GL Class (X166) 2013-2015 after facelift became GLS (X166)

Factory Cross bar issue

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Old Oct 2, 2023 | 08:19 AM
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gl63 and s550
Factory Cross bar issue

I'm gearing up for the upcoming holidays so I bought a Thule Evolution 1800 and some factory bars. No matter what I do I can not get the lock covers to close far enough to lock because the inside of the plastic is hitting the metal part of the clamp that turns.
i noticed the clamp that is supposed th grib the bottom of the roof rack is not gripping the bottom its riding up the side of the roof rack.
i have tried the oem suggested locations and tried made adjustments and nothingnis working.


This is on my 2015 GL63 AMG.
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Old Oct 2, 2023 | 11:25 AM
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gl450
It's hard to tell from your picture what the issue is. Have you unscrewed the tightening clamp/bolt far enough?
For reference, here's the location of my crossbars and a closeup of the clamp:



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Old Oct 2, 2023 | 02:28 PM
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I have loosened them all the way. I can not get my lower part of my clamp tonsit as low as your 2nd picture.
Originally Posted by mtm
It's hard to tell from your picture what the issue is. Have you unscrewed the tightening clamp/bolt far enough?
For reference, here's the location of my crossbars and a closeup of the clamp:


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Old Oct 3, 2023 | 09:10 AM
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Have you tried moving them farther back? The rails narrow towards the back - maybe they will fit then?
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Old Oct 3, 2023 | 09:25 AM
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Originally Posted by mtm
Have you tried moving them farther back? The rails narrow towards the back - maybe they will fit then?
I have
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Old Oct 3, 2023 | 11:36 AM
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07 C280 4matic, 2014 GL450, 91 VW Vanagon
Maybe a silly question, but there is a front and back along with a left and right side. Have you verified proper placement?
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Old Feb 4, 2024 | 12:21 AM
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2007 E550 Sport
I’ve used the OEM crossbars on my X166 GL and experienced the poor fitment which I always feared loosening or coming off on road trips.

I eventually upgraded to the Thule bars that had a much better fitment and locked on way better. They were lower profile and looked way better and were quieter too.

btw. I don’t have GL anymore so I’m selling them. Let me know if interested.

Last edited by NA55; Feb 4, 2024 at 12:31 AM.
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