OEM roof rails success

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KWolfe81

Member
Just for anyone searching this in the future: my 144" HR VS30 did not come with roof rails. I just got the OEM rails installed and I'm really happy.

I ordered Part Number "910-890-05-0" from shopmbparts.com. Sale price was $289.14, with the total being $332.79 after shipping and tax. Quick delivery via Fedex.

The kit came with everything I needed - 4 rail sections that fit together, plastic caps on all ends, bolts preinstalled, rubber gaskets around the bolts, and all nuts needed. I used the chisel method recommended by Tec Vanlife to remove the old caps, went flawlessly and no scratches to the roof either. Dropped the rails in, tightened the nuts, and done, all within ~30 minutes.

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artvandelay

artvandelay

Active member
Did the same awhile back, and it’s satisfyingly easy. I used a heat gun from the inside to pop out the plugs, and then hit them again on top to clean up any remaining glue before putting the rails in.
 
likes2fish

likes2fish

Well-known member
I bought mine from RB Components at $788.
You may have found a glitch in the system since building out all the parts included in the what you got comes up closer to the price I paid.
https://www.shopmbparts.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-front-rail-9068500168 is just the front rail so two of those, plus the rear sections, plus any hardware.
This is where I usually insert a "Congrats. Happy for You" meme because while I initially felt like I overpaid - I think you just got a great deal.
 
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EBS-P

EBS-P

Well-known member
My MB parts guy said they didn’t have a part that would fit my passenger van! God job!
 
Eric B

Eric B

Well-known member
EBS-P said:
My MB parts guy said they didn’t have a part that would fit my passenger van! God job!
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If your van didn't come with, and you give the last 8 of your vin to the parts counter guy, he will tell you that it's not available for your van.
He's not saying you can't retrofit them, he is saying your van didn't come with them - which is dumb, because that's why you are at the parts counter to begin with ... Not the greatest, this whole "we'll search for parts based on your vin" thing ... Give him the last 8 of a vin that has what you want and suddenly he'll be able to order the corresponding parts ...
 
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likes2fish

likes2fish

Well-known member
Installed the OEM roof rails. 90 minutes total from getting all the gear together, washing the roof, drying the roof, melting the plugs out, cleaning the adhesive, isopropyl the roof, drop the rails, bolt the rails.

Used a portable power station for the heat gun and was happy that I only burned through 36% of capacity while running the gun for what felt like a while.

Honestly think I spent the most time trying to clean the gunk from the top side after melting them out and then realized I was being a bit to anal for the task at hand.
outlines the melty push method and my mistake was being a bit aggressive in melting and squeezing. Added minutes of work when the plug got melty crushed and then didn't want to go up. Tried to just press it out after heating and that went worse. 30 seconds is a bit too much heat with the settings I had it on.

Now to see if I can find a torque spec for these bolts but honestly - I'm probably good with half an ugga. ugga-dugga would be waaaay to much.
 
artvandelay

artvandelay

Active member
likes2fish said:
Installed the OEM roof rails. 90 minutes total from getting all the gear together, washing the roof, drying the roof, melting the plugs out, cleaning the adhesive, isopropyl the roof, drop the rails, bolt the rails.

Used a portable power station for the heat gun and was happy that I only burned through 36% of capacity while running the gun for what felt like a while.

Honestly think I spent the most time trying to clean the gunk from the top side after melting them out and then realized I was being a bit to anal for the task at hand.
outlines the melty push method and my mistake was being a bit aggressive in melting and squeezing. Added minutes of work when the plug got melty crushed and then didn't want to go up. Tried to just press it out after heating and that went worse. 30 seconds is a bit too much heat with the settings I had it on.

Now to see if I can find a torque spec for these bolts but honestly - I'm probably good with half an ugga. ugga-dugga would be waaaay to much.
Click to expand...
@likes2fish I went with 6 lb-ft when I did mine which felt right. Squeeze the washer not crush it out of the way.
 

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coastie44

Active member
likes2fish said:
Installed the OEM roof rails. 90 minutes total from getting all the gear together, washing the roof, drying the roof, melting the plugs out, cleaning the adhesive, isopropyl the roof, drop the rails, bolt the rails.

Used a portable power station for the heat gun and was happy that I only burned through 36% of capacity while running the gun for what felt like a while.

Honestly think I spent the most time trying to clean the gunk from the top side after melting them out and then realized I was being a bit to anal for the task at hand.
outlines the melty push method and my mistake was being a bit aggressive in melting and squeezing. Added minutes of work when the plug got melty crushed and then didn't want to go up. Tried to just press it out after heating and that went worse. 30 seconds is a bit too much heat with the settings I had it on.

Now to see if I can find a torque spec for these bolts but honestly - I'm probably good with half an ugga. ugga-dugga would be waaaay to much.
Click to expand...
This is great. I saw this thread and promptly ordered oem roof rails for $330 delivered also! They haven’t shown up yet though…
 
likes2fish

likes2fish

Well-known member
artvandelay said:
@likes2fish I went with 6 lb-ft when I did mine which felt right. Squeeze the washer not crush it out of the way.
Click to expand...
Thanks much for this! I did 7nm which was about a full turn per bolt further than what I had it at. Small socket wrench had me believing I was a lot tighter than I was. Proper torque wrench is a lovely thing.
 
EBS-P

EBS-P

Well-known member
likes2fish said:
Thanks much for this! I did 7nm which was about a full turn per bolt further than what I had it at. Small socket wrench had me believing I was a lot tighter than I was. Proper torque wrench is a lovely thing.
Click to expand...
Through bolted and not plus/riv nuts correct?
 
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coastie44

Active member
For anyone that did this, did you have to remove the foam gloves to get to the most forward position? I have a ceiling kit installed that I will have to remove to get to the plastic bits.
 
likes2fish

likes2fish

Well-known member
coastie44 said:
For anyone that did this, did you have to remove the foam gloves to get to the most forward position? I have a ceiling kit installed that I will have to remove to get to the plastic bits.
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foam gloves? don't recall those on mine but I have a High Roof so perhaps the Low Roof extends all the way forward...
 
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coastie44

Active member
likes2fish said:
foam gloves? don't recall those on mine but I have a High Roof so perhaps the Low Roof extends all the way forward...
Click to expand...
lol, foam “blobs” in the front corners of the ceiling. Stupid voice to text does that shit to me when I’m not paying attention!
 
likes2fish

likes2fish

Well-known member
I had a hunch but honestly too intrigued not to ask for clarification.
If there are plastic caps on the roof above or closer to the hood than the gloveblobs the gloveblobs, you'll have to pull the gloveblobs.
 
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coastie44

Active member
Welp, on the low roof van, the gloveblobs indeed cover the front most bolt hole so need to come out in order to remove the plugs and attach the rails.
 
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