That sucks, now I know what to look out for when we pick up ours.
Thanks for the info and I hope you get this taken care of swiftly.
Later,
Pat
Thanks for the info and I hope you get this taken care of swiftly.
Later,
Pat
EX Roof Rack Cap
Just drove my new Pilot Ex-L home last night from the dealer, discovered this AM that a part had fallen off the vehicle while in transit. I had the optional roof sidebars added and apparently during installation the platsic cap that covers the right front rail was damaged or not properly secured. Inspection of the railing where the part fell off reveals that plastic clips are the only means to secure the missing part on to the roof rail. (pretty flimsy). When I went to the dealership to order a replacement part, I learned mine was not the only Pilot that has encountered this problem. I love evrything else about the vehicle to this point, I hope that this deosn't become a reoccurring issue.
1 - 20 of 68 Posts
You had the dealer install the crossbars, right?
And the end cap that they removed to install them did not stay on.
Hmmm, well at least they did not drill holes in the wrong place in the bumper like some one else had.
And the end cap that they removed to install them did not stay on.
Hmmm, well at least they did not drill holes in the wrong place in the bumper like some one else had.
With cross bars installed, did you notice new wind noise coming from the roof? I drove mine for week before the part arrived. Ever since after the cross bars installed, I noticed wind noise from the roof at about 50MPH. I'm going to call the Honda shop and see what they can do. Cheers, JK:25:
Wind noise from crossbars
Honda service tech. explained to me that the wind noise is expected due to the change in aerodynamic of the roof line. Any comments? JK:3:
Honda service tech. explained to me that the wind noise is expected due to the change in aerodynamic of the roof line. Any comments? JK:3:
I'll bet I know what happened.
I bought all my own options and am installing them this weekend. I've already spent more time trying to install the roof racks than I spent on the running boards....and I'm STILL not done with the rack. I had expected the rack to be the easiest install (after the mud flaps of course). First off all, it's IMPOSSIBLE to remove the rack caps without breaking the clips. The instructions state you should put a flat head screw driver through this small little hole and remove the cap. Well....after trying that for 1/2 hr on both sides, swearing about 100 times, and still getting nowhere, I finally pulled a little to hard and the clips broke and off came the cap. With it off, I could at least study the design to see what I was doing wrong. I learned that I should have been sliding it forward ( I guess that's one way of interpreting "remove"...but clearly not the only way). But, even if I had slide it forward, which I had tried anyways, it would have never come off. If I get a chance I'll take some pictures of why. When you poke the screwdriver through the hole, you are bending this little metal clip back so the tab can be unlocked....theoretically. There is a metal stop built into the "bottom" side piece that's attached to the roof. Even with the cap off, you can BARELY move the clip because of this stopper. Even though you might be feeling a fair amount of "give" in the clip, it's doesn't move the actual part that locks the plastic clip hardly at all. It's tough to explain without posting the pic. I'm an engineer (OK a software engineer...but I'm still mechanically inclined). I refuse to believe this is one of those cases where a Honda Technician would have been able to pop that cap right off without the EXACT same problems I'm having. Unless some clips are different than others, I have to believe that if a cap comes off, it's because someone broke the tabs. User "cubsrule" stated he had the crossbars installed, well if you did, the Technician would have either broken the clips and put the piece back on broken, or just replaced the caps. If they didn't have any caps in stock, I'll bet he just threw it back on the best he could. And without the clips, yep...I'll bet it did fly off in transit. BTW....I think the solution is to just rip the caps off, install the crossbars, install new caps, and you'll never have to worry about it again. I can't believe replacement caps would be very expensive. Happy Piloting!!!
I bought all my own options and am installing them this weekend. I've already spent more time trying to install the roof racks than I spent on the running boards....and I'm STILL not done with the rack. I had expected the rack to be the easiest install (after the mud flaps of course). First off all, it's IMPOSSIBLE to remove the rack caps without breaking the clips. The instructions state you should put a flat head screw driver through this small little hole and remove the cap. Well....after trying that for 1/2 hr on both sides, swearing about 100 times, and still getting nowhere, I finally pulled a little to hard and the clips broke and off came the cap. With it off, I could at least study the design to see what I was doing wrong. I learned that I should have been sliding it forward ( I guess that's one way of interpreting "remove"...but clearly not the only way). But, even if I had slide it forward, which I had tried anyways, it would have never come off. If I get a chance I'll take some pictures of why. When you poke the screwdriver through the hole, you are bending this little metal clip back so the tab can be unlocked....theoretically. There is a metal stop built into the "bottom" side piece that's attached to the roof. Even with the cap off, you can BARELY move the clip because of this stopper. Even though you might be feeling a fair amount of "give" in the clip, it's doesn't move the actual part that locks the plastic clip hardly at all. It's tough to explain without posting the pic. I'm an engineer (OK a software engineer...but I'm still mechanically inclined). I refuse to believe this is one of those cases where a Honda Technician would have been able to pop that cap right off without the EXACT same problems I'm having. Unless some clips are different than others, I have to believe that if a cap comes off, it's because someone broke the tabs. User "cubsrule" stated he had the crossbars installed, well if you did, the Technician would have either broken the clips and put the piece back on broken, or just replaced the caps. If they didn't have any caps in stock, I'll bet he just threw it back on the best he could. And without the clips, yep...I'll bet it did fly off in transit. BTW....I think the solution is to just rip the caps off, install the crossbars, install new caps, and you'll never have to worry about it again. I can't believe replacement caps would be very expensive. Happy Piloting!!!
Cap replacement
I called around today...the caps are $10 (and change) each. No one around here had them in stock. Guess I'll have to order.
I called around today...the caps are $10 (and change) each. No one around here had them in stock. Guess I'll have to order.
Backordered!!!
I talked to Tim the other day. He didn't have the caps in stock, so he checked into whether he could order them yet. He could have ordered the left hand side, but the right hand side is backordered until Aug 30th!!! Unfortunately, I broke the one on the right hand side. However, to install the rack, I'll have to break off the left one anyways. My "temp" solution was to put off the crossbar install for now, and just superglue the tabs back on the broken side. I did this a few days ago, and it seems to be holding fine.
P.S. Tim also quoted me a slighty lower price....8 dollars and change.
I talked to Tim the other day. He didn't have the caps in stock, so he checked into whether he could order them yet. He could have ordered the left hand side, but the right hand side is backordered until Aug 30th!!! Unfortunately, I broke the one on the right hand side. However, to install the rack, I'll have to break off the left one anyways. My "temp" solution was to put off the crossbar install for now, and just superglue the tabs back on the broken side. I did this a few days ago, and it seems to be holding fine.
P.S. Tim also quoted me a slighty lower price....8 dollars and change.
Cross Bar Installation
I had same problem installing crossbar. I was trying about an hour without any progress. Luckly left roof cap came out without any damage, so I invetigated and tried same thing for right side roof cap. After anthor 30 minutes of stuggle, I decided to drill a hole into a roof cap and to undo screw that is holding the latch.. It worked...
I mend hole with rubber cements...
May be you should try to drill a hole if you still have problem with roof cap...
Good luck
I had same problem installing crossbar. I was trying about an hour without any progress. Luckly left roof cap came out without any damage, so I invetigated and tried same thing for right side roof cap. After anthor 30 minutes of stuggle, I decided to drill a hole into a roof cap and to undo screw that is holding the latch.. It worked...
I mend hole with rubber cements...
May be you should try to drill a hole if you still have problem with roof cap...
Good luck
crossbars produce excessive noise
The wind howl is extremely annoying and destroys everything enjoyable about the previously smooth ride and quiet cabin. It starts at thirty five and reaches very annoying peak at over 65 mph ..All this fusssing about how to install our crossbars is leading to another problem... your annoyance will be exacerbated and patience tested once you succeed in installing these bars that function as reed musical instrument..(not very melodious) ....Possibly crossbars can be positioned so that the aerodynamics won't produce the noise ...hope this forwarns someone....Does anyone share the problem or know the cure....
The wind howl is extremely annoying and destroys everything enjoyable about the previously smooth ride and quiet cabin. It starts at thirty five and reaches very annoying peak at over 65 mph ..All this fusssing about how to install our crossbars is leading to another problem... your annoyance will be exacerbated and patience tested once you succeed in installing these bars that function as reed musical instrument..(not very melodious) ....Possibly crossbars can be positioned so that the aerodynamics won't produce the noise ...hope this forwarns someone....Does anyone share the problem or know the cure....
Sounds like an unfortunate situation caused by a poor design. This confirms my decision to wait for Yakima "lowriders" for rack. Even if they make noise, at least they can be removed (in less than 60 seconds) when not needed.
possible solution to noisy cross bars
HALLEUJAH ! (MAYBE) I JUST READ CAREFULLY THE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS( AND DIAGRAMS)--OBVIOUSLY, SOMETHING MY MECHANIC (AKA TECHNICIAN) DID NOT DO CAREFULLY...THE CROSSBARS ARE INSTALLED BACKWARDS..THERE IS A LEADING AND A TRAILING EDGE (WIDE VS NARROW)... APPARENTLY, I WAS FLYING MY PILOT WITH ITS WINGS ON BACKWARDS.....DOLLARS TO DOUGHNUTS REVERSING THEM WILL CURE THE NOISE PROBLEM.....HOWEVER, INSTRUCTIONS WARN THAT DUMMIES LIKE ME ARE NOT TO UNDERTAKE THE INSTALLATION CHALLENGE...GUESS THE REINSTALL TASK IS RESERVED FOR THE TECHNICIAN...I REMAIN HOPEFUL AND PERHAPS MY HERETOFORE UNSHAKEABLE FAITH IN HONDA ENGINEERING WILL BE RESTORED...OH..AND I DID GET MY NEW FRONT BUMPER INSTALLED TODAY..PERHAPS THE CROSSBAR INSTALLER IS THE SAME TECHNICIAN WHO DRILLED THOSE EXTRA HOLES IN THE BUMPER .
HALLEUJAH ! (MAYBE) I JUST READ CAREFULLY THE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS( AND DIAGRAMS)--OBVIOUSLY, SOMETHING MY MECHANIC (AKA TECHNICIAN) DID NOT DO CAREFULLY...THE CROSSBARS ARE INSTALLED BACKWARDS..THERE IS A LEADING AND A TRAILING EDGE (WIDE VS NARROW)... APPARENTLY, I WAS FLYING MY PILOT WITH ITS WINGS ON BACKWARDS.....DOLLARS TO DOUGHNUTS REVERSING THEM WILL CURE THE NOISE PROBLEM.....HOWEVER, INSTRUCTIONS WARN THAT DUMMIES LIKE ME ARE NOT TO UNDERTAKE THE INSTALLATION CHALLENGE...GUESS THE REINSTALL TASK IS RESERVED FOR THE TECHNICIAN...I REMAIN HOPEFUL AND PERHAPS MY HERETOFORE UNSHAKEABLE FAITH IN HONDA ENGINEERING WILL BE RESTORED...OH..AND I DID GET MY NEW FRONT BUMPER INSTALLED TODAY..PERHAPS THE CROSSBAR INSTALLER IS THE SAME TECHNICIAN WHO DRILLED THOSE EXTRA HOLES IN THE BUMPER .
One Question
Just how many free oil changes that that dealership owe you?
Just how many free oil changes that that dealership owe you?
REVERSING BLADES-BARS SOLVES NOISE
REVERSED THE INDIVIDUAL CROSSBARS MYSELF TODAY. EASY EVEN FOR A DUMMIE ..AND INSTALLED PER HONDA INSTRUCTIONS WITH LONG FLAT AND SHORT FLAT EDGES OF CROSSBARS /BLADES IN RIGHT DIRECTIONS...TOWARD FRONT OR REAR.....AND INSTALLED/POSITIONED AT THE SPOTS INDICATED BY THE TINY MARKS(DOTS) ON INSIDE OF SIDERAILS...WHICH JUST HAPPENS TO BE 800mm APART AND FOR THOSE WHO SPEAK ENGLISH ONLY..THAT IS 31.5 INCHES....(THANKS, WEBSTER'S)
AND HELAS ! THE IRRITATING HOWL SEEMS TO HAVE VANISHED....BUT NOW I AM LISTENING HARDER FOR IT AND WILL BE FOREVER SENSITIVE TO ANY CROSSWIND BLOWING OVER MY CROSS BARS...ON TO THE NEXT SOLUTION...OH...I RAN INTO THE SERVICE MANAGER ON MY RUN TODAY AS HE WAS ON HIS WALK....YEP...I STOPPED AND WALKED...AND HE GOT AN EARFULL...YEP...YOU GUESSED IT..I DON'T GET ANY FREE OIL CHANGES...
REVERSED THE INDIVIDUAL CROSSBARS MYSELF TODAY. EASY EVEN FOR A DUMMIE ..AND INSTALLED PER HONDA INSTRUCTIONS WITH LONG FLAT AND SHORT FLAT EDGES OF CROSSBARS /BLADES IN RIGHT DIRECTIONS...TOWARD FRONT OR REAR.....AND INSTALLED/POSITIONED AT THE SPOTS INDICATED BY THE TINY MARKS(DOTS) ON INSIDE OF SIDERAILS...WHICH JUST HAPPENS TO BE 800mm APART AND FOR THOSE WHO SPEAK ENGLISH ONLY..THAT IS 31.5 INCHES....(THANKS, WEBSTER'S)
AND HELAS ! THE IRRITATING HOWL SEEMS TO HAVE VANISHED....BUT NOW I AM LISTENING HARDER FOR IT AND WILL BE FOREVER SENSITIVE TO ANY CROSSWIND BLOWING OVER MY CROSS BARS...ON TO THE NEXT SOLUTION...OH...I RAN INTO THE SERVICE MANAGER ON MY RUN TODAY AS HE WAS ON HIS WALK....YEP...I STOPPED AND WALKED...AND HE GOT AN EARFULL...YEP...YOU GUESSED IT..I DON'T GET ANY FREE OIL CHANGES...
Just left a Honda service dealer (RE:loose rear caps)
Replaced rear and front caps.
tec said that instrustions said to remove rear caps but they remove the front caps and then slide on easy(Cross Bars) with out problems.
Hope this helps
Replaced rear and front caps.
tec said that instrustions said to remove rear caps but they remove the front caps and then slide on easy(Cross Bars) with out problems.
Hope this helps
Huh?
Cigar,
Not sure I followed what you were saying about the caps. The instructions (at least the ones I downloaded) say to remove the front caps. I don't know how difficult it'd be to remove the rear caps, but the front ones are impossible. Did you mean to say they remove the rear caps instead of the front ones? Thanks.
Cigar,
Not sure I followed what you were saying about the caps. The instructions (at least the ones I downloaded) say to remove the front caps. I don't know how difficult it'd be to remove the rear caps, but the front ones are impossible. Did you mean to say they remove the rear caps instead of the front ones? Thanks.
WNYPilotGuy, I watched the service tec remove the front caps
in 1 min. then tighten some clip then reinstall end caps.
Total of 5 min. to remove and tighten all 4 end caps.
He said this was common problem in the Oddy and had a lot experience in this procedure.
He said they remove the front caps to install the cross bars.
I was mistaken in implying that the rear caps are removed to install cross bars.
in 1 min. then tighten some clip then reinstall end caps.
Total of 5 min. to remove and tighten all 4 end caps.
He said this was common problem in the Oddy and had a lot experience in this procedure.
He said they remove the front caps to install the cross bars.
I was mistaken in implying that the rear caps are removed to install cross bars.
Done deal.
I did it! Thank you to WNYPilotGuy for his post of pain. (He made a world of difference.)
Here is the deal. DO NOT TRY TO PRY IT UP! This WILL crack the clip. Take your screw driver parallel to the roof line. Put it dead center in the hole provided. Slide the plastic cap towards the front of the vehicle. It will probably take a few times to slide it as each time you do it the plastic stopper has to ride up and over the clip you are pressing. Until it is in the right position (by rocking it a few times) it does not go. Of course when I finally got it, it shot across my garage but it came off clean with no cutting. Basically the main answer is LEVERAGE. If you can get above / behind it and push it away from you it seems to go. (patience helped too, although knowing what WNY already did helped a ton.) I think if you had a second person to just push the tab in and had yourself sliding the the cap it would probably still be painful but much easier.
Thanks for listening to my pain. :2:
I did it! Thank you to WNYPilotGuy for his post of pain. (He made a world of difference.)
Here is the deal. DO NOT TRY TO PRY IT UP! This WILL crack the clip. Take your screw driver parallel to the roof line. Put it dead center in the hole provided. Slide the plastic cap towards the front of the vehicle. It will probably take a few times to slide it as each time you do it the plastic stopper has to ride up and over the clip you are pressing. Until it is in the right position (by rocking it a few times) it does not go. Of course when I finally got it, it shot across my garage but it came off clean with no cutting. Basically the main answer is LEVERAGE. If you can get above / behind it and push it away from you it seems to go. (patience helped too, although knowing what WNY already did helped a ton.) I think if you had a second person to just push the tab in and had yourself sliding the the cap it would probably still be painful but much easier.
Thanks for listening to my pain. :2:
Congratulations banningjr
I read your last post and thought....hmmm...that's exactly what I did. Well....let me try again on the cap that's still intact. Getting the same results...that damn thing won't budge. Tried rocking it....but it really doesn't rock hardly at all. Did yours rock alot? How long did you have to rock it? I was unclear about one thing. You said put the screwdriver parallel to the roof? Unless you are using a TINY flathead screwdriver, there's really only one way to put the screwdriver in the hold...and that's perpendicular to the rack. You didn't mean the "blade" of the flathead parallel to the roof line did you? And if you did....didn't make any difference anyways. I can't understand why some people can remove it...and I can't. I am mechanically inclined...really I am!!! LOL
I guess I'm still back at the "wait until I can buy replacement caps" phase. When I do get those replacement caps....I'm going to rip those $#%&*[email protected] caps off and BURN THEM!!!!
I read your last post and thought....hmmm...that's exactly what I did. Well....let me try again on the cap that's still intact. Getting the same results...that damn thing won't budge. Tried rocking it....but it really doesn't rock hardly at all. Did yours rock alot? How long did you have to rock it? I was unclear about one thing. You said put the screwdriver parallel to the roof? Unless you are using a TINY flathead screwdriver, there's really only one way to put the screwdriver in the hold...and that's perpendicular to the rack. You didn't mean the "blade" of the flathead parallel to the roof line did you? And if you did....didn't make any difference anyways. I can't understand why some people can remove it...and I can't. I am mechanically inclined...really I am!!! LOL
I guess I'm still back at the "wait until I can buy replacement caps" phase. When I do get those replacement caps....I'm going to rip those $#%&*[email protected] caps off and BURN THEM!!!!
Re: Congratulations banningjr
WNY, back away from the Pilot! I repeat, back away from the Pilot!
Now, take a deep breath.....count to 10...and let the air out sloooooooooowly.
Feel better???
It's going to be okay. I promise.
WNY, back away from the Pilot! I repeat, back away from the Pilot!
Now, take a deep breath.....count to 10...and let the air out sloooooooooowly.
Feel better
??? It's going to be okay. I promise.
WNYPilotGuy said:I can't understand why some people can remove it...and I can't. I am mechanically inclined...really I am!!! LOL
I guess I'm still back at the "wait until I can buy replacement caps" phase. When I do get those replacement caps....I'm going to rip those $#%&*[email protected] caps off and BURN THEM!!!!
1 - 20 of 68 Posts
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