Cross bar removal

[jsloden]

Hey everyone, I have an 01 lx470 with the standard roof rack. I am wondering if there is a way to remove the cross bars without taking the entire roof rack off. I tried searching but couldn't really find a definite answer. I found directions on how to remove the entire rack but was unable to figure out if the cross bars can be removed separately. Any advice on this is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Greenbean]

Hey everyone, I have an 01 lx470 with the standard roof rack. I am wondering if there is a way to remove the cross bars without taking the entire roof rack off. I tried searching but couldn't really find a definite answer. I found directions on how to remove the entire rack but was unable to figure out if the cross bars can be removed separately. Any advice on this is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Hmmm,

I don’t believe so unless your willing to cut it out and then demolish the ends and pick them out of the track. Being careful to not damage the original side bars still mounted.

Now on my LC I had 6 feet, well the center two really kept the rack pinned down even after removing the front and rear foot bolts. I’m wondering if maybe you could get either the front or rear lifted just a bit to get the Torx bit that holds the ends onto the front and rear running segments to let the cross bar come out. With a super short ratcheting right angle screwdriver and the right Torx bit you might be able to do it that way.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[jsloden]

Hmmm,

I don’t believe so unless your willing to cut it out and then demolish the ends and pick them out of the track. Being careful to not damage the original side bars still mounted.

Now on my LC I had 6 feet, well the center two really kept the rack pinned down even after removing the front and rear foot bolts. I’m wondering if maybe you could get either the front or rear lifted just a bit to get the Torx bit that holds the ends onto the front and rear running segments to let the cross bar come out. With a super short ratcheting right angle screwdriver and the right Torx bit you might be able to do it that way.

Hope that makes sense.

Thanks for the reply. Mine just has the front and rear feet. No center. I might be able to contort the bars enough to get them out but I doubt it. I have a roof basket that is wide enough to attatch directly to the bars running the length of the vehicle. The cross bars sort of mess that plan up because they are in the way. I have had it attatched to the cross bars but they seem pretty flimsy. The basket bounces whenever you go over any bumps.

 

[Mike NXP]

I did this recently. They won't bend enough to pop out without damaging. At a minimum you need to remove the rear feet. This will allow the cross bars to slide out. It's not that bad but you need a larger Torx bit and some good sealant to re-install the bolts. I used teflon tape and JB weld marine silicone.

>> Wait so why do you want to remove them? Your roof basket is able to connect to the mounting rails? I assume to connect your basket you would need to slide the hardware into the channels anyway, requiring you to remove those rear feet. Those cross bars are stronger than they look, I've definitely walked across them before, they do flex a bit.


PS - I have 4 OEM cross bars that I will be removing soon to replace with an aftermarket rack if anyone out there wants to add some cross bars.