Here’s how you attach roof racks to your car’s roof.
Roof racks are an essential accessory for most people who own a vehicle. It allows us to carry things such as bicycles, skis, kayaks, etc., which would otherwise be impossible without one.
However, if you don’t know how to install a roof rack, you could end up damaging your vehicle.
In order to avoid this, you’ll first need to learn how to install a roof rack. After doing so, you’ll be able to safely transport anything you want.
This is a step-by-step guide on how to install a roof rack onto your car or truck that will show you how to mount the roof rack and connect it to your vehicle’s existing roof rails. Keep on reading and you should be able to do it yourselves with great ease!
Table of Contents
Make Sure You Have Got All The Tools
Before you begin to attach roof racks, make sure you have the proper tools for the job. First of all, you’ll need a pair of pliers.
Pliers are used to open up the bolts holding the roof rack in place so they can be removed. Next, you’ll want a screwdriver.
Screwdrivers come in many different sizes and shapes and are used to loosen or tighten nuts and bolts.
Finally, you’ll need a socket wrench. Socket wrenches are used to remove nuts and bolts from metal parts. If you don’t already own these items, stop at your local hardware store and buy them before beginning this project.
Now that you’ve got all of those tools, let’s get started!
Attach Roof Racks
Step 1: Remove Roof Rack Bolts
The first thing we’re going to do is remove the roof rack bolts. To do this, use your pliers to carefully pry off the nut that holds the bolt in place.
Once you’ve loosened the nut enough to pull it out, you can then slide the bolt out using your pliers. Repeat this process until every bolt has been removed.
If there are no nuts holding down the roof rack, you may simply be able to lift the roof rack up and off of your vehicle.
However, if you find yourself unable to remove the bolts without damaging the roof rack, you should probably just replace the entire roof rack with one that doesn’t require removing the bolts.
Step 2: Remove Roof Rack Frame
Next, we’re going to take the roof rack frame apart. The easiest way to do this is to unscrew each of the four screws that hold the frame together.
Once you’ve done this, you’ll see two pieces of plastic that run along the length of the roof rack. These pieces are called “rails” because they look like railings. They keep the roof rack from sliding around when you drive over bumps.
Once you’ve taken the roof rack frame apart, you’ll notice that the bottom piece of the frame is attached to the top piece using a couple of bolts.
Use your pliers to gently pry the bolts loose. Then, remove the bolts and the bottom piece of the roof rack frame.
Step 3: Install Roof Rack Rails
Once the roof rack frame has been separated into its individual pieces, you’ll next need to install the rails. This is where you’ll start attaching the roof rack to your vehicle. Start by placing the lower part of the roof rack back on your vehicle.
Then, slide the rails underneath the roof rack. Each of the rails should fit snugly between the roof rack and the body of your vehicle.
Now, you’ll need to insert the bolts through both the roof rack and the rails. Inserting the bolts through the roof rack and rails helps prevent the roof rack from moving while driving.
Once the roof rack is bolted in place, you can then reattach the upper now reattach the upper piece of the roof rack to the vehicle.
Slide the rails back under the roof rack, making sure they’re aligned properly. Attach the roof rack to your car using the same set of bolts as before.
Step 4: Reinstall Roof Rack: Reinstall Roof Rack Bolt
Now that the roof rack is installed, you’ll need to reinstall the bolts that were removed earlier. You’ll do this by taking the nuts off of the bolts and putting them back onto the bolts.
Then, bolts that originally held it onto the roof of your vehicle. First, make sure the roof rack is still securely fastened to the vehicle. If it’s not, you might want to consider replacing the roof rack with another model.
Now that you have the bolts back in their proper location, tighten them until they’re secure. Make sure to use the right size wrench for the bolt. Don’t overtighten the bolts or else you risk breaking the roof rack.
Step 5: Secure Roof Rack to Vehicle
Now that the roof rack is securely fastened to your vehicle, you’ll want to make sure that it’s level. You’ll be able to tell whether or not the roof rack is level if you look at the front and rear of the rack.
If there’s a gap between the front and rear of your roof rack, it means that you need to readjust it.
Fortunately, the process is pretty easy and the only thing you need to do to fix this problem is to simply loosen all of the bolts that hold the roof rack in place and then align it so that it’s perfectly straight.
Don’t forget to retighten the bolts in the end and you should be good to go!
Step 6: Clean Up Your Vehicle
One last step before you go though. After installing the roof rack, you’ll need to clean up any debris left behind.
Take the time to wipe away any dirt or grease that was left behind during installation, and make sure to regularly wash it to ensure that the roof rack will stay in good condition.
Summary
We hope our guide to attach roof racks was helpful. If you follow these steps it should be very easy for you to install your new roof rack to your car and head on to those great adventures you have planned!
