Oem roof rack problems

I got a oem roof rack. The bolts idnt align and it was giving me a hard time. It was very upset trying to put the bolts in when they didnt want to go in. The bolts were straight but were very tough to get in. I actually stripped a bolt cuz it was so hard to tighten. The passenger cross bar nut was securely tighten. But the cross bar can swing a 360 degree. But the driver side cross bar doesnt swing that far. Did i do something wrong? Any comments or answers?

 

We can't tell what you did without pictures.

 

Did you fully tighten the first bolt you put in? You need to get every bolt started before you tighten any of them. I installed one of these about a year and a half ago and I remember it being more difficult than I thought but I was able to get everything lined up and the cross bars functioned properly.

 

Everything is as tight as it will ever be. I stripped acouple of bolts due to much force i was applying. Cross bar bolts are super tight. But feels like they have room. I have been too scared about trying to take out the bolts of the cross bars because it was such a hassle. I remember seeing a small purple o ring. I didnt pay much attention to it. Should i have?

 

Where did you get the roof rack? I've noticed on Amazon that some of the part numbers are incorrect for applicable generations. Between the 2nd and 3rd gen, I believe the part numbers have changed 2-3 times. Some are interchangeable, some are not. I bought a used 2nd gen roof rack without the mounting hardware, and had to get new hardware from Amazon. The first kit was clearly not for my truck, even though the part numbers were cross-referenced on Amazon and from Toyota. I ordered another kit, and it worked just fine. The only difference between the two were bolt diameter and length. I'm guessing this may be your issue.

 

I bought mine straight from the Toyota dealer about a year a go.. But i don't remember having to force the bolts in.. in some cases i had to wiggle the roof rack to a line it with the holes but the bolts went in with out much force. sorry no much help here..
As indicated above, did you check the part number to make sure is the correct one?

 

I had to eggout one of the roof holes before I could bolt mine up. There was roof metal in the way of the hole. After a slow process and a dremel bit I opened it up and all was well.

 

I got the roof rack from my toyota dealership where i bought my truck. I spent the extra money because i read the forums that you would have a harder time putting it in. But i ended up having a hard time anyways. I ended up stripping the bolts that holds the roof rack to the metal bracket. And the passenger cross bar feels looser than the right side even though the bolt to keep it from coming out is very tight. My luck. Lol

 

What's the part number on the box? I have been handed wrong components from the parts department from my local dealership, and I actually like and mostly trust them with my vehicle. There's 3 part numbers for the roof rack:

$377 PT278-35130 Roof Rack

PT278-35130,

$436 PT278-35140 Roof Rack

PT278-35140, and

$352 PT278-35170 Roof Rack (Double CAB), 1 Pack, Black

PT278-35170

From Amazon:

Genuine Toyota (PT278-35170) Tacoma Roof Rack

• for model years 2017-2019 only
• Toyota has superseded part number PT278-35130 to PT278-35170
• Supports a maximum of 75 lb. when weight is evenly distributed across both bars
• 2015 Tacoma

TOYOTA Genuine PT278-35140 Roof Rack

• Genuine OEM
• Securely haul items
• Long lasting sturdy construction
• Easy to install
• 2014-2016 Tacoma

 

Do the racks from the dealer come with cross bars ?

 

The bolts won't go in the roof holes or it won't tighten on the arm?

 

Later we find out the whole unit was installed backwards.

 

Yes....

 

They told me they didn't so I just wanted to clarify.

 

The cross bar bolts is as tight as it can go. But the cross bars seems loose. The cross bar latches fine but it wiggles as if the bolts to hold in the cross bars are too long.

 

do you have a link or part number for your mounting kit?

 

Unfortunately no. Amazon processed my return as an exchange, so the replacement order has the same part number, even though it's different. And I didn't keep the box with the new part number.

 

I had trouble installing my rack as well. Make sure the plastic liner is where it should be and yes you need the purple o- ring. If it fell out that means you lost the nut that the cross bar bolt threads into, which is very easy to lose.

 

Wouldn’t you know this though? Otherwise the bolt would just spin