Problem mounting roof rack.

Mounted my Martin Offroad rack yesterday and everything went fine except for one bolt.

I'm pretty sure there was a piece of the mastic in the hole and instead of backing it out I cranked it and I'm guessing spun the threaded insert in the roof. Bolt is half in and just spins both directions.

Its one of the two forward most holes closest to the windshield on the driver's side.

Can I drop that corner of the headliner and get to the bottom of that threaded insert?

 

I would re-tap and use a bigger bolt.

 

The headliner is stiffer than you think. You will have to drop more than just a corner. Is the threaded insert OEM or aftermarket. If its aftermarket It may have been miss-installed so worth tryin to “re-tightened”.

 

Its OEM. I know the headliner is a pain but I can hopefully get just enough down to get to the threaded insert without creasing the headliner.

That bolt isn't coming out unless I can do that or drill the damn thing, which I sure don't want to do.

I'm just not sure what access I have or what it looks like under the headliner.

 

If it's like my 5th gen 4Runner was there is like a plate that clips into the roof panel with the threaded inserts. Mine was at a body shop last summer and I called to ask if I could come by and grab my kayak J bars off the rack. They removed the WHOLE rack and dropped 2 of those inserts into the interior panels. Then of course gave me the truck back without the rack on it and holes in the roof. Boy was I pissed. But yes the headliner is pretty stiff. Take off the pillars and drop it as 1 piece. Those plates were like $5-6 at the dealer.

 

Soooo....I pulled the pillar trim and visor and I can reach in and feel the threaded insert. Its solid and not spinning but the bolt won't catch either direction. Threads on the bolt must be buggered up.

 

Drill time.

 

Take a screwdriver, use a wood block as a fulcrum and try pushing up on the head of the bolt while twisting the bolt out.

 

Was able to get it out with vice grips and a huge amount of cursing.

Bolt is toast. Anyone know the size of these real quick?

 

Yeah stainless gauls real easy. You got lucky

 

Yeahhhh, I think Scotty Kilmer mentioned profanity was necessary, to work on cars.

 

Common problem. Just needs to be retapped

 

Got the new M6 bolt and all is well.

 

Looks awesome!