Roof rack self-installation -- EASY!

[RobertinMD]

UPS delivered my OEM roof racks yesterday from mazdaparts.org, which I installed when I got home from work in no more than 20 minutes or so.

Don't be intimidated. I'll admit that I was at first, but after getting quotes from dealerships on what they would charge to put them on (up to $100), I decided to give it a go. I carefully read ahead of time the instructions that someone here posted and decided that, "hey, I can do this." I'm like, I spent $450 on this one order (roof racks, front all-weather mats, cargo net, cargo tray), I wouldn't mind not spending another hundred bucks.

Piece of cake. Maybe the hardest part was removing the little covers over the pre-drilled holes for the T25 screws. But I used a big flat-head screwdriver (over a towel) to help them along in the direction of the arrows, and off they came...no big deal.

I am very happy I was able to save the money I was ready to fork over to have someone else do it. It is also a good feeling of satisfaction that you've done something all by yourself -- especially true for me since I am, at times, very mechanically-challenged. HA!

Now, on to what is probably a bigger task than the roof racks: installing my new cargo tray (I didn't know a drill was involved!).

(limb)

 

[ceric]

For cargo tray, drilling is not a must.
I put them on w/o drilling. They stay on pretty well.

Be craeful, though.
DIY can be addictive.... don't say I did not warn you....

 

[RobertinMD]

For cargo tray, drilling is not a must.
I put them on w/o drilling. They stay on pretty well.

Be craeful, though.
DIY can be addictive.... don't say I did not warn you....

Alas, I didn't see your post until later and I went ahead and installed the cargo tray (with a drill and all)...but it all turned out good! I was careful to just get past the initial resistance on the seat back and stopped immediately after it broke through that part. Then it was just a matter of pushing the plastic "screws" over the two places at each end of the velcro strips. There was nothing to the rest of it. I must say I am loving it. It looks great and offers the coverage I'm looking for without interfering with the 3rd rows, up or down.

On the DIY part, I know my limitations...LOL. The danger for me is not being able to resist buying the next accessory...and the next one...and the next one...etc. :-D

 

[mfaubert]

Let me add my 2 as well as to how easy this is to install. Don't pay dealership pricing - find it on line and DIY!

 

[table5511]

And Mazda says in bitter retaliation: "DIY will void your warranty."

 

[mfaubert]

Such a party pooper.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Not all DIY
The majority of DIY they are against is the type where you add parts that push the vehicle past it's design tolerances, e.g. Turbos, CATs, etc. You know those garage hacks who think they can build a better car than a team of seasoned engineers.

Btw I also added the retaining clips when I installed our cargo liner. I used a depth collar on my bit that prevented it from going too deep. Got to say I love our liner best $100 I spent on the CX 9 so far.