I bought my new fit in November, and moved one week later across country. I wanted to put my yakima rack on the fit, but when I went to my local store they said my Q-Towers won't work because they have changed so much, I can't find Q-Clips for the old towers. So I have to get new everything but bike carriers, what length cross bars do you guys use? They recommend 48" bars, have any of you gone with the 58's? Let me know what you think.

Thanks

jtcannonball

 

I went with the 48 and did not like how long they were so I had them cut down. Are you asking because you have the longer bars? If yes, then just cut them down.

 

Hello,

I have Yakima towers and Q clips. However the towers have changed because of a flaw,so if you have the old style towers you need to update them and get the newer style clips. I have had my rack system over 10 years and I visited their website to get clips for another vehicle,and they gave notice of the tower change. They gave a coupon for half off at that time for the new towers. Not sure they do that now, but all the new tower info is linked on their site when you do a Q tower search or want parts for an older vehicle.

The new towers have a better floating foot,and are stronger in construction as the way the connect to the bar. I can say on my older set they came loose a few times. The newer set has not. BTW I have 54" bars on my Fit,as I haul 2 canoes. The 48" are good if only hauling bikes or one boat or surfboard. They are head bangers as my girlfriend cut her forehead getting in the car once,she remembers now. Put sliced tennis balls on lime green on to warn and soften the blow if you want.

PaFitter

 

I bought the longer bars thinking I would need them for my surfboard and kayak, as it turns out, there was enough room for both on shorter bars. I cut mine down to a smaller size, as the longer ones were a head-hitting hazard.

 

I went the remote start keyless route and decided to wait close to spring to get my rack. I may just do the inside the hatch hand made floor mount I have seen people do on here. But that won't work if I get my new kayak. I don't want a wet kayak in my car. So I will save money and go with the 48" I think, with my girlfriends kayak and one I buy, if I get the upright carriers it should fit fine I think.

 

Here's mine with 58" bars. I look the look better, more carrying capacity, and the GF and I are used to longer bars so we luckily don't hit our heads.

The head trauma thing is something to consider, tho.

 

I'm not quite sure what the "flaw" was on the towers but I had my q towers from my 2000 integra GS-R (Purchased the rack in 2000 or 2001) with 48" bars.

All I did was purchase the Q99 clips and replace my current ones with the Q99 clips. The rubber feet and the clips work perfectly with the older towers and I had absolutely no issues carrying the cargo carrier. The bar width is perfect as there is little/no overhang. I'll post some pics shortly - I have lasagna waiting for me.

Update: Lasagna was good. Now for the Pic(s)




~SB

 

A few more pics of the Rack & Cargo Box.

 

The "flaw" was how they locked on the bars, in the old towers. Old towers had over center cam that gripped the bar with a allen wrench from the side. The old tower cam ground away the plastic coating on the bars,and became loose or the cam simply backed itself off when the plastic coating eroded away. Like I mentioned they have no way of knowing who bought the units and posted a general bulletin when entering their site and this was in 2008-9. They offered a 50% off coupon on new towers if you took your rack to the dealers as proof. Old towers were claimed by dealer and destroyed. New style has bolt through double wedge design that pinches bars without chewing or grinding away the plastic coating,with less chance of coming loose. I don't beleive they still offer the 50% off but still mention it if adding accessories or need different clips last time I visited the site.

PaFitter

 

Ahh ok, cool. My bar does show a little bit of "scrunched" together plastic from where it sat on the Integra but at that spot, the rack was on so tight that I had a hard time undoing the allen-bolt and freeing up the tower. Since I usually leave racks on the car for a while (and dont' usually take them on/off) this likely won't be an issue for me of grinding down. All I will need to do is regularly check the tightness of the rack which I have done for years anyway. The clips themselves fit perfectly in the older style Q tower. Exact replacement for the Integra clips.

~SB

 

Hey specboy, The "scrunched"plastic is how it started on my rack too. The knurled surface of the old cam system is what ground away at the plastic and also the bar material depending on how much load or flex of the cars body,rack,load, in use,then became loose. Since I haul usually 2 fairly heavy canoes and with crosswinds,body flex and rack flex my rack towers erroded the bar rather fast. The newer design use conical wedges that have a greater surface area to pinch the bars rather then chew on them at a smaller contact point of old style. Sounds like yours are doing the same. In your picture it is hard to see but it does look like you have the old style. The side cover plates on the towers of the new system are slightly more triangular then flat. Maybe a nice letter,or call to Yakima and they may give you coupon or new set. Worth a shot if you want to change. I had an issue with clips they said worked on another car I owned that kept popping off. Turns out many others had the same issue,so they redesigned and sent me the new clips free. I think they have great customer service.

PaFitter