Favorite Roof Rack? (boats, boards and a storage box)
- Thread starter toddjb122
- Start date
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jwest
Full Access Member
Guess I need to read your whole story on this bolt hole as I cannot understand what's going on LOL
come to think of it, if what's stuck i there is made of non metal, you could in stages drill it out right up to the size drill bit that would be used before tapping that thread size, then actually use a matching tap, and work it carefully.
Going a little and backing out to remove debris, then go again.
Be sure to use tap fluid. I've been doing a lot of tap and die work recently customizing serious things such as a mount for my flood lights. They are hanging from a 1/4" aluminum strap that is mounted to the underside of the Hannibal rack.
What's cool is there is a slot channel on the bottom of the 4" wide slats similar to the top channel so I used Thule slot rail plates which I threaded into for hanging the 1/4" flat stock.
Then I bolted the 4 Hella lamps from below to that using M5 or 6, with nylon lock nut on top. This arrangement allows left to right adjustment and the lamp itself has up/down angle adjustment.
The whole 4 lamp/mounting strap can be removed now as a complete unit in about 5 minutes. It sits above the sunroof glass but still allows full movements of sunroof. It is however set back far enough to also be protected from branches, etc.
Better detail photo tomorrow.
come to think of it, if what's stuck i there is made of non metal, you could in stages drill it out right up to the size drill bit that would be used before tapping that thread size, then actually use a matching tap, and work it carefully.
Going a little and backing out to remove debris, then go again.
Be sure to use tap fluid. I've been doing a lot of tap and die work recently customizing serious things such as a mount for my flood lights. They are hanging from a 1/4" aluminum strap that is mounted to the underside of the Hannibal rack.
What's cool is there is a slot channel on the bottom of the 4" wide slats similar to the top channel so I used Thule slot rail plates which I threaded into for hanging the 1/4" flat stock.
Then I bolted the 4 Hella lamps from below to that using M5 or 6, with nylon lock nut on top. This arrangement allows left to right adjustment and the lamp itself has up/down angle adjustment.
The whole 4 lamp/mounting strap can be removed now as a complete unit in about 5 minutes. It sits above the sunroof glass but still allows full movements of sunroof. It is however set back far enough to also be protected from branches, etc.
Better detail photo tomorrow.
jwest
Full Access Member
Todd, Here are some photos to give you ideas maybe on whatever next projects you have.
jwest
Full Access Member
The rack slat extrusions happen to have a slot on the underside which allows the flat slot mounted anchor "nuts" from a Thule tower mounting kit to pop up in there. When tightened they pull flat yielding impossible wiggling out.
The 1"X 1/4" aluminum strap is temporary/prototype and will be replaced with 1.5" wide for full surface contact by the lamp foot. At the time I will also install a hex set screw to ensure no twisting from road vibrations.
The 1"X 1/4" aluminum strap is temporary/prototype and will be replaced with 1.5" wide for full surface contact by the lamp foot. At the time I will also install a hex set screw to ensure no twisting from road vibrations.
Sorry, Todd, here is a link. Make sure you buy a set with metric. I can't remember what size the bolts were but pretty easy to figure out with the tools in the set. The 50-pic metric set would be good. It has all the right parts. When I had older cars, my tap/die set saved my butt on many occasions. And it has uses around the house as well.
https://www.craftsman.com/products/hand-tools/specialty-tools/tap-and-dies-and-sets
I was careful to pick a drill bit smaller than the hole and going slow, just chewed up the plastic bits. Then used something to scrape it out. Even a vacuum to suck out chunks. I did use thread locker when I put it all back to seal the hole from water. And some lithium grease to repel H2O.
https://www.craftsman.com/products/hand-tools/specialty-tools/tap-and-dies-and-sets
I was careful to pick a drill bit smaller than the hole and going slow, just chewed up the plastic bits. Then used something to scrape it out. Even a vacuum to suck out chunks. I did use thread locker when I put it all back to seal the hole from water. And some lithium grease to repel H2O.
