Member Since: 10 Apr 2016
Location: London
Posts: 1
Roof rail fitting cross thread screws
I have recently tried to install roof rails for the Freelander 2 and half the screws seem to be cross threaded/won't go in far enough to secure the rails.
I have tried new screws and still no good. Where do you obtain the actual bolts already in the roof that take the screws? I can't find them anywhere on the web?
10th Apr 2016 3:37 pm
MrPotatoHead
Member Since: 20 Oct 2015
Location: Durham
Posts: 121
I had to pad mine out with washers. Don't go too tight or else they snap!
12th Apr 2016 9:40 pm
Lightwater
Member Since: 21 Aug 2014
Location: Sydney Northern Beaches
Posts: 4905
I installed the roof rails myself, didn't have any problems, but took my time & used rust remover (phosphoric acid) not that it was really needed in my case, also etched primed & painted the steel with some Holts touch-up paint, you can spray it into the lid of the can & brush it onto the surface to save masking if you are lazy. Let the touch-up paint dry overnight.
If you cross threaded the holes you may want to re-tap the thread, but be very careful you don't make the problem worse, & use tapping cutting lubricant (eg, Chesterton tapping lubricant). Last thing you need is to snap a tap off in the hole. When you tap the hole for every half turn, turn the tap back a quarter of a turn. All by hand nice & square to the hole.
You may need a 3 piece tap set. Taper, intermediate & bottoming, don't rush.
To clean out the hole, hold a straw on the end of the vacuum nozzle so the hole is nice & clean, & use a pipe cleaner, the twisty things kids use, to clean the hole & thread.
Taper, Intermediate & Bottoming tapping set:
Click image to enlarge
As mentioned above don't over tighten the bolts. It is not necessary & you could snap them.
Also I found it easier to pre install the fixing cross bar, but loosen the bolts about 3 full turns from fully tightened. A few bath towels on the roof of the car to protect the paint gives one more peace of mind especially while lowering the whole assembly into position (reference for others as you will already have the rails on the car). A towel under the cross bar while tightening up provides a bit of protection to the roof.
Just a reminder, do NOT use silicone to seal, get a proper car body sealer from Sika or similar.
For Fuji White Freelanders: Holt DSH111 (Casablanca White (Holden)), it's not an exact match for Fuji White but it is good enough for emergencies or if you are more concerned about avoiding rust.Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!
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