NagPer Posted June 2 Share Posted June 2 Hi guys, I've got a Ford Focus MK3 (2014) TI-VCT Combi. I'd like to install these roof rails instead of the plastic strip i currently have. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164163376392?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D250318%26meid%3D51b676b76250405eb8c6e5d2dfa8b7f8%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D275385132861%26itm%3D164163376392%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv11WebTrimmedV3MskuWithGreedyAllKnnRecallsAndCassiniVisualRankerWithIsoCalib%26brand%3DFord&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851&amdata=cksum%3A16416337639251b676b76250405eb8c6e5d2dfa8b7f8|enc%3AAQAIAAABMK6rTUJOntHw7vMLLLDbL6p8zeUP6C4XOeyNchQZF8EXO%2BRfxbshaufWAglNaihumbrJ6dF0yHaS5lUPSbUjY0%2BZSjmwE7AFeiluMty99ChbRdOJlZkVeSY6QdzCFUJ9n6s7zUCaIh2Ohkx3dzBqoXPmZ%2FupzpcJw8U9snpT31TlWqd1yH10cn441crIv8Q18y8YrjPRA8Ojm0UsUok4s5XUUZAan71t0YVLB8NJmy2Wsghe%2BrDXzHlnbjmKDWhtA5q1KX2wttGGKgHyLCC3j97w4glu%2FBg3j9ltc4q%2B5AmxYzwVLf8LDQN4kIbaH0FXBFblQkgHnxBl9jFYL24uoqcTvEunukm8EcfMoqrG7a19FzplTzFtDcgsE6gClTNdluDEmM0pIX4DAoq8uXelqVI%3D|ampid%3APL_CLK|clp%3A2047675 I wonder if i need to remove the roof headliners for the installation? Thanks Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unofix Posted June 2 Share Posted June 2 No need to remove the headlining. Just drill the holes in the roof (if not already there) fit the 'Nutserts' with the appropriate tool and screw the roof rails on. For future reference, when posting eBay links you only need the first section up to the "?" https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164163376392 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NagPer Posted June 3 Author Share Posted June 3 Thanks a lot! That sounds great! May i ask how do i remove the roof trim module? Shell I just unclip it or do i need to slide it before lifting? https://photos.app.goo.gl/HLCdLp3H6kFoTYw7A Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NagPer Posted June 3 Author Share Posted June 3 I did unclip the module, this is what i've found underneath: https://photos.app.goo.gl/prYd45vNbC78KSEt6 So these are the holes which i need to fit the Nutserts into? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unofix Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 1 hour ago, NagPer said: So these are the holes which i need to fit the Nutserts into? Yes. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laser-0979-Nut-Riveter-Rivets/dp/B0012MEK24?th=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomo2001 Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 40 minutes ago, unofix said: Yes. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laser-0979-Nut-Riveter-Rivets/dp/B0012MEK24?th=1 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304316589270? Can buy cheaper off eBay as you would already have the nutserts with the new trim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NagPer Posted June 4 Author Share Posted June 4 Thanks, One more question before i make a decision: Are roof bars attached to roof rails significantly better/stronger options then these types of roof bars? http://i.imgur.com/4XgQvls.jpg I'd like to carry 4 adult bikes on top of the roof and i was wondering if the bars without the roof rails would be strong enough? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unofix Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 I've only ever used Ford roof bars with Ford roof rails on the two vehicles that I've carried 3 adult & 1 child bike on the roof. The clamp on type must also work fine as they have to be certified for use. So long as correctly fitted they are presumably just as strong as the roof rails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NagPer Posted June 4 Author Share Posted June 4 Thanks' I'll have a look at the users manual of these roof bars. Many of them are limited up to 50kg capacity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JW1982 Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 The original Focus MK3/MK3.5 roof bars for vehicles without roof rails have the nasty habit to create dents. Unfortunately, many people found out the hard way. One known cause of these dents is overtightening of the screws. These needs to be tightened using the supplied (plastic) torque screwdriver at just 2 Nm (less than fingertight). Tightening the scews any faster will result in dents. Since the torque screwdriver often gets lost overtightening is a common issue. An other known cause of dents is overloading. The roof bars have a maximum load capacity of 75 KG. The limiting factor is basically the roof itself and not the roof bars. Whether tis is sufficient or not fully depends on the weight of the bikes. From this point of view I recommend to install the roof rails in combination with suitable roof bars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NagPer Posted June 5 Author Share Posted June 5 I know, this is a common problem with other car brands as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NagPer Posted June 5 Author Share Posted June 5 I am a bit confused. I've just found a roof rail near me, but the owner claims that it needs to be bolted on from the inside of the roof, so that the headlining needs to be removed. Looking at a similar picture of the same part i do not see how i'd bolt it on from the outside? Do you still think the headlining does not need to be removed? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontpannic Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 I think the biggest question that seems to have been ignored so far is - is your car a hatchback or an estate? As far as I was aware, all estates came with rails from the factory, the only difference was the colour depending on what trim you had. I haven't tried or compared, but I would be extremely surprised if the estate rails would be anywhere near a close enough fit on the hatch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NagPer Posted June 5 Author Share Posted June 5 I've got an estate, and i think I've found the right par for it. The only problem is that I'll need to remove the headliner for the installation, which can be quite dangerous because of the airbags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontpannic Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 11 minutes ago, NagPer said: I've got an estate, and i think I've found the right par for it. The only problem is that I'll need to remove the headliner for the installation, which can be quite dangerous because of the airbags. The headliner is just a cover, the airbags I believe are attached to the frame and not the headliner itself. It can be done, just be careful and don't stab anything with a screwdriver when prying things. Obviously disconnect the battery 30 minutes before you start but I don't think the airbags would interfere with the mounting of the rails 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unofix Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 The roof rails are fitted from OUTSIDE the car using nutserts (other makes are available). They are not bolted or otherwise fitted or fastened from inside unless the user has a desire to do this. These are similar to those in your roof rail photo (not exactly the same). https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334846857338 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NagPer Posted June 5 Author Share Posted June 5 Thanks, I honestly hope you're right! I'll get back to you if you do not mind whenever i receive the rail! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NagPer Posted June 8 Author Share Posted June 8 The rails has arrived, and I installed them by removing the headliner because I couldn't imagine any other way to do it. I am still very curious if it could have been done by clamping a nutserts into the roof. Pleas have a look at the pictures below: https://photos.app.goo.gl/7KbXumjyvSkdFm2m6 What are your opinions? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontpannic Posted June 8 Share Posted June 8 21 minutes ago, NagPer said: The rails has arrived, and I installed them by removing the headliner because I couldn't imagine any other way to do it. I am still very curious if it could have been done by clamping a nutserts into the roof. Pleas have a look at the pictures below: https://photos.app.goo.gl/7KbXumjyvSkdFm2m6 What are your opinions? I might be wrong but unless there's a cap on the top side I don't see how you'd be able to fit them from the top. Glad you got them fitted though and didn't set the airbags off 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unofix Posted June 8 Share Posted June 8 Thanks for those pictures. I would have expected that the chrome rail could be detached from the black bottom section. then the black base would be screwed to the car and the rail reattached. No matter the main thing is you have managed to get the rails fitted and no damage done, so a good result. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomo2001 Posted June 8 Share Posted June 8 5 hours ago, dontpannic said: I might be wrong but unless there's a cap on the top side I don't see how you'd be able to fit them from the top. Glad you got them fitted though and didn't set the airbags off 🙂 Unless I am mistaken, the pictures are not with nutserts (normally round bodied) but are in fact nuts as they are hexaganol. This would mean then tightening from inside the car under the headlining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NagPer Posted June 9 Author Share Posted June 9 Thanks for all your efforts in advising me, guys. Great community! Although there were a few clips that caused me a headache, there is no damage after refitting everything. Many of the screws were almost touching some parts of the airbar or its components, but nothing happened after connecting the battery. 🙂 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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