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Saturn Vue 2004 Roof Rack installation

                   Saturn Vue
                 2004 Roof Rack

 Here's the deal. I purchased my Vue in March 2004, a demo. Ten days later an additional $1000
     off was added to the "end of year" discounts and two days later QVC gave away $1000 off
   coupons. So I'm kind of ticked off. They would not provide any incentive for listening to the
 salesman tell me that this car was a "great value" with the current $2500 off and discount for the
  "demo" mileage..... and extra 2k off for a 14 day wait... I don't think so. Three weeks later the
   Vue's had an additional $500 local and $500 regional discount. I could had $5000 off list, if I
 waited 3 weeks. I had a 2001 Subaru Outback and was just going out of power train warranty. I
   had the standard Subaru Outback carrier on the car. Saturn makes you BUY the rack for a
SUV. Isn't that what an SUV is suppose to have? So I got a cut rate on the rack (reg. $200 dealer
price, internet price $150 plus shipping) from the salesman of $150. plus tax... forgot about the tax
                              when I picked it up.





You get, from the dealer, a light box with the roof rack. FIRST, it is not the typical adjustable roof
rack. You must have a second tool (torx wrench) to remove the screws currently holding the side rack
on. Then you can screw in a double screw extensions that mount the roof rack. You need a 8mm socket
(not provided, I think that was the size) to screw in the extenders, they SEEM to be heat treated and you
are told to place "lock-tight", which is provided, on those threads.  Sturdy... not really. The racks state



  file:///C|/Users/butkus-64_home/Documents/copy_topcities/saturn/saturn_vue_2004_roof_rack.htm (1 of 2) [7/19/2012 11:12:36 PM]

Saturn Vue 2004 Roof Rack installation

only 100 Lbs and I would have to agree. Only 4 screws hold on the rack. Now you can only place the
rack in 3 different sections on your roof, where ever the screw holes in the center of the car are
currently.  If you purchase one of those "tubs" that go above your car.. I would doubt if this would
mount on them. The Subaru (and most other SUV's) have adjustable racks so you can match it exactly to
that Tub. I had a Tub mount on the rack and mounted on my two other Jeeps. No problem.

NOISE.... as you see from the above image these racks are THICK and guess what, noisy. My Subaru
and Jeeps never had roof rack noise. They were always mounts on.  I already took the Saturn roof rack
off, over 55 they made wind noise. Only 3 adjustment spaces and noise.... not a good deal for a $30K
car (with all the options).

Security screws: This rack has a security removal system! You can see in the image above the rubber
top that must be pried up (with something) to access the locking screw for the plastic end. With the
"security screw tool" (a hex wrench) you remove the plastic end, slide it off and then can access the
screws holding on the rack with their "security screws" (torx shaped bolts). Two problems I see. The
screws are always open, if you remove the rack (wind noise gone) the exposed screw holes will fill with
water, sap, dirt or whatever. Hoping those screws are "hardened and rust resistant" and they will not rust
before I put on the roof rack again.





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