Precision_Man
Member
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- 2014 Mazda 3 Hatchback
OEM Roof Rack Part 3
Good evening everyone!
I am happy to report that the weather cooperated this weekend and I was able to wash and wax my new car for the first time and importantly to this thread, install the roof rack!
I was very impressed with how easy it was, just read the instructions. I wrapped some electrical tape around a large flat head screw driver and gently pried up at the front of both of the rain gutters. They slid back about a quarter inch and rose up out of the channel very easily. There are two semi complex pieces per side holding the gutters to the car which can be stubborn. You need to pick up the edge closest to you and rotate it gently and then push the gutter piece towards the center of the car and it will release from the clip. I had to fiddle with that for a while before I figured it out, the instructions are a bit vague there. The back of the piece comes off easily and the new one goes on with a couple gently pounds with your fist. The slide on caps which cover the screws are a bit stubborn, so I used the same tape covered screw driver like a chisel and tapped them off till they popped free. I placed the clear stickers which protect the roof on while there was no gutter piece at all on the car, I think it was be easier to do so with the area free and open. 4 bolts are then threaded into the car's roof. I might suggest putting some sort of paint down at the bottom of the nut on the roof to protect the car's real paint. I might take the roof rack off to address this as the bolts do tear into the paint.
Then, the rack lands on-top of the screws and protective tape, a big wing nut is used to hold it down, the caps get slid on, and it becomes a very clean rig when done.
Finally, I installed my Rocky Mounts bike bar. One does have to be a bit careful with the rubber insert on the top of the bars. Press down on the insert as the bike mount is slid into the top channel. Also, the rear bar is 1.5ish inches shorter, so the a common reference point on the bike bar should be 3/4 of an inch closer to the end of the rear bar than the front bar to get it to sit straight on the car.
I have driven the car for a few hours straight on the highway after install and I think I lost only about 1 mpg with it an the bike mount on. The noise increase is also pretty much impossible to hear. The sunroof is a bit louder, but nothing is perfect. The rear gate does open with the road bike on the rack without a problem. There is about 3 inches of space between the bar and the hatch, I did not think to look at the tire to the hatch. I will be putting my much larger 29er full suspension on tomorrow so fingers crossed the tire does not get in the way!
I hope this was helpful in your decision process to maybe purchase this set-up. I have been impressed with the quality and the fact that you get an equal if not better rig for half the price of Yakima or Thule, while still maintaining the Yakima name, albeit its a bit hidden. Way to go Mazda for actually saving their customer money through economies of scale!
Good evening everyone!
I am happy to report that the weather cooperated this weekend and I was able to wash and wax my new car for the first time and importantly to this thread, install the roof rack!
I was very impressed with how easy it was, just read the instructions. I wrapped some electrical tape around a large flat head screw driver and gently pried up at the front of both of the rain gutters. They slid back about a quarter inch and rose up out of the channel very easily. There are two semi complex pieces per side holding the gutters to the car which can be stubborn. You need to pick up the edge closest to you and rotate it gently and then push the gutter piece towards the center of the car and it will release from the clip. I had to fiddle with that for a while before I figured it out, the instructions are a bit vague there. The back of the piece comes off easily and the new one goes on with a couple gently pounds with your fist. The slide on caps which cover the screws are a bit stubborn, so I used the same tape covered screw driver like a chisel and tapped them off till they popped free. I placed the clear stickers which protect the roof on while there was no gutter piece at all on the car, I think it was be easier to do so with the area free and open. 4 bolts are then threaded into the car's roof. I might suggest putting some sort of paint down at the bottom of the nut on the roof to protect the car's real paint. I might take the roof rack off to address this as the bolts do tear into the paint.
Then, the rack lands on-top of the screws and protective tape, a big wing nut is used to hold it down, the caps get slid on, and it becomes a very clean rig when done.
Finally, I installed my Rocky Mounts bike bar. One does have to be a bit careful with the rubber insert on the top of the bars. Press down on the insert as the bike mount is slid into the top channel. Also, the rear bar is 1.5ish inches shorter, so the a common reference point on the bike bar should be 3/4 of an inch closer to the end of the rear bar than the front bar to get it to sit straight on the car.
I have driven the car for a few hours straight on the highway after install and I think I lost only about 1 mpg with it an the bike mount on. The noise increase is also pretty much impossible to hear. The sunroof is a bit louder, but nothing is perfect. The rear gate does open with the road bike on the rack without a problem. There is about 3 inches of space between the bar and the hatch, I did not think to look at the tire to the hatch. I will be putting my much larger 29er full suspension on tomorrow so fingers crossed the tire does not get in the way!
I hope this was helpful in your decision process to maybe purchase this set-up. I have been impressed with the quality and the fact that you get an equal if not better rig for half the price of Yakima or Thule, while still maintaining the Yakima name, albeit its a bit hidden. Way to go Mazda for actually saving their customer money through economies of scale!
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