Big Sky Euro

Hey guys,
So I put my new Thule rack on last week and it fits great, but now my doors - mainly my drivers side squeaks like a mutha right about at the latch area. Has anybody else had this happen? I've had a couple of racks on vehicles and never had the doors squeak like this.

I think I can lube up the seals so they don't squeak, but that seems like a temp fix, and I would prefer something more permanent.

Any suggestions?

You mean the latch where the door closes? It might be being pushed down by the rack putting pressure on the weatherstripping. You might try putting some grease on the latch/striker plate. You might also be able to loosen the latch on the door and move it up a tiny bit. That might help. Or you could take it back to the dealer for some warranty squeek work......

Rennwagen1 wrote:You mean the latch where the door closes? It might be being pushed down by the rack putting pressure on the weatherstripping. You might try putting some grease on the latch/striker plate. You might also be able to loosen the latch on the door and move it up a tiny bit. That might help. Or you could take it back to the dealer for some warranty squeek work......

Yeah it seems to be right where the latch is, but I think it is the weather stripping because it looks a little worn from open/close. You make a good point - the rack is definitely pushing down and out on the top of the door causing a different stress on the door, squeak.

I lubed it up last night but I also just took the rack off for now. No squeaks, and anyway I want to put down some 3M clear underneath the foot pads so it won't scratch the paint all up - do you have a good source for that? I'll pick some up from you if you sell it by the yard lol. Let me know and I'll drop you a line.

My car hasn't been to the dealership since I bought it, mainly because I don't want to pay ~$90/hr for shop labor here @ Dana Saab/(non)VW. And I have some skillz - i have been a bike (the pedal kind...) mechanic and worked in several shops since I was 16. Recalls? In fact I still need to get the turn signal switch replaced, although nothing is wrong with it. The brake light switch doesn't affect my make/model (mfg. 12/99). 108K and counting on the 2.o, still going to turbo someday.

If you need some 3m PPF for the foot pads, I can just send you some scrap, how much do you think you will need?

Rennwagen1 wrote:If you need some 3m PPF for the foot pads, I can just send you some scrap, how much do you think you will need?

That'd be cool! I probably only need maybe 2 sq/ft total- just enough to go under the foot and have about 1/4-1/2 inch extra on all four sides. I can measure the dimensions when I get home tonight if that would help. I was also thinking of covering other things like my headlights, but I'm not sure the 3M would be the best stuff...I'll send you $$ for whatever it costs to ship - just LMK.

If you can give me some dimensions, I can actually cut out the pieces on my plotter, and you will just have to peel and stick. I will be leaving for Las Vegas for a week tomorrow morning (5:30 am, ugh ) to go watch some NASCAR down there. Say what you all will, unless you have see it in person, don't knock it!! If you PM me the dimension, I can plot them and send them on.

You can use 8 mil PPF on your headlights. I have been using the 20 Mil Headlight protection film for years, but with the way that headlights are transforming into gigantic plastic wastelands, I am finding that the PPF is much easier to use on them. I can cut those out also, and send them on fi you wish. If you do want the 20 mil, I have clear, yellow, smoke and blue. PPF is all clear. Talk to you later!!

Rennwagen1 wrote:If you can give me some dimensions, I can actually cut out the pieces on my plotter, and you will just have to peel and stick. I will be leaving for Las Vegas for a week tomorrow morning (5:30 am, ugh ) to go watch some NASCAR down there. Say what you all will, unless you have see it in person, don't knock it!! If you PM me the dimension, I can plot them and send them on.

You can use 8 mil PPF on your headlights. I have been using the 20 Mil Headlight protection film for years, but with the way that headlights are transforming into gigantic plastic wastelands, I am finding that the PPF is much easier to use on them. I can cut those out also, and send them on fi you wish. If you do want the 20 mil, I have clear, yellow, smoke and blue. PPF is all clear. Talk to you later!!

Hey Renn, I grabbed the measurements from the rack foot and the pad is 6"x2". So maybe a PFF of 6-1/2"x2-1/2" for 1/4" overlap on all 4 sides - maybe more than a 1/4" would be better? It definitely couldn't hurt to go like 1/2" - whatever you can do would be awesome. I would also like to get some headlight film in the 20mil clear, and if you need dimensions there I would be more than willing to do that. I've also considered doing a b-pillar blackout with black vinyl...and then making sets to sell on the vortex, e-bay, GTG's if you are interested. I can also see a market for the foot pads. All it takes is one million-dollar idea and you'll be ballin 4 life...

Oh and seriously dude tell me if how much this costs cause I will pay - I'm not a freeloader

Maybe I can trade you for some web or computer work.

I am working on cutting them right now. I wil cut them 7" by 2.75" to give you some extra in case they get loose and more around for some freak reason. I cut them on 18" film, so you got two extras in case you screw a couple up. Also I forgot to ask. what kind of Ipod do you have? I got a treat for you........

Also, are you looking for just bulk 20mil material, or do you want me to cut the headlights out of the plotter. super easy for me, and 10X easier for you. Or are you looking to cover something else?

Rennwagen1 wrote:I am working on cutting them right now. I wil cut them 7" by 3" to give you some extra in case they get loose and more around for some freak reason. Also I forgot to ask. what kind of Ipod do you have? I got a treat for you........

Also, are you looking for just bulk 20mil material, or do you want me to cut the headlights out of the plotter. super easy for me, and 10X easier for you. Or are you looking to cover something else?

Snap! - thx. I actually have a Creative Zen Vision:M 30Gb "iPod"...

Please cut the headlights on the plotter - I am not that good with the X-acto knife.

DIY coming BTW.

Got the PPF cut, and cut out the H/L film, but one is not the same size for some reason, I think the film shifted in the plotter. I will re-cut them tomorrow. I was going to send over an Ipod PPF kit also, but they do not have them for anything other than true Ipods. You could always give it a shot yourself when you get it......I will have a total for you tomorrow....shouldn't be too much.