Nature of Roof Racks?

Rowboat Pathy · Aug 24th, 2007, 04:06 PM

The rattling and squeaking noises coming from my 02 SE roof rack has gotten worse these days. Of course, the noise becomes more audible and annoying whenever I have the moonroof open which I do often.

The rattling disappears during the day (I'm assuming when the components expand during the heat) and resurfaces at night. I have tightened the screws several times and have lubricated the joints/crevices but still to no avail.

I started considering switching to the LE style roof rack (2 cross bars only), but after doing some research it looks it will be time consuming. I don't mind putting in the wrench-time, but I just wanted to get a better idea if it's even worth it.

Some questions for you:
* Do Pathfinder LE owners also experience the same rattling issues with their roof racks?

* Or if this is really part of the process that comes with the age of the vehicle, what have you folks done to get rid of these noises?

* Has anybody done a roof rack conversion from SE --> LE? I know it's usually the other way around.

**88pathoffroad** · Aug 25th, 2007, 09:06 PM

I'd isolate what is rattling first. Drive with the moonroof open and have a passenger listen to the rack for rattles?

Xeno · Sep 1st, 2007, 07:18 AM

Is it the cross bar that is rattling? Have you removed them to test?

X

amm888 · Sep 3rd, 2007, 10:41 PM

my 01 LE had no rattle that i noticed. but i took them off a few days after purchasing it.

Rowboat Pathy · Sep 5th, 2007, 03:25 PM

Thanks to all who have replied thus far.

There seems to be a couple of sources, but the main culprit is coming from the crossbars. For these SE's (02-04...I think) the crossbars are connected to the rails through these brackets that slide through the channels (within the rails) and are tightened.

The cross bar itself is "secured" to these brackets via 4 Torx screws (2 on each side). I couldn't tighten these screws any further....some just freely move as if it has been stripped...can't tighten or even remove. Weird.

I managed to remove the crossbar closest to the sunroof which seemed to rattle the most. I had to remove the end caps (which were a royal pain) in order to slide the crossbars out. I kept the rear because it's a little bit more buttoned down and plus it completes the boxed look of the roof rack. I test drove a couple of times and even without both crossbars, the rails do rattle a bit.

I know it's probably the cheater's way out, but I'm tempted to switch to the LE style racks because they seem much simpler and have less....joints??? Hence, my post to see first if LE owners have the same rattling noises. I have read threads from another forum on people who have done similar conversions and there are issues to deal with as well.

jpawela · Oct 7th, 2007, 03:18 PM

This may make no difference, but I have a 95 with cross bars. They don't rattle any, but the wind noise was horrendous. I ended up taking them off and as an added bonus got a few more miles to the gallon on the highway. Your newer generation, tough may not have that problem. Just thought you should know.