Roof Rack Removal on a 2010 RX350

Lexus RX series of SUV first arrived in the U.S. marketplace in 1998 as the RX300. In 2004, Lexus bumped the engine size to 3.3-liter and changed the name to RX330. Then in 2007, Lexus increased the engine size to 3.5-liter and changed the name to RX350. The 2010 RX350 came standard with a dual-rail-style roof rack, so you could add your own optional carrier to the roof. Removing the two rails that make up the roof rack is a straightforward process, once you know where Lexus hid the bolts.

Instructions

    1

    Park the RX350 on a flat, paved surface. Set up a 6-foot-high stepladder next to the front of one of the roof rack rails.

    2

    Climb the ladder and place several strips of painters masking tape around the perimeter of the leg cover, the plastic cover on the end of the roof rack rail.

    3

    Pry upward around the perimeter of the leg cover with a molding remover to unfasten the covers retaining claws. Remove the leg cover to expose the two mounting bolts.

    4

    Remove the two mounting bolts with a ratchet and socket.

    5

    Position the ladder so it is next to the rear of the roof rack rail.

    6

    Repeat steps 2 through 4 to unbolt the rear of the roof rack rail from the roof of the RX350.

    7

    Pull the rubber seal off the rear of the roof, where the roof rack leg was positioned. Set a new seal in place of the old one, aligning the bolt holes in the seal with the bolt holes in the roof of the SUV.

    8

    Move the ladder to where the front of the roof rack rail was positioned and remove the front seal. Repeat Step 7 to remove the old seal and install a new one.

    9

    Set a new roof rack rail in place on the roof and hand-thread the four retaining bolts, two on the front and two on the rear. Tighten the bolts to 25 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.

    10

    Line up the claws on each of the leg covers on the roof rack rail with the slots in the roof rack rails leg. Press downward on each leg cover to lock it into place. Remove the painters masking tape.

    11

    Repeat steps 2 through 10 to remove and install the roof rack rail on the other side of the RX350.