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Wed Nov 02, 2011 10:09 am

I got a roof rack yesterday. I'm trying to install the clamps but either I'm doing something wrong, something is bent, or I have the wrong clamps for the rack. I've searched and not found my question answered.

Here are some pics to show the problem:

The little locking bracket is interfering with the legs and so the clamp will not clip fully under the gutter.

Fits fine without the locking bracket

Does the bracket have the right bend to it?

Thanks!

Wed Nov 02, 2011 10:28 am

I'm not super familiar with those clamps but my guess is that they don't go over the legs.

Install them 1/2 way between the legs?

Wed Nov 02, 2011 10:36 am

Well if you look at the first pic you can clearly see that that inner bracket has a curve to fit the legs. Maybe they're the wrong clamps?

Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:32 am

Looks like a super easy fix!!! drill a new hole and slide the inner piece down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:40 am

what type of rack is it? maybe not the right clamps?

Wed Nov 02, 2011 6:52 pm

Show what the top of the clamp is attached to. Usually those racks have an eye-bolt installed before the crossmembers are welded that holds up a finger clamp with a wing nut or the like. They look like killer holders but they might need to be tweaked where the top hooks on.

Wed Nov 02, 2011 7:21 pm

They are the spring loaded type clamps. Here are a couple more pics, I hope they help.

Wed Nov 02, 2011 7:41 pm

Those don't work lined up with the legs. The inner and outer clap onto the gutter, a 6 leg full rack originally had only 4 clamps.

Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:32 pm

Tried searching with no luck. There was a low mileage 66? bus posted a few months ago with one of those full length roof racks that looked like it had not been on the bus more than a week since new and had been in the garage since. Had VW of Germany paper labels still on it.
Nice rack type, but not near as robust as others made back then.

Agree you have the inner clamp part flipped around the wrong way, and the outer part of the clamp looks like the hook that goes under the drip rail has been pulled/bent out.

Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:35 am

I agree it does look like the cut out is for hugging the tubing. The bottom of the inner bracket looks like it might fit better if the inner piece were turned around. I know that's not right for the cutout but the bottom might fit the gutter better. What be be a clincher is if the cutout went all the way up to the springy tube thingarookus. I'd use them the way you show in the picture of the whole clamp and rack.

Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:33 am

Perhaps those clamps were outsourced (like many parts/accessories) and they are universal to several racks the manufacturer made. I too have only seen those clamps off-line from the supports.
Me thinks the problem is overthinked.

Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:32 am

As usual Mr. Hitest hits the nail on the head. Years ago I spent the better part of an afternoon fiddling with that style clamp only to come to the above mentioned conclusion.

Thu Nov 03, 2011 10:50 am

Thanks guys, I guess that's how I'll run them.

Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:55 pm

Anyone know were to find spring loaded clamps like above to fit this rack?

Tue Sep 12, 2017 9:32 am

I've got a set of these clamps too - unfortunately one one end the threads have seized. The tube is such a thin wall, I don't think I can really wrench on them to turn them. Any ideas?

Tue Sep 12, 2017 12:19 pm

kguarnotta wrote: I've got a set of these clamps too - unfortunately one one end the threads have seized. The tube is such a thin wall, I don't think I can really wrench on them to turn them. Any ideas?

I would try heat and PB blaster. Carefully....

Tue Sep 12, 2017 12:25 pm

Found previously mentioned post.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=613579&highlight=voa+roof+rack

Wed Sep 27, 2017 4:41 pm

I finally got mine apart. A few pieces were damaged during the taking apart. I've gotten them fixed, but don't look too pretty anymore.

I was going to talk to a couple local machine shops about making reproductions of these clamps. Obviously the price comes way down once I make some in volume.

What would the demand be for this type of spring loaded clamp? If they were made in stainless steel, and were designed with a hex style tube - so you could put a wrench on them.

Anyone interested in this sort of thing??s

Wed Sep 27, 2017 4:50 pm

kguarnotta wrote:
Anyone interested in this sort of thing??s

Might try an ad in the classifieds. See how many want. Then if long enough list , have folks pony up money to prepay for production.