How to Remove End Cap from Thule Vertex Bike Rack to Replace Cradle

Published 08/10/2019

Question:

Having a hard time removing the cap at the end of the bike rack arm in order to replace the Thule Vertex bike cradle. I have the vertex 4 bike swing away bike rack. replacing a cradle. The end cap does not appear to have a screw. I thought I read that it would either have a Philips head screw or I might have to drill out a rivet. But there does not appear to be a rivet either. Drill bit can just go right through the hole about an inch. Maybe there was supposed to be a screw in there or was at some point? See photo. Either way, what can I do to remove this cap at the end? Should it just be able to be pulled off? It seems very much fixed in place. Thanks

asked by: Todd H

Expert Reply:

You would need to remove that rivet, which is what you have shown in your photo. To remove it, find a drill bit small enough to insert through the center hole. Then use the next size up. you should only need to drill in less than a quarter of an inch to remove enough of the rivet to free the cap. Remove the remainder of the rivet from inside the tube, replace your # 852-3005-002 cradle and reinstall the cap. You'll need a pop rivet gun, which you can pick up fairly reasonably from a local hardware store or online.

expert reply by: Mike L