Hi
@Beormund ! I sympathise completely with your post.
Here are some ideas if you haven't started as yet :
The following is what I discovered coupled with some hints from my very helpful "new best friends" in the dealer workshop!
Tools: You'll need a 10mm socket/spanner and a narrow flat ruler marked in mm. A tape measure with a 90deg tab on the end isn't suitable for reasons which will become apparent.
Firstly, lay both bars on a flat surface parallel and next to each other.
NOTE: each bar has a Rhino Rack emblem on one vertical face at the end.
* Arrange the bars so they are laying "top-side" down ...i.e. the underside is facing upwards so that when the bars are the right way "up" both emblems will be at the same end and on the same side of the vehicle, both facing forward or both facing backwards...(choices, choices!
)
* Note that each bar has a plastic end insert in each . Unlock the insert with the coloured plastic key and slide it out of the bar...do this for both bars at both ends.
*In the box/plastic bags of nuts/bolts etc find the M8 bolts with 20mm square flat heads...there are 8 of them.
*Slide two bolts into each bar at each end.
* Collect the 8 washers and M8 nylock nuts ...the nuts require a 10mm socket /spanner
* Take one of the legs and position it over one end of the bar with the bolts protruding from below
*Align the bolts with the holes and lower the leg into position. Fit the washer and nut and tighten sufficiently to hold in place but enabling you to slide the leg along the bar.
*Repeat until each leg is fitted
*Now rotate the bars so they stand on their legs and check that the emblems are in the correct place (if you're a stickler for uniformity!
*Place the bars back as before so they are laying with the legs upwards.
NOTE: On advice from my dealer/agent, it appears that the gutters may not be exactly parallel. There is a slight convergence towards the rear between front and rear bars with the distance between the support legs on the rear bar being narrower by a few mm. These are the "secret numbers" 60mm and 55-60mm!
* Decide which bar will be at the front and which one at the rear of the vehicle.
*
For the front bar, take the ruler and slide it flat along the bar to meet the leg such that by sliding the leg the distance between the end of the bar and the leg is
60mm. Tighten the nuts enough so the bar doesn't easily move...don't overtighten.
Repeat for the other leg...same distance 60mm.
*
For the rear bar
Repeat as above but the distance is 55-60mm which can only be confirmed when you offer the bars up to the vehicle and see how they sit in the roof gutter.
I used a pieces of the plastic bags in the packaging to protect the gutter while setting the bars in place to avoid scratching. May pay to have an extra pair of hands for the initial setup
Once the bar is in position and aligned, offer up the retaining bracket with the appropriate length torx screws which are fixed using the tool supplied. Once you are satisfied and the leg bases are close to the roof, you can then tighten the 10mm nuts and torx screws.
*Press the plastic end pieces into place and lock with the key
Track inserts:
There is a bunch of track inserts. I was advised to insert them into the top surface track and the forward facing track to minimise wind noise. HINT: Save the trim offcuts for patching when other fixtures are added . (They can be stowed in the rear facing slots!)
The bars with legs weigh 7kg each. I installed the inserts while the bars were clamped on a work bench. Others install them
in situ on the vehicle. Wherever is suitable. A light spray with soapy water helps to push the inserts into place.
Hope this helps!
(PS: I purchased two sets of bars ... dictated by clearance issues under the garage door. The benefits I realised however were that they were half the price of a roof rack and half the weight, with a lot of flexibility to use as many or as few as needed depending on requirements... and I can manage to fit/remove them solo which I couldn't do with the roof rack.)
)
