics credit card (or any actual credit card) before fitting the "hook" bits directly against the car metal. Gets a more secure attachment that way rather than the rubber seal getting in the way.
PM me mate if you're still having problems!
You'll find various pics showing where the rack should be attached in here or here
And yeah, it doesn't seem very secure having it hooked under the lip of the rear side windows, but I (and Rory182) can vouch for the security of that at, ahem, quick speeds... What might help is pulling the edge of the rubber seal at the top of the rear side window out, slip in the plastics credit card (or any actual credit card) before fitting the "hook" bits directly against the car metal. Gets a more secure attachment that way rather than the rubber seal getting in the way.
PM me mate if you're still having problems!
You'll find various pics showing where the rack should be attached in here or here
set out the 4 foot locks at the right amounts, then position at the measurements as stated (with bars attached). The rear one is a hassle initially as you have to slide it from the door side under the rubber drain and then get it to the desired position.
Once youv done that on both sides, tighten a little to stay in place.
The front one clips under the door frame, there is 2 ridges, line it up correctly and then slot in the triangular twisted piece and turn to lock in place. Same for other side
Then tighten the rear ones.
The cycle carrier is guid fun too!!
Once youv done that on both sides, tighten a little to stay in place.
The front one clips under the door frame, there is 2 ridges, line it up correctly and then slot in the triangular twisted piece and turn to lock in place. Same for other side
Then tighten the rear ones.
The cycle carrier is guid fun too!!
And another thing, I've found the rubber pads were scratching my roof, so I got some paint protection film (the stuff that can be fitted to the front of cars to stop stone chips, etc.) from ebay and stuck bits of it to the roof where the rack attaches. They're clear and although you can still see them, I'd rather have that than wreck my paintwork.
You can just see the edges of the film in this pic
You can just see the edges of the film in this pic
that was easy on one side, but on the other side it wont go in far enough because the seal has been stuck in a different way
Clio 197
Two things:
You'll find 2 little arrows on the window itself. They're visible on the top edge (where the window fades-out).
You want the metal hook (coated in rubber hopefully) to sit right in between them.
It should fit. PS slip a credit card behind the rubber window seal to get access to it.
You'll find 2 little arrows on the window itself. They're visible on the top edge (where the window fades-out).
You want the metal hook (coated in rubber hopefully) to sit right in between them.
It should fit. PS slip a credit card behind the rubber window seal to get access to it.
Clio 197
Try a little WD40 then... it may slip-in some more.
If not, you'll need to dialate the gap somehow. :s
Clio 197
OH, I was refering to the one you can see...
...the window itself is bonded to the body, yes, but the bonding material shouldn't be so far out should it?
...the window itself is bonded to the body, yes, but the bonding material shouldn't be so far out should it?
