Fitting Gen V.W. Roof Bars

[Roccokid]

Hi, new (old)boy on the block 2 months since buying my Scirocco.
Need HELP!!!/info fitting V.W roof bars. V.W. Instructions supplied not Brill??.
i.e.
1. Front clamping (support) brackets, do they fit/insert into the 'location bolt' ?
"Insert the clamping bracket into positioning bolt A" . Have carefully tried
but seems no go, very tight.

2. Roof bar widths need adjusting "by V.W. authorised dealer" ?

Nothing in 'Roccopedia', any voluteers?

Any help appreciated Taaa Roccokid

[uklee]

I fitted mine the other week with no problems - i just followed the instructions ?



The front bar is the one with the slot in the feet. Use the tool ( like a thin piece of plastic ) , to hold the seal down whilst you locate the slot onto the peg in the seal channel . Push the foot inwards and forwards at the same time until it's located properly.

Lee

[Roccokid]

Thks for info Lee. My mistake, bit embarrassing !! what I was doing
wrong, but all fitted up now.
Taaa martin

[uklee]

Lol , spill the beans then ?
What was you trying to do ?

[Roccokid]

OOOOOOpppsss!!, Using the High Tec, Fine zero Tollerance, 'Plastic Tool' I mistook front
bracket ' locating bolt' cunningly hiddenI hasten to add, between rubber and roof for a body clip nearby,
assume holding the rubber seal. Lump hammer and Sledge hammer, didn't persuade
the bracket into the wrong clip. I reached for my bolt detecting sensor with earphones and after locating
correct bolt, all fitted within 10 mins.
Taa martin

[uklee]

Lol yeah , it is well hidden
Glad you got it sorted :-)

[risingblue78]

OOOOOOpppsss!!, Using the High Tec, Fine zero Tollerance, 'Plastic Tool' I mistook front
bracket ' locating bolt' cunningly hiddenI hasten to add, between rubber and roof for a body clip nearby,
assume holding the rubber seal. Lump hammer and Sledge hammer, didn't persuade
the bracket into the wrong clip. I reached for my bolt detecting sensor with earphones and after locating
correct bolt, all fitted within 10 mins.
Taa martin

You have me worried now.... I got mine on for the first time last night but it wasnt as smooth hooking on to the bolt as I would have liked - very awkward in fact. I am concerned I may have mounted it on to the clip you mention. To be honest the front bar does look a little bit too far forward (about an inch from the top of the windscreen). Can you give me a rough indication of how far back you found the bolt? (basic measurement from windscreen top to foot of first bar)

I didn't have the 'installation kit' so used a credit card. VW want £20 for a replacement kit - is it worth it?

Appreciate any help you can offer

[risingblue78]

Update on the above.... I also attached my rack to the clip (not the bolt). I thought it looked odd and was difficult to get on!

Now I know where to put it, I am conscious of not marking / splitting the rubber seal. I didnt get the installation tool but I wonder if I should? I tried using a credit card but it struck me there must be a better solution. Does anyone know where I can get the installation kit other than from VW? Im sure its not worth £20!

[mugginn]

Update on the above.... I also attached my rack to the clip (not the bolt). I thought it looked odd and was difficult to get on!

Now I know where to put it, I am conscious of not marking / splitting the rubber seal. I didnt get the installation tool but I wonder if I should? I tried using a credit card but it struck me there must be a better solution. Does anyone know where I can get the installation kit other than from VW? Im sure its not worth £20!

I had a nightmare getting mine fitted too - needed my Dad to help and even then it was a struggle.

I didn't have a fitting kit either, I actually have a credit card sized bottle opener made out of carbon fibre and it did the trick eventually, although it was a little too thick.

My advice, slide a credit card in (or something just as thin but a little stronger for more leverage - something wider / longer will be of more help too) at an angle, then slide it up so that the card is in at its sideways i.e. the longest side is behind the rubber. Once you're in, move the card to the exact location you want the bars to sit, then just pull down with a good bit of pressure, drop the mount in above and push it into place, then pull the card out towards you. Worked for me eventually, but the rubber is tough, I imagine it will soften up after a while but I don't think i'll ever take mine off considering the difficulty involved putting them on

One last tip, use some black insulating tip to keep both the top and bottom plastic flappy things from catching the wind and blowing off, I don't think you can buy these separately!

One question for you - how do you work the torque wrench? I'm not sure if mines broken or not but I can't get any arrows to line up or any clicking noise at all no matter how much tightened, worried I've either got it too tight and will damage the car or not tight enough that it could eventually loosen and come off - whats your experience?

Good luck Attached a few photos of mine if its any help to you!

http://d.pr/i/12VkG" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; / http://d.pr/i/19g7b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; / http://d.pr/i/AFUs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; / http://d.pr/i/1bYCw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[risingblue78]

Thanks for that - appreciate the tip. I think I will just keep my eye out for something suitable - not sure its worth £20 for a bit of VW plastic

Talking of which.... you can pick up replacement end caps from VW. but I think I will go with the tape in any event

I struggled with the torque wrench too if I am honest. Tool me a while to realise I had to align the arrows. I went by instinct on how tight it was (and gave the bars a good wobble!). I wasnt aware I should be hearing any clicking.... sorry, I realise thats no help at all

[mugginn]

Thanks for that - appreciate the tip. I think I will just keep my eye out for something suitable - not sure its worth £20 for a bit of VW plastic

Talking of which.... you can pick up replacement end caps from VW. but I think I will go with the tape in any event

I struggled with the torque wrench too if I am honest. Tool me a while to realise I had to align the arrows. I went by instinct on how tight it was (and gave the bars a good wobble!). I wasnt aware I should be hearing any clicking.... sorry, I realise thats no help at all

Yea, you'll come across something i'm sure, something a little bit wider than the actual plate would be perfect.

Did exact same thing with the wrench, I think you need to manually twist it until the arrows are offset, then when the bolts are tight enough (6nm), it should twist back automatically and align the arrows in the process, didn't happen for me though!

Don't suppose you have the part numbers for the end caps by any chance?

[cjl_rocco88]

When the two arrow points meet is when the torque of 6nm is reached