Recommended Solution to Mount SportRack Vista XL Cargo Box on 2009 Subaru Forrester Factory Bars
Updated 07/27/2021 | Published 07/25/2021
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Question:
I have a 2009 Subaru Forester with factory roof cross-bars. I recently purchased a SportRack Vista Cargo Box SR7018. The mounting holes of the cargo box line up with the outer, thick portions of the cross-bars. As such, the standard U-Bolts that are supplied with the SportRack do not have a lot of available threads exposed to the interior of the cargo box for tightening. Are there any longer-threaded U-Bolts that would fit the hole spacing of the aforementioned cargo box? I hope Ive explained clearly and thanks for any suggestions.
asked by: Steven S
Expert Reply:
I do understand what you're referring to, and I'm not aware of a longer U-bolt we carry that would fit in the mounting holes on your SportRack Vista XL # SR7018, but I do have a solution for you. I recommend switching to the Replacement QM3 - Quick Mount Hardware - for Adventurer Cargo Box # TH04997, which might require some re-drilling of the holes on your box to match up with the brackets on the QM3 hardware. With that said, it is the best available solution since it would allow you to use any bolt length with the QM3 hardware and accommodate your factory bars.
When making these modifications I recommend using some Loctite RTV 598 High-Performance Silicone Gasket Maker - Black - 2.7-Fl Oz Tube # LT37467 to re-seal the old holes.
