I wish I'd cut the bolts down before fitting, too!

I did replace the one I snapped with a stainless M6 X 12 cut down to about 9mm.

Am pleased with the finished look though!

They do look good and I did them primarily so I could use the Thule roof bars that I bought for my merc estate with rails. The plastic end caps worry me though. I think they may just blow off! Thinking about sticking them in with a blob of silicone on the catch.
Just got to get some spots and a towbar fitted and I will be all set........ Forgot I need two new rears. Any advice....?

I haven't actually used the roof rack yet. At this stage they are just there to look the part! So I have the rear roof bar about 1/3 over the plastic cover to hold it in place. The front covers seem to snap in place ok but the rear covers don't really lock in place. I will eventually silicon, screw or tape in place & move the rear cross bar forward so it is fully on the extruded aluminium.

I didn't snap any bolts but I did take my time & was careful. To remove the 4 plastic caps I drilled 2 small holes & unscrewed them. They don't even need a hole through them, just an indentation so a pair of pointy nosed pliers will key into the plug. Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

Cracking idea to pre drill the fir trees! That video makes it look easy but mine were in like Excalibur in the stone!

Merlinrocket wrote:

They do look good and I did them primarily so I could use the Thule roof bars that I bought for my merc estate with rails. The plastic end caps worry me though. I think they may just blow off! Thinking about sticking them in with a blob of silicone on the catch.
Just got to get some spots and a towbar fitted and I will be all set........ Forgot I need two new rears. Any advice....?

Both good ideas. Thank you.
How do the pirellis wear? I use P6 on the SLK but they wear very quickly but we don't do many miles in it.

I too snapped a bolt whilst fitting my rails (around 16 months ago - so pre this thread).
As this seems quite a common occurrence I'd recommend anyone who fits rails in future to 're-tap' all the threads before fitting.

Another useful tip I found is when fitting the brace bar.
It's a right pain trying to fit in situ, especially as the bolts go in at an angle.
Therefore I'd suggest that once the rails are offered up and fitted, just bolt up loosely to ensure that you don't have the snapping issue as mentioned above.
Remove the rails, fit the brace bar to both rails, then offer up the full assembly to the roof, then align and bolt up firmly.
Much much easier.


Btw, the rail end caps can be sourced separately if you happen to lose one.
Though would suggest a dab of silicone when initially fitting to prevent loss in the first place. FL2 now gone and have a couple of items left for sale:-

Brodit active iPhone holder + Brodit dash clip,
Bluetooth Music Streaming Module.