Roof rack installation

ettienne · 06-23-2007, 11:10 AM

I'm trying to install a roof rack for a Chrysler Voyager 2002 SWB.
My problem is with the expanding nuts, they will not expand.

I did as illustrated in the install instructions: use a bolt, nut and washer to expand the nut once it is inserted in the hole in the roof. My problem is that the expansion nut keeps turning. The expansion nut should remain stationery for it to expand, but there is not enough bite into the metal to keep it still. The hole in the roof cannot be any smaller either, the expansion nut barely goes in.

How do I get the nuts to expand????

I'm totally depressed and desperate by now.

ettienne · 06-23-2007, 02:38 PM

I applied some lateral thinking and came up with a solution.
I cut the head off a 7mm bolt, filed away some thread so I had a smooth shaft to fit in my pop riveter, screwed the nuts onto the remaining thread and pop riveted them in.

06-23-2007, 11:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
ettienne Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3	Roof rack installation I'm trying to install a roof rack for a Chrysler Voyager 2002 SWB. My problem is with the expanding nuts, they will not expand. I did as illustrated in the install instructions: use a bolt, nut and washer to expand the nut once it is inserted in the hole in the roof. My problem is that the expansion nut keeps turning. The expansion nut should remain stationery for it to expand, but there is not enough bite into the metal to keep it still. The hole in the roof cannot be any smaller either, the expansion nut barely goes in. How do I get the nuts to expand???? I'm totally depressed and desperate by now.

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06-23-2007, 02:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
ettienne Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3	I applied some lateral thinking and came up with a solution. I cut the head off a 7mm bolt, filed away some thread so I had a smooth shaft to fit in my pop riveter, screwed the nuts onto the remaining thread and pop riveted them in.