Yakima Ski Rack Issues

[robotdna]

Alright, I have an '05 WRX sedan (not hatch, no OEM rails) that I'm trying to put a Yakima rack on. It uses the Q-Towers and horrendous Q-clip system. I cannot install the rack on my WRX without my window hitting the clip. It doesn't rub it much, but I cannot close or open the door without the window hitting the clip. Alternatively, I can solve this by tightening the hell out of the tower, but then the clamp becomes impossible to really close and lock as it's like skewed sideways, and the lock core then won't go through the hole in the plastic lever clamp and the lock won't engage. I have no idea how to solve this. As far as I can tell, my measurements are close.

It's really disappointing considering how stupidly expensive the rack was, and now it doesn't even fit the car.

 

[RudyGarmisch]

You could always just leave the windows down? Don't keep any valuables in there, throw a tarp over it if it rains, and nobody will steal a tarp covered car.

 

[robotdna]

You could always just leave the windows down? Don't keep any valuables in there, throw a tarp over it if it rains, and nobody will steal a tarp covered car.

Haha, I had thought about cracking the windows. The issue is, I work in a mall and the weather is always questionable. There aren't any windows and I'm sure some lowlife would pull the tarp off and mess with my car. (The mall is like located on the ghetto side of town)

Perhaps I can do something in between and crack it just enough for clearance yet leave enough glass to seal the door. I was just wondering if any NSers had similar issues. There have GOT to be guys on here with WRX/STIs with racks haha

Thanks for your help.

 

[.lencon]

Try non ski gabber maybe. Most people who have wrx/sti don't help out in gear talk lol

 

[rozboon]

'01 STI sedan checking in!

Just to make sure, you're installing the q-clip under the window seal, right?

Since our cars have frameless windows the rubber window seal is on the body of the car rather than on the window frame. You have to pull the window seal away from the metal, put the q-clips on then push the window rubber back over it. It'll bulge a little bit but it's super soft rubber so it will be OK. Just be careful not to tear the rubber when you pull it away from the door frame.

 

[robotdna]

'01 STI sedan checking in!

Just to make sure, you're installing the q-clip under the window seal, right?

Since our cars have frameless windows the rubber window seal is on the body of the car rather than on the window frame. You have to pull the window seal away from the metal, put the q-clips on then push the window rubber back over it. It'll bulge a little bit but it's super soft rubber so it will be OK. Just be careful not to tear the rubber when you pull it away from the door frame.

Are you sure? Like the pictures I've seen people have gone right over the rubber/plastic stuff. Do you have a photo I can refer to? This sounds like a perfect solution.

 

[rozboon]

Like this:

Hope that helps?

 

[robotdna]

Like this:

Hope that helps?

Darn, that's exactly what I've been doing. I thought you mean even higher, like between the metal and the stuff that the photo shows. Because in the photo, that tiny part where the clip sticks out is where it's hitting my glass.

Thank you for the photo, that helped clarify things. Still not sure what to do. I guess I'll just try again when I need my ski rack in a month or so haha.