Fill roof rack holes?

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Bonnewagon

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Sep 18, 2009
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My roof rack is loose and grungy, so I removed it for now, maybe I'll restore it, maybe not. Thus, I needed to fill the 1/2" holes in the roof. If I was not replacing it, I would Marine-Tex the holes shut, and call it a day. But for now I needed to be able to keep out the water and still have holes. So I ordered a 100 lot of these 1/2" hole plugs on Epay for $9. I will probably use some sealer too, just so nothing gets in to ruin my new headliner. Also since the headliner clips are so darn hard to find, I dread the thought of dropping the headliner for any reason. And the rubber grommet/nuts that the rack screws go into? Are they even in existence? I would probably need to fabricate some kind of nut/washer/seal to use the rack ever again. Any ideas on this besides "junk the rack", because that is already high on my list.
$(KGrHqRHJEEFDz4p!+l+BQ-h!pNEmQ~~60_12.JPG
 

Ribbedroof

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Jan 4, 2009
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Yes, you can still buy the wellnuts for the roof panel.

On my last wagon, I used PDR plugs with a little clear 3M plastic emblem adhesive to seal them, worked great and low profile. Paintable, too , if a guy wanted them to blend in a little more.

a38-39b-40b-41b_1__4.jpg
 

Bonnewagon

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Thank's Ribbedroof, I will see if I can get some wellnuts, that would make things easiest.
 

5door79

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Aug 2, 2013
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I really dislike my roof rack. Those well nuts seem like a PITA to get out of the roof.
 

Bonnewagon

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Mine were shot so I used the long screw to yank them out while grabbing the torn rubber with a long kitchen knife. They came out torn but intact. The brass nuts just spun uselessly.
 

Blake442

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Apr 24, 2007
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My rubber inserts were still intact, so I just matched up the original screws to some new ones that are only 1/2" long to fill the holes when I ditched my roof rack.
I'm not sure if they're visible in any of my pictures, but it's pretty self explanatory...
 

Bonnewagon

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I found them, the ones Ribbedroof mentioned. Clipsandfasteners.com as well as Epay. I just need to see what thread screws my car has, could be 1/4-20 or 6mm, lots of variations. As funky as the rack looks, it sure is easy to strap a ladder to it. This IS a working wagon. EDIT: M6 x 1.00 is the thread. I also ordered a bunch of 1/4"-20's as I just realized these are what they used to secure the license plate holders on Firebirds. EDIT: the black plastic hole filler things worked perfectly. A shmear of Ultra Black, popped them in, look great.
 

Bonnewagon

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Yes, I used these for now to waterproof the holes. Later if needed I can use the well nuts to replace the rack.
$(KGrHqRHJEEFDz4p!+l+BQ-h!pNEmQ~~60_12.JPG
 

Longroof79

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Oct 14, 2008
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Mark,
I think the cap plugs are a good alternative whether the rack stays or goes. They're nearly flush, so therefore they won't be an eyesore...and most importantly, it won't leak into the car.
 
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