Replacement rubber strips for OEM cross members / roof rack

[elvisdonnelly]

Thanks so much for sharing! This must have taken some intense effort!

[VX KAT]

Thanks so much for sharing! This must have taken some intense effort!

Oh man, you don't know the half of it!
Been working on and experimenting for about 3+ months now....success tonight is sooooo sweet!

[VX KAT]

Success! Got the 2 new strips "modded" and inserted, look great.
Here's the new (Left) and OEM (Right) side by side:

[VX KAT]

Final assembly, both bars with new Thule top rubber strips.

• They're extremely snug to get into the channel, even after slicing BOTH sides where the "feet" meet the cap, it takes lots and lots of pushing to get them in.

• When the two "feet" get squeezed together to fit into the channel, it causes the mushroom cap to raise up in the middle, resulting in a little more curved top profile. So they aren't quite as "flat" as the OEM strips.

• Even though they're thicker, they still fit nicely under each end cap. I really cranked down those screws to give them a little extra "hold".
  

• I'm sure the Mighty Mounts will still fit, no problem, even though these are thicker since the Mighty Mounts have an adjustable screw for thickness.

• After they were in, I waited a few days to see if they popped out. A-OK so far.

• Final Impression: Pretty dang good replacement since OEMs aren't available. Good replacement option for anybody missing one or both of these.
  

From e-trailer.com:

~ $5.00 + shipping for the 47" long

~ $5.50 + shipping for the 53" long

~ I also ordered the 70.5" long strip for $10.95, but it's on back order. I "believe" it's the same size as the two above, but not quite sure since it's for a different set of bars. If it fits, you can get 2 strips from the one piece. (may save a little shipping, but otherwise no real advantage.)

http://www.etrailer.com/comparison.a...c2=TH853354407