Roof Rails Self Install
BEFORE:


Overall, the install wasn’t too bad! Took just over 2 hours for the install. I am a bit OCD so I measured, remeasured, measured again then remeasured before making any cuts to the black plastic trim piece
Here are all the part that came in the box.




Prior to doing anything, I did a fit test and marked on the black trim where I thought the cuts would need to be made. I had to install the center pillar piece for the fit test (It will need to be remove to actually install)




First you have to remove the black plastic trim piece. Instructions said to remove all the way to the windshield the remove from vehicle. I stopped the removal at the sun roof (more on that later). There are clips under the trim that attach it to the studs on the roof. Don’t worry so much about breaking these clips, concentrate more on NOT over bending the trim and damaging it for good. You will need to reuse 2 of the clips per side later for the actual install.




On the trim removal, I cheated and made my first/longest measurement(circled in red) while it was still on the MDX(the measurement is in millimeters, so you will need a metric tape measure.). Just be sure to protect the roof from damage, especially towards the back since the trim tends to flap around while trying to cut it. I used a Dermel to make the cut.

 

From here on out the rest is a breeze! I had to remove the caulk that is in the channel at the stud locations. Be sure to remove the extra caulk at least 2 inches in both directions from the studs.






The directions show cutting out sections of the black trim, but I simply cut the length I needed off of the end. It saved me about 4 cuts with a hacksaw. (Once the trim was off it was a lot easier using the hacksaw instead of the Dremel).






Once I finished my cuts, I did another fit test of the rail. I actually was measuring everything long (purposely) and had to trim a little off one of the trim pieces. You will need to install the rubber end caps and clips on the cut trim piece.







Don’t forget to remove the center pillar before the final install (only if you installed it for the fit test). Bolt everything down (You will need a T-30 Torx screwdriver, I used a flathead). Install center pillar, then install rail and bolts front and back.







Finally, install the covers on both ends(they snap into place).







Now you are HALF done. Do the same thing on the other side.
AFTER:







In the end, the install wasn’t bad at all, well worth the money I saved!!
Sorry the write up is so short; I wanted to keep it simple. I hope this is at least helpful to at least some of you.
I plan to do another write up on the side molding install later.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need more detail.

 

For those interested, here is a link to the actual instructions I used!
https://hondacuraworld.hostasaurus.c...dxroofrack.pdf

 

Nice ... that will complete MDX LOL ...

 

Awesome, added to DIY page.

 

Nice write up, that is good that all that's really involved is cutting that trim piece to size so there's no need to drill through the roof.

 

Yes, nicely done!

 

Nice work! This will definitely come in handy when I get my MDX!

 

Nice job!
I could have used the info a six weeks ago when I did mine. I would recommend making the cuts as described in the directions - the slight curve of the molding (plastic coated metal -very easy to bend too much but hard to cut) seemed to make a difference, albeit slight. I did one side the way you described, just cutting the pieces needed off the end and the molding didn't seem to fit the curve of the roof perfect. Did the other side like the directions and no problems - just took longer with more cuts. Somehow lost one of the rubber bumpers when I pried a piece off to check the fit. Spent two hours looking for it! The end cap from the first cut off piece rigged it well enough though.
I used a hacksaw to make the cuts- the Dremel is a much better and cleaner option! Measurements don't need to be exact. 5mm either way and it would be close enough.
Did you put the cross rails on too?

 

No cross bars, just the rails. I installed the rails for looks only, never plan to put anything up there.

 

Firstly, thanks to BTRAND for the directions above. I installed my roof rail using most of his advices. In lieu of a Dremel though, I used a hack saw and this Clamping Mitre Box I got from HomeDepot. The plastic box added protection while cutting the trim.

 

I have had black rails before but not on an MDX and the paint goes dull and eventually peels. Does anyone have experience or comments regarding the black MDX rails and their durability. The chrome ones are so much more expensive.

 

Thank you for this great thread. Was searching online for pics of the install and found this thread. Decided to do it myself vs pay the dealer. As I started pulling up the weather strip I started chickening out and though I might still have them do it. Pushed myself, and 3 hours later (2+ hours for the first side, 45 minutes for the second as I knew what I was doing) and I have them on. Started with the dremel but changed to the hack saw once I saw all of the sparks during the cutting. Measured, measured, and measured again, but realized that you can definitely be off a bit without a problem. Love the looks of the silver rail on the Bali Blue.

 

Thanks for taking the time to put this up. I've been looking at the 2nd gen MDX's, and trying to find ones that already have them. I wasn't sure how hard it would be to do. I always thought drilling was required. I use the one on my currenty MDX all the time to carry stuff.

 

This was a huge help. Did mine today. Thanks.

 

Hey,
Anyone know where to get the oem roof racks for cheapest?
New Member.
Thanks.

 

It looks great. My racks were also installed and I noticed there is a little gap between original rail and the cap of new racks. Is there any problem with leaks? I presume water may get in there but not into the car ceiling, but still some water in the gutter under the rail is never dried out and may cause noise or impact on screw to rust...

Any advice?

 

Try here -

https://acurazine.com/forums/sponsored-sales-group-buys-10/found-lower-price-acura-parts-838183/

Tim Poliniak
Internet Parts Sales - Acura of Peoria
www.oemacuraparts.com
1-866-347-8355

 

So I'm gonna pull my black roof rack and have it painted silver... There's just no reason the OEM silver one costs 4X as much.

Anyone have any idea how to pull those trim covers off? I've pried and pulled, afraid I'm gonna break something.

 

That was pretty smooth!

Quick question - is there any need to apply some form of silicone caulking etc. to where the edges of the rails and moulding meet, especially after the moulding is no longer one piece. In other words, is there a chance of having water seep into the gutter where the nuts/bolts reside and cause any corrosion.

The installation instructions do not mention anything about this. Did you consider doing this while installing or is there even a need to do so??

Thanks again for the picture installation guide.

 

I wonder if you can install the 07 roof racks on to 2010+ mdx its the same item i just dont know why its 2 different prices...

 

I think MDX seems to look like naked without roof rails...my 2 cents

 

I'm not particularly car savvy but all you need is a little attention to detail to do this yourself. I bought the black rails from Acura of Peoria and used btrand's walkthrough as a guide. Used a Dremel to make the cuts. Couldn't figure out at first how the spacers went in but btrand's pictures showed it well. Overall no problems, under 2 hours including set up and clean up. Saved about $300 off the dealer's quoted price, after the discount on the parts and by doing it myself. Didn't buy the Acura cross bars; plan to use a Yakima cross bar that I can put on and take off as needed. Pretty much anyone could do this easily. Thanks to this forum I was confident enough that I didn't succumb to just paying the dealer for it!

 

You sir have huge cojones in DIY Roof Rails, much respect. I was also debating if I should install the Roof Rails just for looks (not for use); but I kind of like it with out them. I guess once I commence my mods; I will decide then.

 

Nice DIY

 

First off, thanks for the write-ups! You gave me the courage to do this on my own, but recently I noticed that water starts leaking into the inside of the vehicle from the rain storms. It was dripping from the the two front side pillars next to the airbags. There was water accumulated inside the tray under the moon roof as well...I'm wondering if the weather strip on moon roof goes bad or it was a bad installation on the railing and somehow damaged the trims/molding. If I lift the trims and look inside the channels, I don't see any opening that would allows water to seep inside the vehicle. Am I wrong on this? I had the railing done months ago and been through many storms and no leaks... It just started to happen from the last few storms. The dealers want a lot of money to diagnose this, but I'm thinking if I should just put the bet on the trims, and get myself a new set. What do you guys thinks?

 

Any pics you can post to help us see what you are referring to?

 

See pic above. Water was leaking from the "circled" area on both side.

 

We had the exact same issue in the exact same spot and it turned out the drainage tubes from the sunroof (which run down the A pillar) were clogged and backed up. It was under warranty at the time and the dealer apparently blew out the tubes with compressed air. I was suspect of their diagnosis and solution, but we never had an issue again after their fix.

I would start looking there especially seeing you said you had water on the moonroof cover. I'm willing to bet your DIY on the roof rails is fine and you have blocked/clogged drainage tubes.

 

NBP04TL4ME, thank you so much for the info. I will definitely look into that and provide update to this thread. Hopefully we have the same problem

 

You are welcome and believe it or not it is somewhat common.

 

I had a chance to check on the drainage system this weekend and the front two holes were completely clogged. I was able to unclogged the driver side with a weed wire and compressed air, but having a hard time unclogging the passenger side. I've tried varies solutions like vinegar, citric acid, and soapy water. None of them seems to work and I couldn't fish the wire down the tube. But anyway...I am convinced that this was the culprit of the water leak. As long as I have one side working, water will not overflow from the tray. Too bad there is not a drop of rain showing in the near forecast. Again, thank you for the quick response NBP04TL4ME! You saved me a lot of headaches, time, and money

 

microli - you are very welcome and glad you were able to sort half of it out. By weed wire to you mean the orange or green wire/cord used by the weed whackers? Depending on where the clog is, you might want to try pipecleaner or possibly even a coat hanger.
In any event, I'm glad it wasn't your install of you roof rails, but felt pretty confident it wasn't based on your pictures.

 

Yes, is for the weed whacker. I didn't use a hanger wire because I'm afraid I might puncture a hole or loosen a clip in the tube.

 

Gotcha

 

Great tutorial! I'm going to keep this post close for when I get ready to install my roof rails. Looks great!

 

where did you pick up the roof rack?

 

....you made it look easier than I thought. Got the dealer to throw in the install with our purchase.

 

Signed up specifically to thank the OP for a great tutorial. We purchased the rack and cross bars (oem) off Amazon and the install went pretty easily on our 2012 MDX. Cutting the trim was the hard part which was much easier with my dremel than a hacksaw IMO. Thanks for the helpful guide.

 

And here I am wondering on how to remove them... I love the clean look it gets without them but I suppose there are a lot of people that actually use them.