Interior/Exterior OEM roof rack installation & fairing
#1
06-23-2008, 08:12 AM
OEM roof rack installation & fairing
I am buying the OEM Roof Rack from Mini of Concord and I will be picking it up this weekend. I saw a while back there was step by step instructions on how to install the OEM mini roof rack. I have searched everywhere and I found the PDF version. I remember seeing a member taking pictures of each process as well. I am trying to find the pictures posted. Does anyone know if you can put the Thule or Yakima fairing on the OEM roof rack system? If so any special mods has to be made to make it fit. Do we get any special discount from Mini of Concord since we are a member here on NAM? PLEASE HELP!!!!!
Thanks
Jeff
Thanks
Jeff
#2
06-23-2008, 08:27 AM
RATTUS Deserticus
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Chandler, AZ; aka Lesser Phoenix, aka BFE
Posts: 1,579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#4
03-09-2009, 04:26 PM
Another question. According to a comment on MotoroingFile
http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/03/...roof-rack-pdf/
He states that you do not need to cut out the slot in the rain guard. Any truth to this? Pros and Cons?
I bought a 2007 Cooper S and the base support rack from the dealer. What a pain to install! It took 4 hours and a trip to the dealer (the service was too busy but the sales manager was very helpful). Learn from me and it will take you less than an hour! It’s really a two person job. Don’t bother cutting away the rain gunnel. The trick is to find the correct slot to stick the bracket into the roof. Use the plastic card as vertical as you can and then pry the gunnel toward yourself to reveal the steel slot. The plastic card will want to go into the slot but what you want to do is push it down past the slot and then pry the rubber gunnel back to reveal the proper slot. There are other slots so don’t be fooled, you must find the one that has a steel frame around it. Don’t use the book as a guide to find them. Measure from the front of the car door window 9 1/4″ (23.5cm) and 36 1/4″ (92cm) and you’ll find the beginning of the slot. The slot is just wide enough to fit the bracket into. The other trick is to loosen the nut until the brackets brake loose and opens out AND then push them back down and tighten the nut just enough so it holds them in the groove of the brass nut. If you don’t do this the brackets will be too wide for the slot and it won’t go in all the way. Do this step before you try to put it on the roof. As you tighten the nut down the brackets expand and keep it snug in the slot–its all based on tension to keep it in place. Therefore, its much easier if you use two people. Put one side in the slot and then for the other side pull the bar toward you and there should be just enough give to get it in the slot. Make sure you are careful as you can scratch the paint on the roof. Do not begin to tighten the nuts until both are in the slots all the way. Only then should you tighten the nuts. Tighten one side only a few turns of the wrench and alternate between the left and right side of the rack until both are tightened. You’ll know if you have the brackets in the slot correctly because the rubber pieces touch the roof and the rack doesn’t wiggle when you push on it. My front rack was much more difficult to get in the slot correctly so you might want to start with the back one first.
He states that you do not need to cut out the slot in the rain guard. Any truth to this? Pros and Cons?
#5
03-17-2009, 06:54 AM
Although the coop and cluman use slightly different racks (widths are different) the concept of installation is exactly the same.
Check this thread for a better installation instructions than what comes with the kit.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-roofrack.html
I can get mine on and off the car in less than 5 minutes. It is actually very easy to do once you really understand the concept.
EDIT: you do need to take ou the little cutouts but they will be filled with a piece that comes with the kit when the rack is taken off.
Check this thread for a better installation instructions than what comes with the kit.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-roofrack.html
I can get mine on and off the car in less than 5 minutes. It is actually very easy to do once you really understand the concept.
EDIT: you do need to take ou the little cutouts but they will be filled with a piece that comes with the kit when the rack is taken off.
#6
10-07-2009, 06:29 PM
I have the factory racks on my MCS. They are fine but if I had to do it again, I would opt for Thule or Yakama aftermarket racks, Thule manufactures the racks for MINI and the Thule fairing has an attachment that will let you attach to the factory racks. They look good but as a base rack system I would rather have purchased racks that would give me more options instead of only what MINI supplies.
#7
10-07-2009, 06:33 PM
I have the factory racks and there is removable plastic pieces where they grip into the roof. Keep them. Even though it is a PITA to put on and take off you definitely want to have that option. Also they come with instructions and all the tools you need. Keep that stuff too don't lose it.
Trending Topics
#8
10-08-2009, 06:03 AM
I have the factory racks on my MCS. They are fine but if I had to do it again, I would opt for Thule or Yakama aftermarket racks, Thule manufactures the racks for MINI and the Thule fairing has an attachment that will let you attach to the factory racks. They look good but as a base rack system I would rather have purchased racks that would give me more options instead of only what MINI supplies.
And by the way I have test fitted the Thule and it DOES NOT fit the car well and is actually harder to install than the OEM rack. It is also very loose and IMHO it may very well fall off the car at highway speeds. I would not trust it.
#9
10-08-2009, 10:52 AM
#10
10-08-2009, 06:36 PM
I just put on a stock roof rack with Thule fork mount carrier and fairing on my '07 S.
Rack was tricky until I took a step back and realized how simple it really was. It was a snap after that.
Fork mount carrier needs to be trimmed in the back (hacksaw works fine as the trim will cover the cut). The adapter sucks and ends up having play in the way the rear mounts. I'm going to drill a hole through the bike tray and bolt it direct to the rack with one of the Thule *****. Someone else posted a pic of it in a thread I found in a search. Looks like a much better solution.
A 710XT was the recommended fairing, but the aerobar mounting brackets were smaller than the stock rack's bars. I ended up cutting them off and using metal strips to attach the fairing to the load bar. Works fine.
After the issues were sorted, I was very happy with the setup. Still am.
Rack was tricky until I took a step back and realized how simple it really was. It was a snap after that.
Fork mount carrier needs to be trimmed in the back (hacksaw works fine as the trim will cover the cut). The adapter sucks and ends up having play in the way the rear mounts. I'm going to drill a hole through the bike tray and bolt it direct to the rack with one of the Thule *****. Someone else posted a pic of it in a thread I found in a search. Looks like a much better solution.
A 710XT was the recommended fairing, but the aerobar mounting brackets were smaller than the stock rack's bars. I ended up cutting them off and using metal strips to attach the fairing to the load bar. Works fine.
After the issues were sorted, I was very happy with the setup. Still am.
#11
10-08-2009, 11:24 PM
I just put on a stock roof rack with Thule fork mount carrier and fairing on my '07 S.
Rack was tricky until I took a step back and realized how simple it really was. It was a snap after that.
Fork mount carrier needs to be trimmed in the back (hacksaw works fine as the trim will cover the cut). The adapter sucks and ends up having play in the way the rear mounts. I'm going to drill a hole through the bike tray and bolt it direct to the rack with one of the Thule *****. Someone else posted a pic of it in a thread I found in a search. Looks like a much better solution.
A 710XT was the recommended fairing, but the aerobar mounting brackets were smaller than the stock rack's bars. I ended up cutting them off and using metal strips to attach the fairing to the load bar. Works fine.
After the issues were sorted, I was very happy with the setup. Still am.
Rack was tricky until I took a step back and realized how simple it really was. It was a snap after that.
Fork mount carrier needs to be trimmed in the back (hacksaw works fine as the trim will cover the cut). The adapter sucks and ends up having play in the way the rear mounts. I'm going to drill a hole through the bike tray and bolt it direct to the rack with one of the Thule *****. Someone else posted a pic of it in a thread I found in a search. Looks like a much better solution.
A 710XT was the recommended fairing, but the aerobar mounting brackets were smaller than the stock rack's bars. I ended up cutting them off and using metal strips to attach the fairing to the load bar. Works fine.
After the issues were sorted, I was very happy with the setup. Still am.
#12
12-03-2009, 08:05 PM
#13
12-04-2009, 11:37 AM
Best thing to do is call Yakima Customer Service and ask them for the kit number as i can not find it on their web site (their web site can be hard to use to find some obscure items).
Tell them you are using Thule "Aero Bars" they are the same dimensions as the OEM MINI bars.
You can all them at:
888-925-4621, Option 2, from 7am-5pm Pacific Time M-F.
#15
04-09-2011, 08:21 PM
Another OEM rack tip
When you loosen the brass nut that tightens the winged tabs that fit into the roof slot, don't back it out more than until the bolt threads are about flush with the nut flange...IOW don't apply a lot of force when loosening. The key for me that I missed the first time is to really get the winged flanges as far into the slot as possible before squeezing the wings together (using the tool thing, or not) and tightening the brass nut. If you don't get them pushed in before trying to the the nut to engage then the bracket won't be seated in the gutter and will protrude over the gutter.
#18
11-01-2013, 03:40 PM
6th Gear
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Nashvegas Tennisshoe
Posts: 4,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi JSKeith111 - I don't know the specs on the r53 oem rack, but my 2009 clubbie oem rack is very similar to the Thule Aero racks. I have been using a Thule fairing, which may work for you, as the "arms" that attach to the cross bars are flexible. I can arrange mine around my Thule cargo box.
That said...What I'm finding with my fairing is that the "arms" aren't necessarily long enough- and what I mean by that is when my sunroof is open, the windscreen pops up and raises the fairing up slightly, allowing wind to get in under it- this creates a good deal of noise.
I actually found your post as I'm trying to find a way to fix this problem and was wondering if any of the inventive minds here at NAM had any ideas!
Good luck! Oh- and I got mine at REI- the folks there are really good about helping out, and may allow you to "try it on" for size before buying (worst case, you can always buy and return it if it doesn't work).
That said...What I'm finding with my fairing is that the "arms" aren't necessarily long enough- and what I mean by that is when my sunroof is open, the windscreen pops up and raises the fairing up slightly, allowing wind to get in under it- this creates a good deal of noise.
I actually found your post as I'm trying to find a way to fix this problem and was wondering if any of the inventive minds here at NAM had any ideas!
Good luck! Oh- and I got mine at REI- the folks there are really good about helping out, and may allow you to "try it on" for size before buying (worst case, you can always buy and return it if it doesn't work).
#19
11-01-2013, 03:48 PM
2nd Gear
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NW Indiana (45 min south of Downtown Chicago)
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
Hi JSKeith111 - I don't know the specs on the r53 oem rack, but my 2009 clubbie oem rack is very similar to the Thule Aero racks. I have been using a Thule fairing, which may work for you, as the "arms" that attach to the cross bars are flexible. I can arrange mine around my Thule cargo box. That said...What I'm finding with my fairing is that the "arms" aren't necessarily long enough- and what I mean by that is when my sunroof is open, the windscreen pops up and raises the fairing up slightly, allowing wind to get in under it- this creates a good deal of noise. I actually found your post as I'm trying to find a way to fix this problem and was wondering if any of the inventive minds here at NAM had any ideas! Good luck! Oh- and I got mine at REI- the folks there are really good about helping out, and may allow you to "try it on" for size before buying (worst case, you can always buy and return it if it doesn't work).
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
1chaos52
F55/F56 :: Hatch Talk (2014+)
4
08-24-2015 01:28 PM
ECSTuning
Vendor Announcements
0
08-12-2015 01:24 PM