roof rails(need weatherstripping for channels)

proto5

Member
guys we need to find some weather stripping from mazda or someone so we can get rid of those horrible plastic rails on our roofs

i'm going to talk to mazda about it, if anyone has looked into this before tell me what you found
 
I looked into it only yesterday lol

My Mazda dealer pulled up the car on the computer, they said for starters, to take the rail off, we'll probably have to take out the interior roof liner.

The plastic rails we have on our car go through two holes in the weather seal below it (according to the computer picture.)

My dealers concern is this...we aren't sure if that black weather seal runs all the way from front to back of the car.

If it does...all you need to do is order plugs for the holes that will be left in the weather seal. The plugs have a part # (something like 50-A), but we couldn't find a price listing for those.

If it doesn't....you have to order the weather stripping for both sides of the car and it's $18.81 (US) per strip. I'm assuming the strips will come with the plugs for the holes, but it never really said.

I'm gonna take off my roof liner this week and see what we're dealing with. If you want to wait for me to screw with my car and find out what we need (that way you don't have too) then I can let you know this week lol But it's always fun to explore on your own! :D
 
I have personally seen 2 cars that NEVER had the roof rails at all. Both of these cars had weather stripping that ran from front to back and it was obviously factory, what you need to do is find out the part number for this strip. GOOD LUCK!!

Griff
 
Seems to me IF the dealer new as much about the cars as we do you wouldn't have much of a problem....

get the weatherstrip for a CANADIAN P-5....if you remember....THEY don't come with roof racks...thus the stripping wouldn't have the holes in it in the first place....simply replace yours...with that from the great white north!
 
I have personally seen 2 cars that NEVER had the roof rails at all. Both of these cars had weather stripping that ran from front to back and it was obviously factory, what you need to do is find out the part number for this strip. GOOD LUCK!!

Griff
 
thanks guys for the input. im sure that the stripping doesn't run all the way down because you can see the empty channels when the rail caps are off

onatrum letme know what we're working with it will help me out alot.
 
Yeah, when I went into my dealer, and asked them how to get the rails off, they started getting that "it can't be done" face. So I quickly mentioned that the Canadian version doesn't have them, and they decided to look it up.

Hopefully if I don't sleep all frick'n day tomorrow, I'll actually get started on that. So I'll let ya know what I come across.
 
proto5 said:
thanks guys for the input. im sure that the stripping doesn't run all the way down because you can see the empty channels when the rail caps are off

onatrum letme know what we're working with it will help me out alot.

you are correct...on US cars it doesn't run all the way down....however...on CANADIAN cars...it does...from front to back. THAT is the part you need to do what you want to do .
 
The problem is that the rack on the US model bolts onto the roof, leaving at least two holes on each side, at the bottom of that "gutter". I think we know where water would run to once the rack was removed. It would be very important to properly seal these holes to avoid leaks under there, either causing corrosion to the roof or getting water under your headliner.
 
from the pictures I have been shown and my understanding of this...the fasteners you mention do NOT penitrate the actual roof.
 
It never hurts to call mazda usa and have them ask the engineers dealers are mostly lazy and get that it can't be done face alot.
 
Just finished removing the racks...

Started at 3:00 pm, finished at 7:00pm. Stopped for a half hour to eat.

If you can wait until tomorrow, I will add all the pictures I took and all the details to my webpage. Plus, I'm gonna stop at my Mazda Dealer after work tomorrow, and get the part # for the rails you will need to order to fill in then channel.

Also, it'd be best if you wait until you get the part # from me or your dealer, then you can order what you need, and have it when you start your project. I will be driving this week with out my roof liner (no point in putting it back in) and with two big grooves on the top of my car lol :rolleyes:

But to confirm what was said above...

The black rail that starts at the front of the car DOES NOT cover the channel completely. It is about 12 inches long. The part you need to order will fill the channel, front to back.

And yes, there will be holes in your roof that can leak, SIX HOLES PER SIDE. I filled the holes with weatherstripping sealant and covered them with electrical tape until I have the new rails next week.

You will understand all of this when you see the pictures, but I really have to get ready for a party, so I'm outta here.

But on a side note, when you look at the car from an angle...I think it's worth it :D
 

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Onatrum

Good stuff....finally someone that has actually done it....and now we have information that is factual and not RUMOR from a dealer....thanks...will be looking forward to seeing the pics
 
I'm in Canada, with a P5 and no rails.

I'd LOVE to have a set of your 'Merican P5 Rails instead of the ugly Thule racks we have here.

I'd make a swap complete if anyone's interested.

I don't want to go back to no-racks (kayak, bike and skiis), so to make a swap with someone interested is the best bet.

Thanks.
 
hey all...

Hopefully you can wait maybe a couple more hours?? lol

I gotta leave to take a final in about 30 minutes. But I promise I'll post everything as soon as I get back. If ya wanna check between 8 and 9 (it's 5:00 right now here in Ohio), I'll be sure to have what ya want.

There was a little confusion at the dealer because I had a different guy than last time and obviously had to re-explain everything I've done and need. Last week, the guy I talked to said $18.81 per "part." Well this week, this guy said I need a different part and the bill total came to $139.58...BIG DIFFERENCE. So I don't know if this guy knows what he's doing/talking about. I'll give you the part #'s we ordered today, but if you want to wait until Thursday (when the truck is SUPPOSED to arrive), I'll let you know if they got me the right thing.

BJ3D509LOD
BJ3D509HOD

I'm pretty sure that's what it says, but he's got some sloppy hand writing. If you'd like, take those #'s to your dealer and have them look them up. Their computers should show you the picture so you can see what those parts are. I'll keep my fingers crossed I get the right thing ;)
 
The parts list for 120 Canadian (about 80 bucks, 'Merican). If anyone wants these and want to deal on a set of 'Merican roof rails, please let me know...
 
Okay all...

here's the link to all the pictures.

if you want specific pictures of something, let me know soon while my car is in pieces :rolleyes:

Also, I'd consider selling my roof racks, but the driver side has some minor damage from something long ago. If anyone is still interested, I can send pics of the damage.

Thanks to everybody for being patient.

Project Rail Removal

Let me know if something doesn't work.
 
Good Job

congradulation on the project, lots of details, you did a verry good job.

Makes me happy to have the canadian model, it saves me a lot of trouble.
 
thanks Badvmc...

I kinda wish we woulda had a choice whether we wanted the racks or not, that way I wouldn't had to have done all that. But I guess we can't always get what we want. lol ;)
 
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