New user...Lost factory roof rack clips?!?!?

[SEoverland]

Been using this forum for years and always found great advice/info. Finally forced to become full on registered user today which I guess is my silver lining. Just added ironman 4x4 front bumper and suspension to my 2016 LC over the last couple of weeks. I figured the front runner rack would be a breeze. Oops!

After digging through an old factory rack removal thread, I know I definitely lost the driver side front clip. Front bolt is out, can see clear into roof, back bolt just spins and I can hear the clip spinning and rubbing inside the roof but it never spins back around so that's its visible through forward hole. Good chance I also lost front passenger clip but I think I can salvage that as I can still see the yellow sleeve.

Dealer can't get me in for a few days and I'm sure they'll have it at least a week and a half. I'd like to do the repair myself. All ready ordered 4 new clips that should be in by the 27th.

First Question: Do I just cut the head off the bolt that spins, let it fall in, retrieve and start from scratch when the new ones arrive? Or do I get the headliner back far enough to access the spinning clip and try to back the bolt out salvaging the clip?

Second Question: The interior B-pillar trim will have to be removed to pull the headliner back. I started this but got nervous with the amount of force I was prying with. Can anyone give me the sequence/hints on getting this trim off? The front clip sits almost directly over the B-pillar. Those that have tried....is it a terrible idea to access the clips through he headliner? I'll need a pretty good view/room to get the new clip up there. The last thing I want is paying the dealership to fix my headliner as well.

Thanks for the help. Wish my first post was under better circumstances.

 

[tbisaacs]

Sorry to hear - it’s super easy to do.

I would for sure try to retrieve the clip if you can. I lost one and didn’t fish it out and occasionally hear it clanking around.

 

[lx200inAR]

I lost the 2nd from front driver clip when I changed out my rack. I’m surprised you can’t line the other hole back up with one bolt still in the bracket. I had both bolts removed and went to drop the rack on, the brackets fell off the clip and into the headliner. I would spend a little more time trying to line up the lower bracket with the roof hole, but if that doesn’t work, what I did is below.

I removed the B pillar cover as well as the driver roof handle. I don’t think I touched the A pillar, but it’s not hard to remove. Once that was removed, I was able to get my hand in enough to find the bracket and get it positioned to put a bolt back in it through the roof. I don’t remember the exact mechanics but I managed to get the 2nd bolt started through the above roof bracket without removing the bolt holding the inner bracket. Then I removed the first bolt and retreaded it going through the above roof bracket.

One note, dont try to remove the 2nd row roof vent. It’s only attached to the headliner, so doesn’t help to remove And you will just break it.

it was posted (link below) here a bit ago, but someone discovered you can get M8x1.25 threaded studs from Amazon cheaply. You can use these by replacing one bolt at a time with one, this will guarantee you don’t lose a bracket into the roof and you can still easily install.

Post in thread 'What have you done to your 200 Series this week?'
What have you done to your 200 Series this week? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/what-have-you-done-to-your-200-series-this-week.818471/post-13807417

Thread 'Roof rack removal tip'
Roof rack removal tip - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/roof-rack-removal-tip.1257591/

 

[SEoverland]

Thats good advice. Very helpful. I'll give it another shot. As far as removing upper b-pillar trim...is it as simple as pulling driver and second row handles? I've done both and can get my fingers behind it but there looks to be some kind of retain clip at the top and I don't want to break it. Remove bottom plastic trim first?

 

[Sandroad]

There are some maybe useful hints in this thread.

How to remove headliner?

I need to replace airbags and some seat belts in my 08. I'm wondering if anyone has advice for taking down the headliner? Obviously I'll be taking trim panels off the pillars and around doors to access the seat belts, and I have a proper trim remover tool kit, but I have a feeling I'm going to...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[lx200inAR]

Thats good advice. Very helpful. I'll give it another shot. As far as removing upper b-pillar trim...is it as simple as pulling driver and second row handles? I've done both and can get my fingers behind it but there looks to be some kind of retain clip at the top and I don't want to break it. Remove bottom plastic trim first?

I think I removed everything from the floor up on the b pillar. I think there may be one bolt that has to come out, but I can’t remember exactly. The 2 lower pieces just pull out. I can’t remember if I unbolted the seat belt or not. I don’t think it’s necessary.