Yakima Q Tower frustration - suggestions

[mtnjam]

We're trying to put a Yakima rack on my wifes 2009 Corolla. We've done all the proper measurements listed on Yakima's website for this vehicle.

We are having problems with the Q tower/bar combo not seating tight enough. We have the clamps tightened properly, but when we go to make sure it's tight enough by pushing and pulling on the bars with arm strength the whole thing slides, not loose, but still sliding.

Anyone else run into this problem?

[Big Hit77]

If all your M measurements are exactly correct, the next thing that I would check would be the tightness of the clips up and down-you can adjust it with the little barrel adjuster under the side. It sounds like you don't have the clips tight enough. Make sure to pull at the clip before you check it. The clip itself shouldn't pull away from the side of the car. Also, make sure you have the new style Q-towers-Yakima has a note to only use Q-tower Style 0124...these are the ones without hash marks.

[mtnjam]

Also, make sure you have the new style Q-towers-Yakima has a note to only use Q-tower Style 0124...these are the ones without hash marks.

everything you have listed above has been done. The barrel adjusters have been completely tightened to their limit. We pulled on the clips on the side, they were tight as we could get them, but when we went to "push/pull" on the bars they slid. We do have the Q towers with the hash marks though.......hmmmm

[Big Hit77]

Hmmm...Do you have the rubber feet on the bottom of the towers? The only other thing is that sometimes with the older style Q-towers that used a cam system to clamp down on bar, the bar would slide anywhere from an eighth to a quarter of an inch when you tighten it. This means that you actually have to set the bars up a little shorter than you would to accommodate for this sliding. Other than that I don't know why the older style of Q-tower wouldn't work. I know they had a recall on a style last year because of faulty cam covers, but that is it.

[mtnjam]

yep, got the ones with the white/clear rubber feet

We might just have to mess around with shortening the M measurements a little (the length between the front and back bars and the towers and see what works.

Thanks for your help

[Big Hit77]

I would be careful about shortening the distance too much, but sometimes depending on where your measurements are taken they can be off from the correct spot. Another option would be to call Yakimas fit and installation line. They are extremely helpful and can sometimes trouble shoot things very well over the phone. The phone # is 800-269-7623

[donzi]

We're trying to put a Yakima rack on my wifes 2009 Corolla. We've done all the proper measurements listed on Yakima's website for this vehicle.

We are having problems with the Q tower/bar combo not seating tight enough. We have the clamps tightened properly, but when we go to make sure it's tight enough by pushing and pulling on the bars with arm strength the whole thing slides, not loose, but still sliding.

Anyone else run into this problem?


I to am having the same problem with fitting a new rack on a 2009 Toyota Corolla LE. I believe that the front clips should also be the same as the rear
for a proper fit. I talked to Yakima but they are still saying the the Front
should be Q5 clips and Q83 for the rear. I feel the proper fit would be Q83 clips on the front and on the back towers. Q5 Clips stick to far out pushing
out the door seal. Yes the Q5 clips work but it does not look right, allows more water to run between the door and the frame and I think
they are just trying to save face and the cost of exchanging the clips and sending out a service bulletin.

You can see the rack on my car with the Q5 Clips in the front and Q83 Clips in the rear at the following website

http://picasaweb.google.com/danders238/2009ToyotaCorollaYakimaRackSetup

Hope this helps someone else
Don Anderson
WI

[mtnjam]

Actually, Yakima originally recommended the Q83's on the front also. That's what we couldn't get to fit without slipping back in April when this message was posted. We also had the rack fitter at the shop try to get the Q83's to fit on the front and fail. Yakima changed the recommendation to the Q5 after I filed a complaint with them about the fit. The Q5's fit fine on the front of my car - much better than the Q83's did. Yakima provided me with a free pair of the Q5's, so I don't think they are trying to save face in your case. The Q83's simply don't fit on the front of the 2009 Corolla.