55fanatic

Can anyone tell me how to remove the roof rails? I have a little project in mind and would need to take them off in order to do it. Also if anyone has pictures of the roof with out them on it would be much appreciated if you could post them
-Pete

pleubner

I did this mod..... remove - strip the rails with wood pain remover - prof. clear coat with automotive ceramic (nano) paint.

pleubner

Remounting pics - 1 (reverse order to remove)

NOTE: for the end pieces it is absolutely not possible to avoid breaking the small center tabs (design)... but don't worry they will hold very firmly when remounting them.

Just remember to remove the end covers first from the outer edges (as per photo) ... there is a plastic lip on the edge near the rail.

For the center piece you need to remove the upper (close to the rail) side first.... you can see the upper tab on the photo. This means that this edge (although only a small one) must be pushed down slightly by either using a thin wire slipped between the cover and the rail, or a very skinny blade from the side)

pleubner

Remounting pics - 2 (reverse order to remove)

pleubner

Removing pieces from rails! You need to use a rubber mallet for the end pieces.

pleubner

Stripping : Used a wood paint remover & steel wool , body shop fine grain sanded for maximum adhesion of nano paint.

.... alternatively you could use only the paint remover and buffet the rails,... but then the paint would not hold!

55fanatic

do you have a picture of the car with out the roof rails themselves on similar to your last picture of post#4? Do they come off where the roof is completely flat or are there brackets permanently mounted to the roof? Do you have pictures of your completed project?

pleubner

Removed Roof rails

pleubner

Finished Project, and others....

Militant-Grunt

You're actually going to do it pete?

55fanatic

:p

pleubner

Pete! I didn't bother taking off the middle mount because I wanted to remount the rails....

PS: The truck looks more like a minivan without them on!
The new OEM SE rails cost 300 Euros + tax here..... my mod cost 35Euros! ...and it's the same!

Forget about anodizing them ... there is a metal bushing in the rail which makes it impossible to anodize (will eat into the aluminium rail surrounding)



regards

55fanatic

I dont think that this looks like a minivan?

pleubner

Ahhh,
Thats Stefan's showcar right?

Hope the pics help with the preview........ I guess something is needed to cover the holes in the trim (If you want to leave them off)

regards

55fanatic

I have something up my sleeve for the spring... my 55 will be an AMG version of Stefans... I wanted a non permanent way to delete the roof rails, every thing I have found is very much permanent, I came up with an idea a few weeks ago, and am 99% sure it will work, maybe total price to delete is going to be around $20 or $30. Im also going to lower my ML and maybe throw on some spacers to push the tires to a wider stance. Plans also include a rear roof spoiler!!!

pleubner

Also the "gucci" stuff inside?

55fanatic

no, no gucci interior!!!I like my AMG charcoal leather. Take a look at my ML on my sound domain page... Its pretty simple on the interior. I like it that way, but I want to make the exterior a little more noticeable to the normal person, not those auto enthusiasts