ViperZ

I picked up my RDX-Tech on Monday, and took it in for the install accessories today. That being the running boards and the roof rails and cross bars.

Looking at it the cross bars look tilted back in relation to the roof rails. This is correct as far as I can tell, as I removed the cross bars, and checked it all out.

I mounted the cross bars with the "Front" marking, towards the back, and this made the bars level, with feet more perpendicular to the rails. But then the bars are actually backwards. The teardrop aero shape of the bars are reversed.

I removed the bars and disassembled them, to check they were all correct, and they where. Its strange how the rubber gasket between the foot and the rail is actually thicker in front than in back. Those were correctly installed as well as they only go on the feet one way.

The sliding mount in the rail is also thicker in front that at back. While it all looks off, I can't help thinking Acura designed it this way for aerodynamics or that it's just quieter like this?

Anybody else with the Rails and Crossbars notice this?

ViperZ

Nobody has the cross bars?

I'll get some more pictures up, but this is what I`m referring to...

Front bar


Rear bar

kirkland715

yeah, mine were like that too... i took them off. I like the way it looks with just the roof rails. If i ever need them i will just put them back on. as far as why they are designed that way. i have no clue. I thought it was a bit odd myself...

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

shouldn't the cross bar sit even and flush with the rails? something doesn't look right.

ViperZ

I plan to leave them on so I didn't have to worry about not having the cross bars when I needed them. What do you do with your slider inserts to prevent them form sliding around and rattling?



You would think so, but this is correct. I took the whole system apart to inspect. I flip them around so the Front ----> marking was pointing back, and the feet were even (flush) with the rails, but then the aerodynamic teardrop shape of the cross bars are backwards.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

interesting.

CharlieZ

Mine are the same way...2014 RDX tech pkg

CharlieZ

By the way how do you take them off...is it in the manual?

kirkland715

[QUOTE=ViperZ;14725462]I plan to leave them on so I didn't have to worry about not having the cross bars when I needed them. What do you do with your slider inserts to prevent them form sliding around and rattling?



i just took the sliders out. the plastic covers pop off and they slide right out. Now the trick will be making sure i don't lose them.. lol

05_NBP_TL

iTrader: (1)

My guess is that the the factory roofline has some curvature and is not horizontal with the ground. The bars in there "tilted" position are probably horizontal (in relation to the ground below), creating less drag and better airflow (quieter when driving above 60mph).

Do the bars feel secure when mounted?

ViperZ

Thanks for confirming

If you are referring to the cross bars, a torx head socket is all that is required. If you're referring to the black sliders in the rail channels, I'm not sure


I may need to relook at this as it seems there were no covers to remove, and that I had to unbolt the rails from the main corner feet to remove them.

This was my exact thinking, that somehow its optimized for wind noise and drag as intended, even if it seems a bit higher in the leading edge. I actually did flip them around and bolted them down, they looked more correctly fitted. I did not take it for a drive to see the affects.

They feel very secure as is.

Okay, Thanks all, I have no doubt they are installed correctly, just hearing others, confirms it. Also it will serves as a resource record for others who purchase the bars and wonder. This may save them from taking them apart like I did just to confirm



Here are some better overall shots of them relative to the whole car.

beach109

They all do sit this way, with a bit of a tilt, and minimal adjustment fore/aft. Not sure why, but the way they are designed to fit and assemble by Acura.

kirkland715

[QUOTE=ViperZ;14726234]




I may need to relook at this as it seems there were no covers to remove, and that I had to unbolt the rails from the main corner feet to remove them.


There's a hole you need to stick a small screw driver in and it depresses a lever so you can slide the plastic cover off. Just be sure to slide and not try to pry it up or the cover will snap off.

ViperZ

Thanks Folks!

Kirkland, I'll check that out...

CharlieZ

Great pics, mine are exactly like yours......I want to put a canoe on mine...I would tie them twice on top (near the bars)....and a tie from the back of the canoe to my trailer hitch....but I cannot fine a tie down point in the front....any ideas?

ViperZ

Thanks! I'm not sure, but there has to be a way, you'd think...?

CharlieZ

After much on the ground time I found the front tow hook. Its on the driver side about 18 inches from the front. I must have looked down there about 5 times before I found it.

cast

Hi all,

Not trying to jack the thread, but this is crossbar related...

I'm planning on buying an RDX in the next month and am deciding on the accessories. Does anyone have an opinion on OEM vs. aftermarket crossbars? The factory bars look very nice, but the Yakima Whisbars look like they would be easier to install and remove as needed.

Thanks.

ViperZ

I think the Yakima Whisbar S55 Rail system looks liek a noce sleek alternative.. I think you should try a set and report back

CharlieZ

I think if I had to do it again, I would go with the after market top!

ViperZ

I know what you're saying. I like how the OEM cross bars match the rails, but the internal Whisbars could look sleek too. I got my cross bars as part of the "Show Room Package" that includes the Rails, cross bars, running boards, rubber mats, and rubber cargo tray.

I'd be interested ins seeing a set of these Whisbar S55 Rail system. I'm curious to how they adjust for width for the rails.

I'll go looking for some instructions.

jdgemm

Hey guys,

Had the same situation. They actually labelled the cross bars L and R incorrectly. So I switched them around and voila.

Before:



After:

jdgemm

Not sure why the images are showing, but should be able to copy and paste into browser:

Before:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/q7d6d6ozr21nvze/image-1.jpeg

After
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4kdo5st0zmbdgx9/image.jpeg

Acc20yrs

The labeling is wrong from the factory and the dealer will install them wrong based on those wrong labels. Front is back and left is right. I had to switch mine not only because they looked terrible but also because of wind noise. They look ok now.

Acc20yrs

IMHO I think this is unacceptable of Acura. And the inept techs at the dealers can't figure this out? Or is it that they don't care?

Acc20yrs

[QUOTE=kirkland715;14726162]Which plastic covers? I have the same issue and would like to take the sliders out :-)

Acc20yrs

I need help, I switched the cross bars around and the wind noise was unbearable, could it be they are designed this way? I noticed the slider inserts also have a slant thicker towards the front, could it be the sliders are mounted incorrectly? HELP!!

2013RDX-techBLACK

Bumping....

Did anybody get back to you on this? Trying to find out if there is a way to make these things flush without the noise. Thanks in advance.

Acc20yrs

No, no one got back to me sorry