Roof Rails

[dalestehan]

i have bought a c5 estate without the roof rails and i have been asking around if it would be possible to fit the factory fitted rails myself or is it a job that has to be done by a citroen dealer/ garage ? (i was quoted £300 by my local dealer !)

thanks.

[truemouse]

Now would be a good time to invest in a Haynes manual, dontchathink?

I shouldn't think it'd be too hard to install. But best to check with haynes first.

[lindsay]

haynes don't do a C5 manual......do they?

I have tried finding one and can't!!!

linds

[Johndouglas]

haynes don't do a C5 manual......do they?

 

linds

 

Neither do Peter Russek and I'm told they don't intend to publish one.

[Guest jay]

i have bought a c5 estate without the roof rails and i have been asking around if it would be possible to fit the factory fitted rails myself or is it a job that has to be done by a citroen dealer/ garage ? (i was quoted £300 by my local dealer !)

 

thanks.

 

I have just bought one too, roof rails £150 ish, looks like there are 3 fixing points along the black roof strip (front middle and back), you will find a little circular push down bit in the strip at each point, haven't looked in detail to see what type of fixing is below.

Have looked at rails on other C5's and they have a push in bit of trim in the top at each of the fixing points. I am guessing that if you can manage an MFI self assembly you should be OK fitting the roof rails, or get your friendly local back street mechanic to do it, they won't charge £150 for the job.

[shallishanti?]

Now would be a good time to invest in a Haynes manual, dontchathink?

 

I shouldn't think it'd be too hard to install. But best to check with haynes first.

 

Now would be a good time to be eating some Humble Pie, dontchatink?

 

 

Back to the topic.....

 

Do you need the rails? There are bars available that clamp onto the top of the door frame....would save a few quid but unlikely to be anywhere near as sturdy as fitted rails. Guess it depends on the size of load you'll carry on there.

 

Thule also make roof bars that fit into the mounts for the rails. Some here:

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/THULE-ROOF-BARS-FOR-...VQQcmdZViewItem

 

This would also save a fair few quid.

 

My father in law has some like this, on a Mundano admittedly, and these attach by a bolt through the foot into a threaded insert under the plastic cover in the roof.

[shallishanti?]

I've just had a look at the rails on my car and they appear to be bolted on in 3 places, into a threaded fitting in the roof. Can't be that hard to do. I think the dealer is making easy money at £130 labour!

[Guest jay]

I just checked using the accessory configurator on the Citroen UK web site. The price quoted by all my local dealers in Hertfordshire are £189 inc fitting & VAT. £300 is a rip off!!!!