Oem roof rack rusting beneath footing

[IslandCruiser808]

My 99 LC has sprung a leak recently after the heavy storms we have had recently in Hawaii. I have had moisture in the rear of the cargo area and have been trying to track it down. In the process I have looked at my roof rack and pulled the covers off the footing. I have found some rusting area around the bolts that secure the rails to the roof. The rust is not on all footing but in one in particular. Drivers rear. I know that I need to replace most of the roof rack trim but for now I need to seal the bolts to stop the water from intruding. Where the holes are for the bolts it looks like something on top like a metal gasket and not sure if it’s replaceable but definitely rusted. I have read lots of posts about removing the roof rack and that is the plan but in the meantime until Eduardo Deniro shows up I am only able to try and waterproof the bolts until I can afford the trim pieces etc….Any advise on rust removal/remediation and if these areas that are rusted are replaceable. Thanks in advance and patience with my descriptions/ pictures. Aloha

 

[IslandCruiser808]

My 99 LC has sprung a leak recently after the heavy storms we have had recently in Hawaii. I have had moisture in the rear of the cargo area and have been trying to track it down. In the process I have looked at my roof rack and pulled the covers off the footing. I have found some rusting area around the bolts that secure the rails to the roof. The rust is not on all footing but in one in particular. Drivers rear. I know that I need to replace most of the roof rack trim but for now I need to seal the bolts to stop the water from intruding. Where the holes are for the bolts it looks like something on top like a metal gasket and not sure if it’s replaceable but definitely rusted. I have read lots of posts about removing the roof rack and that is the plan but in the meantime until Eduardo Deniro shows up I am only able to try and waterproof the bolts until I can afford the trim pieces etc….Any advise on rust removal/remediation and if these areas that are rusted are replaceable. Thanks in advance and patience with my descriptions/ pictures. AlohaView attachment 4125927

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Is it possible that the rusted parts are part of the track that goes into the roof gutter ?

 

[frawstme]

I just dealt with this not too long ago but not nearly as bad of a scale.

I ordered the bolts with factory double washers (they came in the mail today). In the meantime I sanded and then applied rust reverser to the rusted area, taped and painted white over top + clear coat. Only the inside of the drip channel was painted so color matching really doesn't matter as it'll be hidden

I did apply gasket maker to the holes that I had bolts for. Is that rusted area still able to screw bolts in or is it too bad?

 

[IslandCruiser808]

I just dealt with this not too long ago but not nearly as bad of a scale.

I ordered the bolts with factory double washers (they came in the mail today). In the meantime I sanded and then applied rust reverser to the rusted area, taped and painted white over top + clear coat. Only the inside of the drip channel was painted so color matching really doesn't matter as it'll be hidden

I did apply gasket maker to the holes that I had bolts for. Is that rusted area still able to screw bolts in or is it too bad?

Yes the bolts all went back in and hand tightened. Is the rusty area part of a drip channel that can be replaced or part of the roof.

 

[frawstme]

On mine is it part of the roof. Yours kind of looks like it has some sort of panels there, though. There is only a one year difference between yours and mine. Here's a pic of mine, it's sloppy right now because I've been waiting for the bolts to come in

 

[Mike NXP]

Aren't the rusty things being shown in OP just like little pads that go under the rack? Pretty sure I threw mine in the trash when replacing my rack . You could replace them with rubber block / spacer / bushing or something similar from hardware store

The key here is to clean up the threads and make sure you use an appropriate sealant . This is what you want. the 3M 4000. It is under water - waterproof but can be removed in the future if needed. They have another version, I think 4200 which is more permanent but not suggested.

 

[frawstme]

Aren't the rusty things being shown in OP just like little pads that go under the rack? Pretty sure I threw mine in the trash when replacing my rack . You could replace them with rubber block / spacer / bushing or something similar from hardware store

The key here is to clean up the threads and make sure you use an appropriate sealant . This is what you want. the 3M 4000. It is under water - waterproof but can be removed in the future if needed. They have another version, I think 4200 which is more permanent but not suggested.

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Ohh that's possible, mine didn't have a rack when I bought it. I would have assumed that they would just lift out of that's the case, those kinda look welded in but it's hard to tell. I did use thread chasers on mine before I sealed them too, I wasn't sure how bad his rust was tho.

The fact that only that section is rusted makes me think too much weight was put on the rack and that dented the area in a bit, so when it rains the water sits on that spot

 

[Mike NXP]

Ohh that's possible, mine didn't have a rack when I bought it. I would have assumed that they would just lift out of that's the case, those kinda look welded in but it's hard to tell. I did use thread chasers on mine before I sealed them too, I wasn't sure how bad his rust was tho.

The fact that only that section is rusted makes me think too much weight was put on the rack and that dented the area in a bit, so when it rains the water sits on that spot

Yeah and for sure reason I can't find the roof rack on parts diagrams but I'm pretty damn sure those are just little rubber pads that sit between the rack and roof... I could be wrong.

@IslandCruiser808 , am I understanding correctly? Is that part of your roof or can you lift up and remove the rusty piece shown in your picture?

 

[Mike NXP]

Different model years have different styles but look HERE to get an idea of what's going on. I'm pretty positive those are just spacers. Remove em, replace em with OEM if you can find part number or just go to hardware store and get creative.

@nakman is the roof rack guru with all the answers

 

[nakman]

@IslandCruiser808 to remove those I use a big flat screwdriver. Insert screwdriver into the center hole, pry it back a bit, and it should pop up. plan B is a plastic trim removal tool from the side, but try the screwdriver trick first. option C is jab a chisel in from the side... the other 2 methods don't harm the paint though. hth

 

[frawstme]

If it's any use here's the part number for a ten pack

 

[Pinittowinit]

I just removed my rack last weekend. I had to saw through the plastic and get creative as the mount bolts were rusted. I pulled the trim pieces as well. Roof frame was rust free just the steel mount pads were horribly rusted. Replaced all the bolts with Stainless steel ones with a drop of sealant.
I would not replace the trim as it keeps water under there. Aloha from Maui

 

[IslandCruiser808]

If it's any use here's the part number for a ten pack

I just removed my rack last weekend. I had to saw through the plastic and get creative as the mount bolts were rusted. I pulled the trim pieces as well. Roof frame was rust free just the steel mount pads were horribly rusted. Replaced all the bolts with Stainless steel ones with a drop of sealant.
I would not replace the trim as it keeps water under there. Aloha from Maui

Thank you, I was wondering about those pads. I didn’t know if they were welded on the roof or what. I was just gathering info from you mudders and didn’t have any new bolts or silicone to get into it and fix it. How much were the bolts and washers? Toyota dealership here in Kona tried to charge me $28 dollars for 2 of the bolts for my skid plates. Servco(used to be Big Island Toyota) are out of their minds trying to chargethat much Guy said that didn’t include shipping. I got like 14 of them from Partsouq for that price, along with a bunch of other stuff.

I just removed my rack last weekend. I had to saw through the plastic and get creative as the mount bolts were rusted. I pulled the trim pieces as well. Roof frame was rust free just the steel mount pads were horribly rusted. Replaced all the bolts with Stainless steel ones with a drop of sealant.
I would not replace the trim as it keeps water under there. Aloha fr

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[IslandCruiser808]

So your bolts aren’t covered. Do you plan on leaving them or putting an aftermarket rack on later.

 

[Pinittowinit]

So your bolts aren’t covered. Do you plan on leaving them or putting an aftermarket rack on later.

Mine arent covered. I used stainless bolts and put a drop of sealant under the flange on the bolts. I will also take a q-tip and "paint" the bolt heads with sealant when I get around to it. I have no use for a rack. I throw everything in the back anyway. hell I dont even have interior anymore other than seats HAHAHA

 

[IslandCruiser808]

Mine arent covered. I used stainless bolts and put a drop of sealant under the flange on the bolts. I will also take a q-tip and "paint" the bolt heads with sealant when I get around to it. I have no use for a rack. I throw everything in the back anyway. hell I dont even have interior anymore other than seats HAHAHA

I am living out of mine at this time. Only front seats. Plenty of room for cooler and some cooking stuff as well as clothing. I’m in Hawaii so no cold weather unless you go to Mauna Kea or Volcanoes National Park. At some point I will put another rack on, good for an awning too. Thanks

 

[Pinittowinit]

I am living out of mine at this time. Only front seats. Plenty of room for cooler and some cooking stuff as well as clothing. I’m in Hawaii so no cold weather unless you go to Mauna Kea or Volcanoes National Park. At some point I will put another rack on, good for an awning too. Thanks

I had a yamaka 270 awning and ditched it for this. Way easier to setup and 1200.00 cheaper. Its all the Awning anyone needs. The way it attaches is genius. Just cinched from rim to rim. Roadhouse Tarp - https://slumberjack.com/roadhouse-tarp/