Micapeak

I am thinking of installing Acura roof rails on my new 2013 RDX myself. Instructions seem bit complicated. Couldnt find a YouTube how-to. Any advice?

saxman48

I'm interested, too.

Micapeak

I've found instruction for the 1st generation RDX on this forum but no instructions or how-to for the 2013 which has a different set-up. I'm hoping someone has tried it and has sage advice.

dedalus5550

I am also curious, but even more so. I want to know how feasible it is to install them then uninstall them. I saw another RDX (2013) with them this morning and I really didn't like it. But I want them for the occasional trip--like 2 trips a year. I don't want to leave something on that I don't really like for using them that rarely.
Mike Todd

Dutchml

When they install the roof rails, they have to cut the black roof trim in a couple of places. I asked the installer if the rails can be taken off and he said they could but you'd have to replace the black trim that runs the length of the roof. Not very feasible.

BuaidhNoBas

Hey guys, new RDX owner and just joined the forum. I just bought some all-weather car mats from www.acurapartssuperstore.com and noticed that they have instructions for all the accessories posted, including roof rails. No video, but what seems like pretty good step-by-step. For what it's worth, I was thinking about installing my own roof rails but the instructions look pretty involved - I ended up having the dealer do it.

rosen39

http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/AI/BII13459.pdf

The above link has the instructions to install the roof rails. They are not in the box, as Acura probably wants the dealer to install them. It is not difficult, as long as you read the instructions a few times before beginning. It will be around 2 1/2 hours to complete. Starting at the back, the rear most plastic pieces can be preyed up and then cut on the scribe line (inside) and a hole drilled in it. The hole is for the rail end cap to clip into. The next part is the most difficult. The trim that has to be removed and cut into smaller pieces is made of aluminum covered with vinyl. If you bend it too much, it will stay bent and not look good. It says to push this trim to the outside and lift the outer edge at the same time to release the retaining clips. There are six clips on each side. Three blue ones that will not be re-used, and three purple ones that will be re-used. You will have to measure from the back of the trim piece, to the front 1,330 mm (or 52.3 inches). This is where you will cut the trim piece (right near the sun roof). I used a Dremel Multi Tool with a half circle blade, and a thick blanket under the trim and over the roof. The remaining piece I cut on the band saw, and should be cut as shown on the instructions. This trim piece has a slight curve to it, and they want the curved parts to be re-installed where they originally came from. The rubber end pieces for the trim have to be cut as shown in the instructions, and then you start to put everything back together. The end piece of roof trim was 20" but I had to take off another 3/32" to get all the roof rail mounting holes to line up (especially the ones in the middle support). Torque the torn bolts and screws as shown, and slip the end caps on the rails, and your done.

rosen39

Sorry about the spelling error.......make that "torx" bolts. It seems the forum "spell check" changed my typing.

tobey457

I'll chime in.

Installing the roof rails isn't hard, but it will take a few hours, and some patience. Like rosen noted - pulling the roof trim off and keeping it straight is hard - but you can tweak it by hand after it's off the car - and I'd recommend test-fitting them back on the car (without the clips) to ensure all of the bends and contours are matched to those on the roof of the car.

Also - protect the roof and side of the car. I dropped a Torx bit and ended up putting a nice ding in the car - luckily it's white!

RDXLai

sub'd

jdgemm

I did this with a friend who had previously done it for his MDX. As was mentioned you need to be careful with the aluminum.

In hindsight I would get a professional to do it.

Instructions here: http://www.acurapartssuperstore.com/...roducts_id=490

musty hustla

Are the roof rails noisy while driving?

imnuts

No, I didn't notice any change in cabin noise after we had them installed. I contemplated doing the install myself, but cutting the trim turned me off. I had the dealer install it so that they could fix any problems if something happened.