r/JeepDIY

For about a month I have been calling around to different places trying to get some help with getting a Thule roof rack installed on my Jeep. I have the entire kit and the instructions are super simple. However, there are 4 bolts I have to remove from my metal rails and they will not come out. They are secured by Loctite and I can see the rivnuts underneath spinning.

Installing the roof rack is cake... the 4 bolts are the problem.

I looked online and it looks like I may need to remove my headliner (at least partially) to get at them from the underside of the roof. Furthermore, the rivnuts may need to be replaced (maybe not).

I can't find anybody willing to do this work. All of the body shops I have called just want to deal with collisions. I don't understand it... I mean what if my roof was damaged and they needed to do something similiar. Baffles me that an auto-body shop can't do this type of auto body work. It seems like they don't want to do all of that work for a simple roof rack.

For me, however, it's not just a simple roof-rack. I plan to use it to haul more stuff for camping. It's an important addition to my Jeep.

All of the body shops tell me to go to the dealer. I went to a dealer and the service advisor did not seem excited and never called me back with the quote. If CDJR does not even want to help... then what the heck?

I kind of expect it to be a lot of work if the bolts can't just be removed. I tried the tricks online of melting the Loctite using a soldering iron on the bolt to heat it up. It's possible somebody has some other tricks up there sleeves and this could be quick and easy. Worst case scenario I need somebody to carefully remove the headliner and then put in some new rivnuts. I understand the amount of work.

Does anybody know of anybody who can do this work for me? Or know of any service advisors at a dealership who actually wants to help out a Jeep owner with their Jeep problem.

It's a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK). Factory everything... just putting on Thule jeep grand cherokee rail kit.

The installation is a breeze. Just can't get past the literal Step 1 in the instructions (remove 4 of the 10 bolts on the metal rails). Only 1 of the needed 4 comes out and some of the other bolts can come out too, but are not the ones needed.

Just bought a 2.5 inch lift kit for my jeep and it came with shocks, springs and break line brackets. 2015 jeep JK , 4dr , 4wd

What else do I need parts wise to make sure my jeep runs smooth without hiccups.

Haven’t decided on 33 or 35’s yet but some wisdom would be nice