Anyone replaced factory roof rails on car?

irishguy19772

bought a second hand car. unfortunately the factory installed rails (ones that are flush with the car) have 4 badly corroded brackets where the roof bar bolts would thread into. to get to the brackets would have to rip off the covers which are bolted underneath so a mechanic is probably needed.

anyone ever source new rails online and have them installed? would prefer to get rails where there is a gap between rail and roof.

colm_mcm

What car is it?

irishguy19772

Sorry, it's a mazda 2 2003.

colm_mcm

That's the kinda boxy one?

I think you prob should be looking for universal cross bars that clamp onto your original rails.

irishguy19772

yeah its a boxy one.

got a pair of universal cross bars that clamp onto rails, but dont see how they clamp properly on rails without the gap underneath the rail and the car. the factory rails on the car dont even have any grooves at the bottom that the feet on the bars I got could clasp onto securely.

colm_mcm

Oh wait. Are these closed rails (as in there's no gap between the rail and the roof)?

irishguy19772

yeah. and unfortunately the 4 bolt holes and brackets they are in are completely corroded and the threads all mangled.

colm_mcm

You're pretty screwed then as far as I know.
Easiest solution I can think of is to drill the bolts and get them out with easy-outs. then use regular roof rails that clamp onto the area around the top of the door.
I don't think the proper Mazda ones could be got as that generation 2 is out of production around 10 years now. Might be worth checking with a Mazda dealer.

Beasty

Moved from Canoeing & Kayaking

Special Circumstances

Halfords should have a kit that will fit closed/flush rails. Thule if you have the bobs.