Silence is Golden

LR Slide Rail Ski Carrier LR006849

Okay so here's how I made the ski rack silent (i.e. not howl or whistle a horrid tune )

1: Ignore the LR fitting instructions "Issue No.1 Pub: No.4H4Z-55056-AB" Page 4 Illustration 4 which clearly shows the "T" bolts in position without the Cross Bars' (LR002417) channel rubber seal being replaced. For complete silence these rubber seals must be in position, and fit fully snug across the complete width of the Cross Bar and overlap 2/3mm into the space that's normally concealed by its locking cover at either end of the Cross Bar.

2: The "T" bolts are 6mm/dia., and so having carefully checked the distance between them (672mm as per P5 Illustration 5) I drilled two 6mm bolt holes in each rubber seal so that both strips are identically fabricated. (Note: where you drill them will depend on your own preference for how close you want the Slide Rail Ski Carrier to sit when locked at the side of the roof rails - mine are set back 10mm from the edge of the Cross Bar locking cover)

3: Push the "T" bolts through the holes in the rubber seals and then into the Cross Bars.

4: Mount the spaces & washers and locking nuts as per the LR fitting instructions for each Ski Carrier.

5: When securing down the locking bolts you will need to exert some additional downward pressure (compressing the rubber seal at the point of contact with the "TBolt" spacer) to facilitate an initial purchase to be gained by the locking nut on the "TBolt".

6: As an extra piece of security I put some Loctite on the top of the bolt's thread.

Job done.

Product road tested this morning at speeds up to 120kph and all is nice and peacefully quiet. Bliss

Last edited by athelstan on 3rd Feb 2010 6:17 pm. Edited 2 times in total

120kph in switzerland didnt they shoot you? At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

nice one

I guess i was right in saying they need the rubber seals to prevent the whistling  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

i have also made the thread a sticky and placed it in Maintenance & Modifications to make it easier to find

Thanks very much for reporting the solving the problem  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Pinky Blowin his own whistle again eh

npinks wrote:

nice one

I guess i was right in saying they need the rubber seals to prevent the whistling

npinks
You deserve credit for putting me on the right track "Sherlock".

Don't Encourage him, He'll start getting cocky again and bullying lollipop men.

chicken george wrote:

120kph in switzerland didnt they shoot you?

CG
120kph is permitted on a few Swiss motorways - but even then they are very limited sections.

My test route took me high into the mountains and on long sweeping descents. I also tested the solution in long tunnel traffic. All in all very pleased with the result. I did not however encounter any strong cross winds. That question/effect remains for the moment unanswered.

I am borrowing my brothers Thule Xtender Roof rack,

but need to get the fitting kit as his are for square thule roof bars and has a clamp (#50353) that goes round the bar, which obviously won't fit the LR ones

LOOKS LIKE I NEED THIS SPACER


Could somebody with these tell me which parts i need to order from this parts diagram for the LR crossbars

Click image to enlarge

That spacer doesn't appear to be on that drawing  ______________________
2011 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8
2012 FL2 SD4 Auto HSE
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That's what I was thinking  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Could you not 'make' a spacer from a pack of steel washers, I might have access to some supplies - Any idea of internal + external diameter + height ?

I think I might need longer bolts too, and the square washer for inside the bars runner, not sure on sizes of those though

to be honest having £1000 of boards on the roof with a make shift bolt system doesn't fill me confidence

Going to see if I can get them in my car with a seat down and less drag, wind noise etc Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

npinks

To mount the Thule Ski Rack on the LR "Oval" Cross Bar you'll need the following:

1: Four 50333 T Bolts
2: Four 31742 Cylindrical Spacers
3: Four 50642 Small Washers - locked down at 4Nm

These are from the Thule "T Track Aero Bar 861" to mount the Thule "739 Extender Ski Rack".

Contact Roland at Exeter Roof Racks Tel:01404 823 990. He is the official Thule Spares Guru and he'll have the right parts with you in 48hrs (he has direct access to Thule UK HQ just up the road). Cross reference with him the Thule products against LR in case there has been recent updates!!

Looks like i will be having to call the number above to get a fixing kit

my brother found a suitable fixing kit for the bars it's just has bolt that are too short  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis