I was planning on doing away with the original roof rack and just attach the Yakima rack when I need it.
I've seen photos of other roofs once the rack is removed and I was expecting the worst.
I easily removed all screws from the rack and found all four corners looked much like the one corner shown in the first photo.
I got out the polish, used a bit of finger grease, rubbed and rubbed, and finally got it cleaned up to look like what it is now, as shown in the second photo. It's the same corner, before and after, honest.
All the remaining corners are the same as this. It's been a California 80 all its life, so I guess that helped.
With zero rust on the nutserts, I'm thinking of just primering then painting the wear line, cutting a rubber seal to go under the hard plastic rack corners and then reattaching the original rack. I would also use metal-safe RTV when I re-insert the screws.
Has anyone else opted for this and kept the original rack?
My main reason for this train of thought is to keep it as aerodynamic as possible but keep a rack as I do need and use it every now and then.
Yeah, the Yakima has the cool bling factor going for it, but isn't as aerodynamic and whistles without the fairing.
I'm on a mission to crack 19mpg. I'm close. I know it's within reach.
If I keep the original rack I would get rid of the Yakima.
Thanks for your feedback.
I've seen photos of other roofs once the rack is removed and I was expecting the worst.
I easily removed all screws from the rack and found all four corners looked much like the one corner shown in the first photo.
I got out the polish, used a bit of finger grease, rubbed and rubbed, and finally got it cleaned up to look like what it is now, as shown in the second photo. It's the same corner, before and after, honest.
All the remaining corners are the same as this. It's been a California 80 all its life, so I guess that helped.
With zero rust on the nutserts, I'm thinking of just primering then painting the wear line, cutting a rubber seal to go under the hard plastic rack corners and then reattaching the original rack. I would also use metal-safe RTV when I re-insert the screws.
Has anyone else opted for this and kept the original rack?
My main reason for this train of thought is to keep it as aerodynamic as possible but keep a rack as I do need and use it every now and then.
Yeah, the Yakima has the cool bling factor going for it, but isn't as aerodynamic and whistles without the fairing.
I'm on a mission to crack 19mpg. I'm close. I know it's within reach.
If I keep the original rack I would get rid of the Yakima.
Thanks for your feedback.
