I purchased the recommended roof rack for my 2009 Clubman S last winter and had to have the assistance of a dealership employee to remove. I have now tried to reinstall, but I can't get one of the brackets to engage properly. It was extremely difficult to get the 3 to engage, but one is absolutely impossible.
Any ideas or is there a better rack out there? The clamping mechanism consists of two brackets that bow out and need force to get them close enough together to get the upper flange/washer on the nut to catch and pull them down as you tighten.

 

I also had issues getting my OEM racks to slide the tabs into the slots in the car.

My first attempt had me using a wooden block and a hammer to tap the things into place. Once they're in properly, tightening the bolt is easy.

When I asked about this, it was suggested that I (a) use a lubricant on the moving parts [lithium grease was suggested], and (b) loosen the bolts holding the crossbars and not tighten them again until the rack is clamped down.

Unfortunately, I loosened the crossbar bolts too far and had the bolts drop out onto my roof. No damage to the roof, but I will have to figure out how I'm going to get the nuts to stay in place while I screw the bolts back in. <sigh> Maybe some chewing gum will work. Been too busy the last few weeks to even think about putting the racks back on. Perhaps I'll put them back on and just leave them for the rest of the summer.

--
Darryl

 

They can be a pain to figure out. I've taken mine off and reinstalled once. I need a really good reason to put them back on again. I wouldn't leave them on, though, because the wind noise is appreciable on the freeway.

 

I take mine on an off every time I need to use them. In fact i just put them on this morning to carry a ladder for work.

It should only take you about 3 minutes at most to put them on if they have been adjusted to the car properly.

Check the thread linked below. A long time ago I wrote "proper instructions" on how to put the rack on and adjust it properly. The ones that come with the OEM Base Rack System are not correct. Many people have used these instructions and remove and install their racks without problems. Also at least three dealers with in 100 mile of me and a few others all use my instruction over the ones that come with the rack system.

Follow these instructions and you should have no problem getting the racks on and off the car. And yes a little lithium grease will make the moving parts move easier to allow them to go on and off more easily.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-roofrack.html