Torque for Later (2003 to 2007) Roof Rack to Roof Bolts

[Snow Wagon]

Hello Forum,
After much internet, forum, and FSM searching, I am unable to find the answer...

The later (2003 to 2007) roof racks use a different configuration and have different hardware than the early ones.
I found a spec for 1998, but IMO that doesn't apply to the later racks.
The spec for 1998 was in what appeared to be a Toyota FSM Addendum, which was just a couple pages dedicated to the roof rack.
The 2004 FSM contains no info / diagrams / etc. for the roof rack.
Anyone ever see a Toyota / dealer install sheet for a later rack?

I'm looking for the spec for the (10) M8 x 1.25 Bolts that attach the roof rack to the roof.
They are regular hex bolts that use a 12mm socket.

Standard Toyota spec for M8 is 21 Ft. Lbs, but that seems pretty high, considering the early ones (1998) are 65 In Lbs.

Thank you.
Tom

 

[Super77]

I don't have a number for you, but you can't compare the early ones to the later ones. The early ones are rubber-sleeved shoulder bolts, later ones are more conventional M8 hex bolts as you point out. If your rack's towers are plastic, I'd go less than 21 ft-lb to avoid cracking it, and maybe use a bit of Loctite for insurance. That plastic may have been fine getting torqued down 20 years ago, but today it will be more brittle.

I like these for fastening plastic:

The flange spreads out the load and gives you more contact area under the head.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Tops 9 ft-lbs of torque for an M8 bolt.
FSM with 8MM bolts is typically 7 ft-lbs.

 

[Snow Wagon]

Here’s a couple of pics of the bolts and of one of the aluminum feet from a 2005 Land Cruiser. The bolts have a built-in washer. The bolts are M8 x 1.75” long. The only plastic is the covers, which snap / clip on as the last step. The small aluminum feet on each foot go down into the channel on the roof.

To further clarify, the feet are aluminum and the side rails are aluminum. The ends of the cross bars are "heavy" plastic and the main portion of the cross bars are aluminum. No portion of what the bolts run through is plastic.

OEMGUY0720. Your post is incorrect. You’re quoting close to standard torque for a M6 bolt, not a M8 bolt. Toyota M6 bolts usually require a 10mm socket. Toyota M8 bolts usually require a 12mm socket.

 

[Super77]

ah, got it. I have the older design with the shoulder bolts and plastic towers/structure. With a big washer and aluminum structure, I see no reason not to use the standard torque called out in the FSM.

 

[Snow Wagon]

After much consideration, and input from Super77, I decided on 14 Ft Lbs for the final torque.
Here's the process I used for a 2005 Land Cruiser OEM Roof Rack...

Loosely Install All (10) Roof Rack to Roof Bolts to Confirm Alignment
Remove All (10) Roof Rack to Roof Bolts After Confirming Alignment

Apply a Little Loctite PL Marine Polyether Adhesive Sealant on the Bottom of the Left Center Rubber Foot Seal on the Flat Portion where the Locating Spike goes Down
- This is to Seal the Left Side Screw Hole that Doesn’t have a Screw

Apply a Little Loctite PL Marine Polyether Adhesive Sealant to the Middle of the Threads on each of the (5) Roof Rack to Roof Bolts and Hand Tight in the following Order:
- Middle Left
- (2) Front Left
- (2) Rear Left

Apply a Little Loctite PL Marine Polyether Adhesive Sealant on the Bottom of the Right Center Rubber Foot Seal on the Flat Portion where the Locating Spike goes Down
- This is to Seal the Right Side Screw Hole that Doesn’t have a Screw

Apply a Little Loctite PL Marine Polyether Adhesive Sealant to the Middle of the Threads on each of the (5) Roof Rack to Roof Bolts and Hand Tight in the following Order:
- Middle Right
- (2) Front Right
- (2) Rear Right

Torque All (10) Roof Rack to Roof Bolts to 7 Ft Lbs in the following Order:
- Middle Right
- Middle Left
- Front Right, Closer to Middle
- Rear Left, Closer to Middle
- Rear Right, Closer to Middle
- Front Left, Closer to Middle
- Front Right, Farther from Middle
- Rear Left, Farther from Middle
- Rear Right, Farther from Middle
- Front Left, Farther from Middle

Torque All (10) Roof Rack to Roof Bolts to 14 Ft Lbs in the Same Order as the Previous Step.

Enjoy.
Tom