OE Crossbars installed but not fitting properly!

[Looper]

Just received and installed the Tesla Crossbars. Very simple but 1 of the cross bars, at both anchor points, has an 1/8in gap at the base plate and roof. I've uninstalled 5 times, even used the extra brackets they supplied. The brackets are secured completely down so it's not the vehicle. Anyone else having that issue? Of course the Tesla app and website don't allow exchanges for damaged parts and good luck talking to a person. Suggestions?

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[dalton108]

Pictures would be helpful.

 

[Dclewis]

Make sure the bar itself is oriented correctly. There are arrows that need to be pointed towards the front of the vehicle that say "front".

 

[Looper]

I'll post a picture when weather permits. Yes they are oriented correctly. One simply won't cinch down to roof as it needs to.

 

[Looper]

 

[dmrasm]

I have a similar issue. The crossbar that isn’t all the way down appears to be installed at “position 2” (roof mounts closest to the bed)??? I installed crossbars at position 2 and 3. The crossbar installed over the bed required more force when closing the door to lock the clip and the click was much more secure. The crossbar at position 2 almost had no click when the clip engaged and was much more passive, almost no effort. The crossbar over the roof has a slight amount of rock compared to the crossbar over the bed but is otherwise very stable. I’m thinking it may have something to do with that particular position.

 

[Pops]

There is someone on this forum that posted pictures showing their anchor points were too low. They said that Tesla looked at it and said it was within spec. It seems like you have the opposite problem and your anchors are just a bit too high.

Point being, their appears to be a lot of variability in their positioning of the anchors.

 

[Furiosa]

Measure the space between the top of the installed metal catch piece and the top of the roof at each location. The one you are having trouble with should be closer to the roof top, and I bet the little door top would not even fully close. This would confirm whether it was the attachment piece or the crossbar piece that has the issue. Then check the attachment piece to make sure it is the same size as all the others. That would help diagnose whether the bolt area on the ridge Just sticks up too far. If all of those shows that in the case I bet you could get a welder to remake you a small piece to replace that part that has a slightly lower profile. If you can get the part to have a lower profile it will suck down tighter to the roof.

 

[Looper]

Yes the cross clamp needs to be slightly higher to bite down properly on the anchor in the 2nd roof position. When I switched the crossbars 2nd to 1st it was more secure in 2nd position. Tells me crossbar may be more of the culprit. I'm going to add a spacer on top of mounting bracket but need to find right thickness and something durable. Thanks for input!

 

[cyberjeff25]

I found that rhe threaded pieces under the flap on the ones over the cab already have screws on them but the ones over the bed did not - if you don’t remove the already installed nuts the bar will latch but it will sit proud of the surface and not go all the way down —-

if your putting the connectors on over the cab without a ladder you won’t be able to see there is a nut already installed.
Had the same problem until I removed the connector piece and got a ladder and could see the already installed nuts -/

 

[cyberjeff25]

Have nuts on them…

 

[Looper]

I found that rhe threaded pieces under the flap on the ones over the cab already have screws on them but the ones over the bed did not - if you don’t remove the already installed nuts the bar will latch but it will sit proud of the surface and not go all the way down —-

if your putting the connectors on over the cab without a ladder you won’t be able to see there is a nut already installed.
Had the same problem until I removed the connector piece and got a ladder and could see the already installed nuts -/

I wish that was the case. Thanks but it's the crossbars or possibly partially the truck in that position. I've found a spacer that will hopefully work to create space. The local Tesla shop manager said they would take a look for a solution.

 

[hgpilot]

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I just installed 2 sets and they fit perfectly with zero issues. I do have one questions for those of you who have purchased / installed - I got 8 mounting plates per set - in other words, 16 plates for a total of 4 bars (and I only need 8 total). Why did Tesla send so many extras? At first I thought they might be slightly different but they are all exactly the same.

 

[hgpilot]

My goal for all 4 bars is to carry long rigid outdoor equipment - like a paddleboard or my hang glider - the first bar (over top of the door) is unfortunately 1 inch shorter than the rest and I'll need to put a 2 by 4 block under whatever I'm carrying as my cargo isn't flexible / won't conform to the drop - seems like an odd oversight? Using my son's crew paddle for the demonstration.

 

[dalton108]

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I just installed 2 sets and they fit perfectly with zero issues. I do have one questions for those of you who have purchased / installed - I got 8 mounting plates per set - in other words, 16 plates for a total of 4 bars (and I only need 8 total). Why did Tesla send so many extras? At first I thought they might be slightly different but they are all exactly the same.

They aren’t really extras. They’re sold in a pair so when you buy a pair you’re given all of the attachment plates that you need so that you can choose where you want to mount your crossbars at will without having to move the brackets along with the bar which would defeat the purpose of them being quick release.

So, if you buy two sets (like me and you) you get that all over again it’s not like they actually sell a four pack.

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