I need to fit a pair of roof bars to the fixed point locations on my 2012.

The plastic strips that cover where the roof rails would go have 3 rubber/plastic buttons in each which can be removed, giving access to the female screw thread mounting points beneath, without having to remove the complete strips. But these buttons seem quite solid and secure, and I'm not sure if I can just prize them out? I've applied quite a bit of force (including twisting) to no avail and I don't want to break them off leaving a plug in the thread below.

Any ideas on the best way to get them out? Or do I just pull and hope?

Are they the part number VUB502130  16MY Estoril Blue SVR.............
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Last edited by PEACHY on Sat Mar 11 2017 6:12am. Edited 1 time in total

Bill Portland wrote:

I need to fit a pair of roof bars to the fixed point locations on my 2012.

The plastic strips that cover where the roof rails would go have 3 rubber/plastic buttons in each which can be removed, giving access to the female screw thread mounting points beneath, without having to remove the complete strips. But these buttons seem quite solid and secure, and I'm not sure if I can just prize them out? I've applied quite a bit of force (including twisting) to no avail and I don't want to break them off leaving a plug in the thread below.

Any ideas on the best way to get them out? Or do I just pull and hope?

Thanks Peachy and Pufftmw, that helps. I'll just pull a bit harder! I was hoping not to break them so I could put them back in when not using the bars (I expect they might whistle a bit otherwise), but I guess I could get some spares from somewhere. FYI, the only through bars I can find are Whispbar and they haven't tested the rear most mountings so won't recommend them, but I can't imagine there'll be a problem.

Bill, I might still have some plugs left over from fitting roof bars on my Freelander 2, if I can find them they are yours for the price of postage. I'll have a dig round in the garage tomorrow and let you know.

Cheers

Nige D3 LHD - great car !
RRS 2008 HSE in Java Black
Previous Cars Edited highlights
Alfa 4C
Audi S5
Disco 4
Alfa 939 Spider (250bhp)
Freelander 2 Dynamic
Lotus Elise S1

That'd be great, Nige! (what a forum this is!)

You can buy new plugs/firtrees from L/R RZM500041 about a £1.00 each if needed, there is also a plastic cap ACU3161about 25p each. Should you need any you can also buy the threaded bosses which screw into the roof panel part no. AYR500061 £4.00 each if required.

Cheers
Col

When I put my Rhino roof tracks on I had the same trouble getting them out and wrecked them - seems the way it is. Not a worry for me as my roof tracks are a permanent install - but I did think to myself that if I wanted to be able to remove and install as you do I would have to modify the new plugs so that they could be easily removed and installed.

No sure how but if unmodified would be hard to remove and reinstall.

Garry 07MY RRS TDV6
Arctic Frost
Aspen Interior

To fit Genuine L/R Roof Rails you have to modify the Longitudinal Trim Cover Strips by increasing the diameter of the hole to something like 13mm to 19mm if I remember correctly(you can just about make it out in no's 4 & 9 of the illustration), so if you wished to remove the rails the original plugs would be no use as they would be to small for the hole in the strip, I think the original plugs are as tight as they are because they are also used to retain the long trim cover strip when no rails are fitted, as I'm sure mine only had one of the large white plastic retaining clips each end of the strip from the factory, although as I did have some spare ones in the garage I fitted 5 or 6 each side when I fitted roof bars.

Bill If you care to pm me a email address I can send you a copy of the L/R fitting instructions as a pdf file if you wish unless of course you already have some.





Cheers
Col

Thanks Col (pm sent) and Garrycol

H Bill,

Found the plugs but I all honesty you'd be just as well buying new replacements as the postage cost would probably be more than the plugs if they're only a pound each.

Cheers

Nige D3 LHD - great car !
RRS 2008 HSE in Java Black
Previous Cars Edited highlights
Alfa 4C
Audi S5
Disco 4
Alfa 939 Spider (250bhp)
Freelander 2 Dynamic
Lotus Elise S1

Thanks Nige, I'll see if I can get some locally.

If not, I'll be in touch again

Cheers!