roof rack mounting flap fix?

Hello, picked up a 1999 996 a few weeks ago, and am going over it figuring out things that need attention. one problem i have are the 4 holes in the roof where a roof rack would go. the flip open panels on them are broken. the hing piece is old brittle plastic after enough years and have given up! I believe i have figured out what pieces i need. The flap its self #12 still seems to be good on all of them i believe i need part #11 for each of the 4 spots. and i assume #9 & #10 are pieces that help secure the rest of that trim strip the flaps are actually in the center of? so i should not need those. thumbnail_Capture.jpg that being said, in all of my searching i didnt not come across anything showing how to remove #7, the roof edge strip that runs the length of the roof on both sides. I'm fairly mechanically inclined so im sure i can figure it out. but id rather not bust a mounting tab or something while trying to remove it if there are some pics or a vid showing things better and i could just go into it already knowing how its secured! plus, i obviously have to order the parts, so id rather just order once and have everything! thanks for any imput.

I have the same issue with mine. The metal trap doors are good with the nubs sticking out on both ends. The white plastic holders under the trap doors are brittle and degrading. You have to install the trap doors from underneath with the new plastic holders. I haven't purchased the plastic holders yet, but I did lift one of the metal strips up that runs over the roof. It appears that it is a snug fit that sticks under the rubber window trims at both ends and it will completely lift out. The other two parts you mentioned that are held down with screws are the metal tabs that the roof rack clamps to.

I appreciate the insight on that. It's not as though its some huge deal, but i have to see them everytime i go to get in the car... its annoying lol. Plus i would rather fix them before i lose one of those flaps while im going down the road and have to buy some and paint them.

I did those on mine when I first got it (one of them wouldn't stay down). Good luck getting those screws out - I wasn't able to on mine. As it turned out I didn't have to though. The whitish plastic pieces just clipped in. I don't remember exactly what I did or how I did it, but it turned out to be very simple and I think the parts were less than $20...

I just got my car and one of the trap doors was partially opened. I tried to close it better and of course now it's fully opened and won't close. The white assembly inside seems to be sitting lower than it should. Do I need to remove that full trim strip? If so, how? Can I just reposition the thing? Nothing looks cracked or broken, just too low to allow the door flap to close.

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No you don�t have to remove the strip. I just popped that white lactic piece out (#11) and popped the new one in... I thought the the screw had to come out but it didn�t have to (and it didn�t...)... good luck

That screw seals the hole so crud doesn't get into it so you can mount the roof rack feet. It's a soft plastic screw and retains nothing. That plastic trim piece ("roof edge strip #7) pops into place - pull up and it pops off.

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Where do you lift from? Does the door flap come off with the white piece?

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I usually remove the trim strip from the rear window weather strip area - you'll find the plastic strip can actually slide slightly, so move it forward which exposes more of the rear to elevate and pop up from the rear to the front. The replaceable plastic retainer clips may break as they're old, but they are fairly robust.

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I was talking about the white rectangle inside. How do you pull that out? And how does the trap door connect?

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If I remember correctly, it's all attached to the trim panel itself.

Sounds like we have conflicting info. One person says we can replace part #11 without removing the full trim, or is that not the case? I'd love a video of this. I searched YouTube but couldn't find anything specific enough. I just ordered the white rectangle.

Is it similar to this one? You Tube

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...l#post12199754

Fixed. I removed trim per shop manual instructions, which is to pry front first, then along outside edge. I tried to work with it half way up but it was easier to fully remove it, plus clean inside there. Getting it to snap on wasn't so easy, but it went. plastic trim removal tools really help. Also, if you read the directions, it says to press/pry along outside edge to release each clip. Everyone, including the dealer, said these clips always break upon removal. Well, not if you pry as directed. The clips don't go in or out in a straight up/down movement, but rather more like a 45* angle from inside to outside. If you examine the clips once moulding is out, you'll see what I mean. Just take it slow.

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Could you kindly post the part numbers and pictures again, unable to see them and was hoping to fix one of the flip panels on the rails

I'm not sure what you are not seeing because your reply included my pics. I'll try and post again what I have in hopes it will help you. Feel free to email me if you need me to send you pics and instruction printout directly. For P/N's, I'll look, but you can just call the dealer. They know what P/N it is. These break often! https://www.dropbox.com/s/vbxq2d3wct...35834.jpg?dl=0

Thank You for posting this along with the PDF @AdamIsAdam. I ordered the parts online thru suncoast, so should be a DIY for the next weekend. Thanks again

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You're welcome. Just paying it forward. Enjoy. It's the little things that bring big enjoyment. Flaps that close. My front door and storm that close smoothly and put a smile on my face every time I use them. Yup. Little things.

I did two on my car when I first got it. I don't remember exactly what I did, but I know I didn't remove the trim strips. From what I remember, I opened the flap and removed it, then just popped the white "clip piece" out ( I think it was already broken - hence the flap not staying closed) and popped the new one in... I remember I tried to unscrew the mounting point first, but had no luck (the small flat head screw was totally seized - tried all kinds of penetrating oils). Good Luck

I too had the droopy flap. I was careful to remove but still had a little challenge figuring out the part numbers - so here you go future users! The black wedge looks like one part number is for the three pieces - I'll find out when they arrive from Sunset. These are from an '01 cup. Regards. .

I'll revive this thread as I successfully repaired my luggage flap today. 1. Remove the roof trim strip by gently prying from the near side starting at the rear using a proper plastic tool. There are five clips that will release to patient firm pressure and probably won't break. 2. Remove the flap from the broken white plastic hinge. If it was like mine it will come right out because the hinge is broken. 3. Pop the hinge out of the trim channel. 4. Install the new hinge and flap by pressing it into place - notice that the hinge fits in the channel one way. Look at the way it clips in, one side has a beveled clip - put the other side in first capturing the rubber edge strip as you push it into place then press the other side into place. I didn't get a photo of this but if you look at the new hinge you will see what I mean. 5. Reinstall the roof trim strip. Align the clips and press down firmly starting from the front of the strip working to the rear. They will snap into place. Do yourself a favor and purchase both hinges if you are doing one side. It is likely they are very brittle so replace both while you have the roof strip off. They don't cost much. My flap was pre-chipped.

When I first had this problem (99 C2 over 10yrs ago), I learned that the screws fixed into the roof CAN rust into their mounting (I am referring to the screws which must be removed to attach the roof rack feet). This experience taught me about removing the long trim strip and about the joys of drilling out screws and tapping new holes. Good fun. So now, with my 03 C4S, I have seen that the screws have changed a bit (some plastic coating on the head), but still are rusting in their holes. Took these out last night and applied oil to reduce corrosion. My advice: don�t wait until you need to use them. Preemptively remove the screws and oil them now. Your future self or the next owner will thank you.

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I had to replace 2 out of the 4 roof mounts - wasn't too bad of a project and was much better than drilling/tapping badly rusted mounts. Took the time to replace all 4 door hinges and a few of the strip mounts as well. I recommend using some anti-seize on the screws; that will protect the threads long term.

To be clear, it is not necessary to remove those often frozen/corroded screws if you are only fixing broken flap hinges.

Thank you all for this thread,...been working hard to figure out how to attach this trim piece....cant wait to try now!!! Did anyone use locite when they fixed this? I can not find loctite 241, what is an alternative? Thank you!

MY one questions here is did you lay the rubber seal on the roof then press metal into it or did you attach the rubber gasket to the metal piece and then clip to roof?

Put the rubber seal around the part and then fit strip to the roof.

$6 on Pelican Parts: https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...559-729-00-OEM Maybe we could do a group buy?

Just did this, easier than I thought. I had the car in the sun prior to removal to heat the strip & tabs up. Using plastic tools, the strip popped up, replaced white piece that holds the flap, lined the clips back up and popped the trim back in using the palm of my hand. Pry up Piece out and you can see the clips that snap together. Plastic pieces fit in the underside channel. One side goes in first, the other side has a clip piece than snaps in. It�s obvious when you see it. My clip had a broken tabs at the top & bottom. All done Part #