Thread: Fitting Rhino Racks

Did you buy them specifically for a defender ? there are different clamps for different vehicles.

ie the Troopie clamps look almost identical but don't work on a defender (come loose).
I inherited some rhino racks from a troopie and had all sorts of problems until I got the right clamps (its only the right angled bit the wraps under the gutter).

I don't have any problems removing/refitting on my defender.



Martyn

If there is a method I'd like to know what is as I had the same problem. I ended up using a hide mallet to tap them on - very carefully.

An extra 5mm of bolt length would help and next time mine come off I'm planning to do that. Rhino do longer bolts but I suggest you don't use them. They are made from cheese and its very easy to strip out the socket if you put enough tension in them to keep them in place.

Go and buy some real stainless bolts, either hex hd or button hd and use loctite on them.
I've had a few problems with bolts coming loose on these legs and the rack I had on my D4. I like the Rhino stuff but this is their one weak point.

Cheers,
Jon

That's interesting Martyn. I did buy them specifically for a Defender - they have the scalloped edges to clear the roof, but I don't know if there is anything special about the clamp on mine.

Mine are still a bastard to fit though, they just need a little extra thread length to swing the clamp down beneath the gutter.

Cheers,
Jon

I have the scalloped ones, not had the same problem with bolt length though but have to undo them almost all the way to swing the clamp out

Only problem was stripping thread out of one of the barrels the bolt screws into, was easy to replace.

Never had a problem with bolts coming undone, but did get into the habit of checking every few days when on the rough stuff.

Simon

I have Proracks which are just standard gutter mount racks and I found the same thing.


When I looked close I noticed there is a lot more sealant in the gutter than normal which makes the gutter thicker hence the bolt being too short.


I just bought 10mm longer bolts from a fasteners shop for about $3 and have no probs, only takes 5 mins to fit and I only put them on when I need them so I can still get into carparks.


Cheers
Sean

Originally Posted by jon3950

If there is a method I'd like to know what is as I had the same problem. I ended up using a hide mallet to tap them on - very carefully.

An extra 5mm of bolt length would help and next time mine come off I'm planning to do that. Rhino do longer bolts but I suggest you don't use them. They are made from cheese and its very easy to strip out the socket if you put enough tension in them to keep them in place.

Go and buy some real stainless bolts, either hex hd or button hd and use loctite on them.
I've had a few problems with bolts coming loose on these legs and the rack I had on my D4. I like the Rhino stuff but this is their one weak point.

Cheers,
Jon

Yea I have the right ones .....but as above the bolts could be a few mls longer
.....Rhino is good stuff and I have used before ...not a defender set .....ill call rhino and see if they can supply longer bolts ...( at the price of these things I don't feel I should have to replace the bolts ) .....if no choice I'll get my own longer ones .....and use lock tight

Thanks again to all ....thought it was me .....but looks like it's a little flaw in design

A bit more in this thread (icluding part No's)


Martyn

Originally Posted by landoman

Thanks again to all ....thought it was me .....but looks like it's a little flaw in design

Definitely a flaw in the design. We had the same ones for my dad's D2 and promptly replaced the bolts with longer ones. The short bolts are a nightmare.