Greetings. Any one have any experience removing the factory rack from a 245? Mine wagon has the factory rack and I would like to replace it with a Yakima or Thule system that mounts to the rain gutters.

Thanks.

 

the yakimas will clear the factory rack, I'm pretty sure. but, you remove the screws visible from the top and the rack comes off, leaving holes in your roof. the nuts probably fall inside and side around the headliner til they find somewhere annoying to rattle. I believe Volvo Parts, Accessories and Performance Specialists Since 1963 has some plugs for those holes.

If yours has the luggage skids on the roof between the rails, those are attached with double sided tape AFAIK, and you should be able to slice the tape off with a piece of monofilament between two wood dowels used as handles (think 'garrote'), then use some solvent or whatever to remove the rest of the tape

 

I like Thule racks. They made the original racks for the cars just with a Volvo label (they are a Swedish company). They also make feet that are taller to clear other stuff on the roof, so that's just another option.

 

And, I like Yakima racks. the tubular crossbars are strong as hell, and they have a huge range of stuff that fits on them. the blade style towers work very well on the volvo 200/700/900 rain gutters, and they have extension blocks if you want the rails higher up. Also, Yakima has very good customer service, and will quickly send replacement parts.

btw, on a wagon with a sunroof, I'd suggest putting the entire rack farther back so its completely behind the sunroof. also get a wind deflector for the rack, it makes a huge difference in the amount of noise they make at freeway speed. Don't get crossbars that are *too* long or your passengers will be complaining about bonking their heads as they get in/out of the car (oddly, I never have that problem, but my wife and daughter both do).

 

The rack is held on with Well-Nuts, rubber cylinders with a threaded insert. As the screw is loosened, they have a nasty habit of falling into the black hole between the headliner and roof. The ones that don't fall through can easily be removed. IPD sells an adequate plug filling kit. Here's what Well-Nuts look like...........

 

Thanks for the replies. The information was exactly what I needed.

I found the IPD kit to plug the holes from the OEM rack. It is called a Roof Rack Hole Plug Kit and currently costs $16.