OEM Roof bars on Clubman

[SimplePimple]

Hi, I've just fitted a pair of Mini OEM roof bars to my 2009 Clubman (it unfortunately didn't have roofrails fitted, obviously!). They've gone on OK, albeit with a certain amount of difficulty, however I've noticed that the top of the club door glass is not seating properly against the rubber any more. Because the roof bar fitting pushes the rubber gutter down a little it is preventing the glass from passing beneath it as it should, leaving a small gap between glass and rubber at the side, which I am sure will let in water given an ill wind. Anyone else had this problem? Any solutions?

Also, I notice that one bar has three little plastic fins sticking out of the bottom of the rail, while the other one doesn't. What are these for? Does it matter whether this bar is at the front or the back? The instructions refer to a label under each bar which describes the "alignment". My bars don't have this label. I assume this should indicate which is the front bar, and which is the rear? I assume they're not handed are they? (i.e. they don't have a left and right do they?)
Any advise really appreciated. It surely can't be correct that an OEM fitment prevents the door from sealing properly can it? Have I done something wrong? (apart from buying the damn things!)
Thanks
Stephen

[Stoo Med]

The bar with the fins goes to the front.

And they are a *** to fit, so on my old Clubie I left them on. Saw the light come car change so spec'd the rails.

[SimplePimple]

Quote: Originally Posted by SimplePimple (original)

Hi, I've just fitted a pair of Mini OEM roof bars to my 2009 Clubman (it unfortunately didn't have roofrails fitted, obviously!). They've gone on OK, albeit with a certain amount of difficulty, however I've noticed that the top of the club door glass is not seating properly against the rubber any more. Because the roof bar fitting pushes the rubber gutter down a little it is preventing the glass from passing beneath it as it should, leaving a small gap between glass and rubber at the side, which I am sure will let in water given an ill wind. Anyone else had this problem? Any solutions?

Also, I notice that one bar has three little plastic fins sticking out of the bottom of the rail, while the other one doesn't. What are these for? Does it matter whether this bar is at the front or the back? The instructions refer to a label under each bar which describes the "alignment". My bars don't have this label. I assume this should indicate which is the front bar, and which is the rear? I assume they're not handed are they? (i.e. they don't have a left and right do they?)
Any advise really appreciated. It surely can't be correct that an OEM fitment prevents the door from sealing properly can it? Have I done something wrong? (apart from buying the damn things!)
Thanks
Stephen

Anyone else had the same problem with the club door not seating correctly with the roof rails fitted?

[ClubmanSOwner]

Quote: Originally Posted by SimplePimple (original)

Hi, I've just fitted a pair of Mini OEM roof bars to my 2009 Clubman (it unfortunately didn't have roofrails fitted, obviously!). They've gone on OK, albeit with a certain amount of difficulty, however I've noticed that the top of the club door glass is not seating properly against the rubber any more. Because the roof bar fitting pushes the rubber gutter down a little it is preventing the glass from passing beneath it as it should, leaving a small gap between glass and rubber at the side, which I am sure will let in water given an ill wind. Anyone else had this problem? Any solutions?

Also, I notice that one bar has three little plastic fins sticking out of the bottom of the rail, while the other one doesn't. What are these for? Does it matter whether this bar is at the front or the back? The instructions refer to a label under each bar which describes the "alignment". My bars don't have this label. I assume this should indicate which is the front bar, and which is the rear? I assume they're not handed are they? (i.e. they don't have a left and right do they?)
Any advise really appreciated. It surely can't be correct that an OEM fitment prevents the door from sealing properly can it? Have I done something wrong? (apart from buying the damn things!)
Thanks
Stephen

Stephen - I have the OEM bars on an '08 Clubman. The dealer wanted to charge £250 to fit them! Errr....no, I'll do that myself! I fitted per the instructions without any difficulty. Admittedly, peeling away the rubber slots was a little tricky. I have no bulging rubbers at the clubdoor (or any other point), so I suspect that your bars are under too much "tension" - you should ensure you slacken off all adjustment to allow them to find the appropriate fit prior to tightening everything up.

I must confess, I haven't taken them on/off - they're too useful being on there for bike racks etc, but the horror stories I'd heard about didn't materialise. That said, I did take a long time gradually adjusting everything up, so maybe go back to basics and try re-fitting?

You'll never lose your Clubman in a carpark again once they're fitted....!

Neil