Yakima Roof Rack Problems
 

I've been working on moving my Yakima roof rack over to my 83 300D for the past 3 weeks. This is the third time I've installed a rack and I've never had problems before. I am using the Q Towers with the appropriate clips according to Yakima but there just seems to be waaay too much gap between the clip and the door jam. I'm talking like half an inch of gap here.
Has anyone successfully installed a Q Tower Yakima rack on a W123? Has anyone encountered similar problems? I even took it back to the Yakima dealer and they couldn't figure anything out either. Yakima customer support is convinced that thier measurements and clip choice is correct so they think that I'm just an idiot.
Someone please help-I need my rack by Friday!

I have a Yakima rack on my 123 and I use the A1 raingutter towers.

Where are you located? I believe I have a set of rain-gutter towers that I don't need, can check if you're local.

I'm in Florence, SC.

I use Yakima rain gutter towers on my 123 TD.

I have Q Towers, not rain gutters. I'm sure the rain gutter attachments work just fine but that's not what I have. The Q Towers work, at least they do according to Yakima, and I would like to use them so I can move my $500+ rack from vehicle to vehicle instead of buying two $500+ racks.

Around here, there are typically lots of rain gutter Yakima racks available on Craigslist for about $40-60.

I'd prefer to use the Q Towers that I already paid for and that are supposed to work.

I'd call/email yakima's tech support. They are most helpful

I did-they are nice, but helpful is yet to be seen.
I've been in contact with them since this problem first started. They thought my measurements were wrong so they had me take it to a Yakima dealer to look at, which I did-still not fixed. I called them back (about 50 times now) and all they can tell me is, "well my sheet says it fits." I sent thier support department pictures of my car and the Q Towers-nothing. Truth is they don't know what the problem is other than it's not a correct fit. They haven't owned up to that one yet but I'm thinking that they will soon. I found another post on a different forum from someone with an old 300 with the same problem.

would the local dealer be willing to open up some other clip packages to give them a whirl. I used to sell Yakima years ago and did that sort of thing all the time.

Not sure about the Yakimas, but I have Thules on my '83 300 D and they fit fine. Probably a cross reference chart (I'd guess) between the two. On the off chance that you are going to the Gauley Fest this weekend, then send me a PM and we can compare notes. I'll have my 300 there w/ racks on.

I used raingutter towers on my 123, switched to Q-towers for the 124 and the 210. If you can't get the Q-towers to work, you don't have to throw the entire rack away, just buy a set of raingutter towers and cut your losses by selling the Q-towers.

I still have my raingutter towers left over from the 123 and would be willing to sell them to you if you choose to go that route.

Jeremy

So what would you like us to do about it? Sounds like everyone here is using the 1A raingutters. You'll need to get your local Yakima installer to assist you, or work it out with their telephone tech support.

FWIW I've owned 3 or 4 different old european cars that have metal rain gutters along the sides of the roof. On every one of those cars, I've only used the 1A raingutter towers since those were the only thing Yakima said would fit....

I also use the A1 towers. I'm positive that is what is spec'd for this car by Yakima, not the Q's.