Roof Rail Removal

[Chopper]

My roof rails are showing rust bubbles where the front attachment points are. Someone in assembly, forgot the rubber/silicone Grommets that waterproofed the holes.....now my roof is rusting. It is slight, but it's happening on both sides. The rails gotta come off, headliner out, and I'm gonna have to grind out all that rust and paint the roof.
My question is directed to anyone that's had them off or had the headliner out...

**Do the rails themselves have a threaded bolt inserted or cast in, that is attached by a nut inside?
If this is the case, the threaded insert is likely rusted badly, and the rails themselves will need to be replaced. **They list @ 168.00 on Isuzu parts.com.

***Are these rails actually available? Just 'cause they're listed, doesn't mean they exist.
I want the new ones here in hand, before I take the thing apart....


Thanx.....and Peace y'all

[Chopper]

***Wonder what it looks like without all that plastic up there?
Not like I've ever used it....those covers have never been off. I noticed they "wiggle" a bit, way back in the day, and have just never removed them


**the windshield squirters have never been squirted yet either:p

[Mile High VX]

A used one for sale in this thread:

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=23895&highlight=roof+rack

PM him and he can help with your questions on the attachment.

[VX KAT]

I've got several close up shots of the underside of the rails if it's of any help to ya:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC_6525.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC_6542.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC_6543.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC_6570.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC_6540.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC_6541.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC_6566.jpg


http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC_6539.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC_6545.JPG

[Chopper]

mounted in

crapola.....oh well:( kinda what I expected. Those threads are likely toast


Thank you, everyone

[LittleBeast]

I tried removing mine once, but the adhesive was stronger then the rails, so I stopped before the removal process ruined my rails.

[Leon R]

Can you slip a razor blade or a string under to take them off?

[bartmanS4]

Can you slip a razor blade or a string under to take them off?

Yes, that's the way I did it prior to paint. Then I had the paint shop deal with getting all of the residual adhesive and tape left over.

[Chopper]

3M adhesive remover will do the trick

[Leon R]

3M adhesive remover will do the trick

Would that be after the removal of the rails?

[Chopper]

Yes.....just use a heat gun to soften the Double sided tape, and ease the rail off. The 3M juice will take the remaining sticky off the roof and the plastic rail, without attacking the plastic or paint

[Chopper]

**Frustrating thing is, this car was never a DD.
It has never been rained on or parked outdoors.
It lives in a climate controlled slot, in it's carcover.....
The(chalk) builders marks on the frame, are as clear as the day they were made....the paper labels on the axle and driveshafts are still very legible.
This never should have happened:upsetgray
oh well:p:badhorse::_wrench::_wrench::laughing:

[Vendetta]

Yeesh, that's rough, Chopp. That little OCD part of me feels your pain.

But my new take is that this:

...this car was never a DD.
It has never been rained on or parked outdoors.
It lives in a climate controlled slot, in it's carcover.....
The(chalk) builders marks on the frame, are as clear as the day they were made....the paper labels on the axle and driveshafts are still very legible.


...should never have happened. :eekgray:

Ya can't keep perfect perfect forever. Good thing is though, once perfect is out the window, you can really start enjoying stuff! Go drive through a puddle. :winkgray:

-V

[Leon R]

I just removed the "clips" for the roof rack, just to realize that I didn't have to do it to remove the rails...

And... I noticed that my southern, rust free VX, also has that bubbling around one of the rail mounting holes. I suspect I will discover more, as I remove the rails (rust belt cars must be much worse!!!). Good thing I noticed it now! I am beginning to really dislike ANYTHING that puts holes in the roof, which means I can live without the roof rails and roof racks! Unfortunately, those rails are now on almost all new vans, SUVs and even wagons :(

Next related question, how do you remove the small black trim from the rain gutter?

[longiotti]

to remove the rails do you remove the headliner and there are bolt heads with the bolts aiming up?
sorry just trying to clearify

[bartmanS4]

to remove the rails do you remove the headliner and there are bolt heads with the bolts aiming up?
sorry just trying to clearify

Yes, that is correct.

[longiotti]

Yes, that is correct.

that sucks. isn't it a pain to remove the headliner?

[Leon R]

YES! EVERYTHING about this job is major PITA!

To remove the headliner, you have to first remove the interior panels, which is in itself a project! Headliner is much larger than it seems, makes sure that panels on one side are totally off!

Then, even after you remove the rail mounting screws, it is glued to the roof with the double sided tape! I had to ruin a thin stake knife to get them off!

My positives were:

- Replaced blown rear speakers
- Car was repainted without ugly "masking screwups".
- Repaired rust under the rails (turned out to be under just one, front hole)

I reinstalled rails using black Silicone RTV, instead of double sided tape.

[longiotti]

I just replaced my speaker last month LOL

[rQUOTE=Leon R;284358]YES! EVERYTHING about this job is major PITA!

To remove the headliner, you have to first remove the interior panels, which is in itself a project! Headliner is much larger than it seems, makes sure that panels on one side are totally off!

Then, even after you remove the rail mounting screws, it is glued to the roof with the double sided tape! I had to ruin a thin stake knife to get them off!

My positives were:

- Replaced blown rear speakers
- Car was repainted without ugly "masking screwups".
- Repaired rust under the rails (turned out to be under just one, front hole)

I reinstalled rails using black Silicone RTV, instead of double sided tape.[/QUOTE]