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Subaru Roof Rack Question (with pics)

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585.
Posts: 4059 - Karma: 77
So i have a 2008 subaru impreza sedan and after a year of folding a seat down and putting my skis in my trunk i decided to invest into one of these bad boys:

Click for larger image

after looking over the directions i decided to give it a try. i started with the back, and it went on super easy. i would say it took me maybe two minutes to get both sides attached and secured. then i went to the front and just couldnt get the screw to catch the hole and screw into the my roof (there are pre-drilled wholes along that black strip on top of my car for those non subaru owners) it seemed like the screw just wasnt long enough, and needed to be maybe a millimeter or two longer. after taking it to my subaru dealer and spending two hours waiting, not even three mechanics could get this thing on.

so i have come to you ns as my last resort, has anyone had this problem? any solution? i would really like to get this thing on because i just received my ski rack in the mail and if this thing doesnt connect to my car then i just wasted a bunch of money.

PS: they guys at subaru tried a different roof rack (same exact item, they thought maybe the one i had was just a defect) and it still wouldnt go on.
Dec 8 2010 11:04PM
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chardi
Posts: 5040 - Karma: 59
wait, because the screw wasn't long enough? couldn't you just get a longer screw?
Dec 8 2010 11:06PM
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585.
Posts: 4059 - Karma: 77
nah it came with four screws (two for the front, two for the back) and they were all the same size and they dont make any other size. i even tried using all four screws in the front and none of them worked, but all worked in the back
Dec 8 2010 11:09PM
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dylan.r.1080
Posts: 161 - Karma: 10
go to a hardware store, try a longer bolt, it will cost you like $.78 at the most.
Dec 8 2010 11:19PM
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chardi
Posts: 5040 - Karma: 59
yea thats what i was gonna say. they definitely make longer screws in the same size.
Dec 8 2010 11:22PM
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585.
Posts: 4059 - Karma: 77
i went to home depot tonight to buy different screws but my car is covered with snow and im just not in the mood to stand out in the cold and try that right now. it would be ideal if i could use the screws i was given so it doesnt fall off but if i have to use different screw then oh well as long as it stays on
Dec 8 2010 11:22PM
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dylan.r.1080
Posts: 161 - Karma: 10
If you take some closer pictures of the rack and mount i might be able to help you out some. You might be able to get it started with the longer bolt then swap it out for the original one.
Dec 8 2010 11:28PM
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mauromj7
Posts: 203 - Karma: 37
You can buy the same exact screw just longer. Figure out the size it is and hold long it is. Should be metric so it should start out with an m. Like m5. If all else fails, go to your local fasteners or fastenal. They well help ya out with the sizing and what not.
Dec 9 2010 1:18AM
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ACrombie
Posts: 61 - Karma: 144
maybe you put the one for the front on the back, if there is any difference between the two.
Dec 9 2010 1:34AM
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MEGAZORD
Posts: 4531 - Karma: -7
Return it and get a thule one?
Dec 9 2010 1:38AM
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CDdesign
Posts: 1015 - Karma: 92

do not start switching thule screws out, i know its hard, but thule has invested millions in technology to make the rack fit, YOU MUST TRUST THULE, this is just like ski boots, go to a shop with a RACK IT SCIENTIST.

Dec 9 2010 11:30AM
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585.
Posts: 4059 - Karma: 77
alright i think i have caused some people a little confusion here. it is not the thule rack this is a seperate piece that is made by subaru. since my roof is bare i need these cross bars so that i can later attach the thule ski rack but that isnt the problem. and to answer someones question above the cross bars are specific and are meant to be on the back and the front (the back crossbar is too short to go on the front)

next thing is that these arent any normal screws. they came with the packaging and look like this:

Click for larger image
Dec 9 2010 6:02PM
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A-Style**
Posts: 1831 - Karma: 81
ha i put that same rack on practically that exact car 2 weeks ago. ya the front one was a little difficult to get on, but i just spent like 5 minutes with my dad on the other side moving it and positioning it and we got it to work. i can see why your having the problem, because mine was similar, but we did get it on after just some wiggling and such.
Dec 9 2010 6:54PM
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_nicota_
Posts: 70 - Karma: 4
Yah I have the same car too as well as the same rack. the front piece is a pain in the ass to attach it just takes some jiggling around and time, you'll get it eventually.
Dec 9 2010 7:02PM
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585.
Posts: 4059 - Karma: 77
so after countless hours of fucking with the thing, i went to home depot and bought to screw of similar length and drilled those bad boys in there. hopefully its not going anywhere any time soon
Dec 9 2010 9:53PM
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