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roof rail removal

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 8:22 pm
by shadrack
took the roof rails off tonight ready for painting and im quite loving the smooth lines of them missing! has anyone removerd the metal brackets which are left?? if these are removed does it leave holes where water could potentialy get through and damage the interior or are these just enpty threaded holes which dont go through and could be filled with silicone/filler? thanks

Re: roof rail removal

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 8:42 pm
by X5Sport
Does this offer any help? It's from the Xoutpost and basically seems to cover what you're asking, I think. I remembered there had been a discussion on there a while back about removing roof rails and what you filled the holes with.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/ ... rails.html

Re: roof rail removal

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:11 pm
by shadrack
yeh great help think i will wip one of the brackets out to see what plugs i need, dont fancy getting them fillered and painted in case i want the rails back on!! anyone on here got this mod i wonder?

Re: roof rail removal

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:18 pm
by Sanj
It can be done without too much effort if you're happy to have rubber grommets up there. I'd try that first, make sure you get no leaks! Then weld and smooth off before a pro paint finish! :thumbsup:

Re: roof rail removal

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:23 pm
by shadrack
thing is sanj that its going into body shop sunday so id need to make a hasty desision!! thats why i removed then !!! arrrh

Re: roof rail removal

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:40 pm
by Sanj
Do it, will look great and very subtle!

Re: roof rail removal

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:11 pm
by X5Sport
You can always put a bead of silicone sealant around the grommets themselves which will stop any leaks but still allow the plugs to be removed in due course.

It's what we used to do on ex-Police vehicles going for disposal. They got more money for those than the ones with an 'X' of insulating tape covering the holes. Well it was the 1980's.....grommets were expensive.

Re: roof rail removal

Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:56 am
by Raj
Think it will look good and very individual but I do use them to hold on to when standing on the tyre to clean the roof...lol

Re: roof rail removal

Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:54 am
by X5Sport
Well that's an easy fix......buy a step ladder......or is that a rude word :poke: :D

roof rail removal

Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:33 am
by wilkoturbo
Pics pics pics

Re: roof rail removal

Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:30 am
by Raj
[quote=""X5Sport""]Well that's an easy fix......buy a step ladder......or is that a rude word :poke: :D[/quote]

Swill your mouth out..... :poke:

How can you suggest such a thing...lol

Re: roof rail removal

Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:36 am
by X5Sport
Pmsl :rofl: :rofl:

Re: roof rail removal

Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:43 pm
by shadrack
[quote=""Raj""]Think it will look good and very individual but I do use them to hold on to when standing on the tyre to clean the roof...lol[/quote]
I do too!! But it looks pretty clean lined with the dish rims and the rails off! Think am gunna get the rails painted, and silicone and plug the holes so I keep my options open!!