300 TE roof rack removal

[Ron in SC]

I know how the main part of the roof rack is removed but not the five 1" by 48" strips that are attached to the roof. Does anyone know how to remove them.

[Chris Blanchard]

You'll need to pull the headliner to expose the nuts/clips that hold them on there. The headliner isn't too hard to remove (lots of tacks and clips, etc).

Start with the trim piece that is on the back of the headliner between the tailgate hinges. There are some phillips screws there. Once you get started, you will see what the next step in getting it all out is. Take notes and don't lose any little pieces.

May I ask why you are taking the roof rack strips off? Detailing?

[Ron in SC]

I've had the back part of the headliner down to replace the shocks for the rear door and I saw some nuts for the rails but I didn't remove the headliner up far enough for see anything for those strips.

I want to remove them to paint the roof since it's a little faded.

[Ron in SC]

You'll need to pull the headliner to expose the nuts/clips that hold them on there.

Are you sure about that? I just replace another shock in the 1992 300TE wagon and I saw nothing of what you decribe holding the five strips I referenced in post #1.

What year is your car that had the fasteners hold the five thin strips?

I think they are held in place with two sided tape.

[Mark M]

Ron,

You may be right. For the 124.090 body style, the EPC shows that the side rails are held on with clips/bolts and nuts. The five center rails show no nuts or bolts. The picture below may not be clear enough to tell (I haven't yet figured out how to get a picture directly off my EPC), but there are clearly no attachment pieces on the strips that go through the roof structure.


Mark

[ED C.]

From what I can tell on my 88TE the strips are gluesd on w/double stick type tape. One of mine has started to peel away on one end.

[lkchris]

Originally Posted by Ron in SC

I think they are held in place with two sided tape.

Not even close.

[Ron in SC]

I have confirmed with the dealer that the five 1" by 48" strips between the roof rails are in fact attached with some type of two sided tape. They are part#12484000407129 and are $27 each.

[BENZ-LGB]

Originally Posted by Ron in SC

I know how the main part of the roof rack is removed but not the five 1" by 48" strips that are attached to the roof. Does anyone know how to remove them.

How do you remove the actual rails?

[BENZ-LGB]

Originally Posted by lkchris

Not even close.

Kent, do you have a reference page to braingear for the removal of the roof rails and the roof "ribs?"

Thanks.

[lkchris]

Looks like I'm mistaken about the sticky--though I recalled parts illustration showing fasteners but it doesn't.

[BENZ-LGB]

Originally Posted by lkchris

Looks like I'm mistaken about the sticky--though I recalled parts illustration showing fasteners but it doesn't.

the sticky tape makes sense. the roof ribs do not bear any weight, they are just there to prevent scratching the roof surface. Besides, too many holes can eventually lead to leaks.

so, how do you remove the rails themselves?

[Ron in SC]

how do you remove the rails themselves?

You have to remove the headliner and then you will have access to the fasteners.

[BENZ-LGB]

Originally Posted by Ron in SC

You have to remove the headliner and then you will have access to the fasteners.

That's a bad design...I just installed a set of factory roof rails onmy daughter's 2002 Volvo V70 wagon...it was a snap. If I have to remove them, for any reason, all I have to do is remove some plastic covers and they things screw right off. The mounting plates are already built-in into the rain channels.

Ah, Volvo design...sometimes I miss it. Germans tend to over complicate things.