ST215 Caldina Roof Rails

[XERO]

Are the roof rails able to be taken off and not effect the structual integrity of the car??

If so, are the two end caps on the rail where the bolts are, and they just run through the channel along the edge of the roof line?

[Mr Revhead]

yes they can be removed... not sure i understand ya 2nd question though

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

when/if you do it, take some piccies

[fivebob]

Yes they can be removed, but it's a major PITA and it might affect the structural integregity in a rollover situation, though how much it would degrade the crash protection is debateable.

Yes the bolts are in the end caps, but they don't just run in the channels, there are some fairly major plates that mount to the underside of the roof and I can't recall if these can be left in place, been too long since I removed them from my spare wreck.

[Mr Revhead]

do you think theyd provide much extra rigidity fivebob?
i cant see how.. theres a pretty long thin section there.

the epc shows those plates, it looks as though theres some bolts sticking out of the roof

i dont thinks itl lbe a cheap exercise as its going to require a panel beater to do some welding and painting

[XERO]

when/if you do it, take some piccies

Yeah or i can just draw it...



And a major PITA aye? hmm... maybe i can befriend a panel beater??...

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

dem be some big brakes in the back....

[XERO]

dem be some big brakes in the back....

With the advantage of getting the rails off there will be better aerodynamic efficancy and weight loss, so ill need that extra stopping power

[fivebob]

do you think theyd provide much extra rigidity fivebob?
i cant see how.. theres a pretty long thin section there.

Not so much providing rigidity, more that it would concentrate the forces at those four points, which are at the extremities of the passenger cell. Thereby controlling roof collapse in a rollover.

the epc shows those plates, it looks as though theres some bolts sticking out of the roof

Yes, that's how I remember it, which means that the plates would either need to be removed or preferably modified so the bolts don't protrude past the roof line, and provide so method of retaining a seal.

i dont thinks itl lbe a cheap exercise as its going to require a panel beater to do some welding and painting

And some sort of cover to make the the channels flush with the roof line.

[Mr Revhead]

Not so much providing rigidity, more that it would concentrate the forces at those four points, which are at the extremities of the passenger cell. Thereby controlling roof collapse in a rollover.

ah yep, providing they dont just collapse instantly... but i see what you mean

[XERO]

So this could be a pointless exersise then??? bugger

[fivebob]

Not so much providing rigidity, more that it would concentrate the forces at those four points, which are at the extremities of the passenger cell. Thereby controlling roof collapse in a rollover.

ah yep, providing they dont just collapse instantly... but i see what you mean

The rails might collapse, but they don't have much to do with the whole redirecting of force thing. It's the cast end pieces that do that, and they're pretty solid, and the loacting pints seem to be designed to redirect the force into the pillars

[Mr Revhead]

or is it too hold a bit of weight like a roof box etc? prob a case of one solution providing 2 benifits. but anyway... it doesnt really matter either way. im just splitting hairs really


grrr i was going to post the epc pics but paint hasn tbeen reloaded to my work pc

ill do it at home later.....

[snwtoy]

Don't take them off You need them for carrying snowboards

[XERO]

Don't take them off You need them for carrying snowboards

My board is to precious to be on the roof ... it rides in the back as there is always 3 of us going anyways...

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

Don't take them off You need them for carrying snowboards

or kayaks in my case!

[GTCRSHR]

i say do it it looks a lot better could always weld some strenghtening bars into the roof ?

sorry but on a SIMILAR note

is there any implications with removing the water well things (the ones that run up the side of the roof

fiberglassed up they would be ?