Any concerns with potential damage to the glass roof from teh bar mount? Like in a Tesla if you torque it too much you might crack something? Or are they safely out of hands way?
Okay, so here are my thoughts. With some photos. No particular order. You will need a plastic tool (like you’d use for trim) to pull off the caps.
1) Fit and Finish on installation - crap. Sorry, no sugar coating. You’ll see in the photos. They put a very cheap foam at bottom of crossbar piece that comes in contact with roof, but there are large gaps (>.25”) in various areas where it secures to roof. So, hoping that area is totally waterproof (I’m sure it is). But it really makes it look cheap when you come up to it. I am going to have service take a look as I can’t imagine it’s really supposed to “fit” this way. Rivian is FAR FAR better and cleaner and easier to install. Yes, I actually tried the install backwards as well, in case the manual was wrong - it’s not. They just look like this. And yes, it looks dirty even though I just cleaned the insert areas as leaves are falling fast. I’d LOVE for someone else to tell me what I do wrong so they look better, so PLEASE post here if you get them.
2) Center bolt - as seen in pics, when you remove caps, there’s a black bolt. You need to remove that bolt to make space for the central (main) bolt for crossbars. No mention of that in instructions and no tool provided. That’s an H4 bolt - so make sure you have something to take it off. And then save the four bolts you unscrew with the caps.
3) Torque - the one thing they got right is they included in the weird torx tool a way to see whether it’s torqued appropriately. Hard to explain, but it’s helpful.
4) Tool - the provided tool is fine, but I advise using the long end for initial install of screws and only the short end with torque piece to finish it off. They talk about keeping it loose enough adjust with fingers at first - that’s not possible. Two turns with a finger and you need the tool. Otherwise, it will take forever to screw in given the crossbars get in the way. Better yet, use a ratchet if you have one - I did not for this type of divot-like head.
5) Plastic end caps - they’re fine. They clip off for install and back on. But overall, contribute to the JV look of the crossbars.
I finished the look and install mainly to be able to post to forum and help others. I came very close to not finishing first bar once I saw the look. But I don’t have tow package, so this is the only way I can take a family and friends on day trips to ski/snowboard.
The look? You decide. I got lazy taking pics in end. My personal feeling is “meh”, but they’re not supposed to look pretty, so as long as they work, I guess it’s fine.
Disappointing overall.
Next up, highway driving. If they make noise while up there, that will be the last straw. We’ll just “have” to take the R1S for skiing and leave the Gravity. Again, champagne problem.
