How to remove / replace plastic roof strips??

[fdsailor]

Hello all,

In pursuit of roof rails that are both attractive enough and work, I am investigating placing a set of Ford Edge rails on the Mazda 5. As I want a solid attachment, etc, it is going to take some engineering and understanding of the underlying structure.

As a first part in doing this, I would like to temporarily remove the dark grey plastic strips that bridge the weld joints on the roof (not the plastic caps over the factory bolt places, the entire plastic strip).

Does anyone actually KNOW how these can be removed and replaced? I could guess, but... don't want to get in a situation where I have broken something which is even hard to order as it is not a "normal" part. Does it slide off one end, up pop up, or... you get the idea...

Thanks,
Chuck

 

[flcruising]

If you are that afraid of breaking them, then why don't you find the part and price first, and then experiment with removal and replacement. If it's like every other I've seen, it clips into place, but that doesn't mean you won't break a clip or two when removing them.

In pursuit of roof rails that are both attractive enough and work...

What do you define as 'work'? Roof rails that are permanently installed still require cross bars which you will still remove when not in use.

 

[fdsailor]

Well, after considerable emoting and investigating, I have acquired some Ford Edge bars, and want to solidly attach them to the car - but without messing up the curtain airbags, etc which are in the area. So investigating making a custom metal strip supports the tapped receptacle for the rack mounts, then in turn mounts using multiple blind-tapping screws. I don't want to attach the rack directly using self-tap, but.. can consider trusting multiple self-tap holding a mounting bracket under the strip.

Hope that made sense, sort of hard to explain. But.. this is why I want to get the strip off.

 

[fdsailor]

I did find this for the Mazda 3, wondering if anyone knows if it is similar on a M5 - the rail is not exactly the same (narrower, metal), but..

http://**************************/forum/f33/how-replace-your-roof-rails-roof-rack-use-53600/