Someone please help me! Does anyone here have a Thule roof rackinstalled on their TSX. I just got one this weekend and made an attempt at installing it. I was able to get the front completed, but I am having an issue with the rear. I am unable to get the side screws in all the way. I am sure that being able to squeeze the tension clamp will help because it brings the internal bolt closer to the screw, butI cant budge that clamp for the life of me! Anyone have the same problem or know of something I may be missing? I have been studying the instructions and I know I am following it correctly, but it is not working. Any tips would be a huge help! Thanks!

 

1) make sure you have the right fit kit
2) make you you are using the correct spread between the bars. I dont have it on me right now, but the bars should be a little closer than on most cars.

 

My Yakima installed just fine. I don't know the ins and outs of Thule use, but one thing I've found is that the roofline of the TSX isn't even approaching linear. If you move a pair of rack towers fore or aft a little bit, the required sideways distance between them can change quickly. Maybe get the rear towers to a narrower section about an inch away from where they are now.

Personally, I'd consider returning the Thule for a Yakima anyway. They really are more solid because of the round bars. More aftermarket accessories fit Yaks also because of the round bars --- RockyMounts, for instance. I've had my Yak for 9 years now, and it's just great.

 

Got any pics of it on the tsx?

 

Yak or Thule? I can take a Yak shot tonight if I remember...

 

Either....I've only seen 1 TSX with a rack on it.

 

Dirty car, busy garage, but here you go...

 

Thx!

 

Looking at second picture... There's a car in there?

 

lamo, yeah, that's life in Texas for you. No basements = stuff gets hung up in the garage. We're the only family w/in a mile of us who keep both of our cars in the garage every day. Believe it or not, there's room to open all four doors on either car to get kids and grownups in and out.

BTW: you should see the bike wall in front of the Volvo That single-speed MTB hanging over the TSX is just the beginning...

 

Hehe, nice tennis ball. I've got one too.

But with all that stuff piled around the cars, I'd be seriously scared of any earthquakes.. though, I guess in Texas, that's not so much of a worry, is it?

 

what's wit the tennis balls??

 

Parking aid:

Pull into the garage exactly where you want the car to be. Then hang a tennis ball from the ceiling (cut hole, knot string, push knot into hole). The ball should just barely touch the windshield exactly over the center of the steering column. It's not imporant how high up the windshield, just as long as it's barely touching, and you can easily see it from inside.

Then, when you pull in, just drive for the tennis ball like you're trying to get it to hit your nose with it. Stop when it just touches.

 

Ok, I cleaned it up a bit (you can see my 6.3s 1/4 mile car in the background):

 

Yeah, my fit kit says 2003 acura tsx and all the equipment worked fine on the front end. I have no idea what Im doing wrong. Im sure its some stupid mistake. But Im doing the measurements exactly the way it is required according to my fit kit. Well, I just ordered 2 new boots and bolts because after all my hard work, I wound up cross threading the damn things. Wish me luck this time, I cant afford to buy another pair of boots!

 

If I remember correctly(I no longer have the rack), I had the same problem catching the threads. I think I held the threaded part and then tugged on the handle which should extend out enough for you to catch the threads. Or I might have stuck something behind the bolt in the tower to pry it a little closer. As I said it was a while ago and have since gotten rid or the rack system.

 

Nice ride man

 

Just wanted to let everyone know I was able to get it on, but I had to improvise and not stick with the instructions. Kind of complicated to explain, but it looks great now that its on.

 

Sweet! I'm glad you didn't have to go back for a third set of parts.

The TSX looks pretty nice with a bike rack, no?

Do you have a faring? My old one got some UV crack, so I haven't put one on since moving the rack to the TSX yet. The thing is super noisy over 70 mph.

My long-term solution is still to weld my own custom hitch and a rack for it... but I might try a faring too...