Hi guys, so I bought a Yakima roof rack yesterday. The guy I bought it from said it was for a 96-2000 civic. I bought it for my 97 hatch, so I can carry my kayak. I have looked up the measurements on the Yakima site and cannot get this thing to sit flat or flush with the roof.. I'm going by their measurements and have tried moving the towers in as far as 5 inches on each side... I have been screwing with this thing for 3 hours! Does anyone else with an "EK" hatch have any advice? Please help! Thanks in advance guys!

 

You confirmed the Yakima part numbers are correct for a 96-00 Civic? Also, did the original owner have it on a sedan or coupe/hatch?

 

The racks themselves are universal. It sounds like you have either the wrong Q-Clips or footpads. Confirm that you have the correct ones and if you don't order new ones. The pads come with the Q-clips.

 

If you followed the instructions it should sit flat immediately. My guess is you have the Sedan version which would angle it up. You need the hatch Q-Clips and the roof extension.


This is how it should look:

 

Also, I have an extra set of Q-clips. I can get you the P/N when I get home and you can see if they'd work for you.

 

That would be awesome Adam! I think it's a 69-A clip that I need.

 

Just to reiterate if you are going to actually mount a bike on this and not use it as just a fashion accessory then you should get the stretch kit which is about $150. Otherwise the crossbars will really be too close together to support any weight and it is against Yakima's recommendation to mount anything other than a snowboard or skis that way.

My Coupe for reference:

 

*Stretch kit. I knew "roof extension" was wrong but I was having a brain fart.

I'll check which clips I have when I get home, ZMC.

 

Damn so I need the stretch kit too.. I'm planning on using it for my kayak

 

My rear q towers don't look like the ones in the pictures. Do they just have different clips or are they different all together?

 

Don't look like which pictures? The ones from Yakima's website or from the pictures we posted? The stretch kit may be throwing you off.

 

In the pictures you guys posted. Well good news! I found a stretch kit and clips 69&70 locally so I'm going to pick them up tonight after work! They are BNIB. CX-Adam could you give me measurements on where to locate the stretch kit?

 

Yeah, sorry. I forgot to look for the clips. Glad you found some local, though. I'll make a note to look for the installation instructions when I get home.

 

I'd say I did pretty well for $20 and an hour an a half drive!
Only thing it's missing is the stretch kit covers and screws

 

I think I got it on correctly. Can't wait to try putting my kayak on it later this week!

 

Thanks for the help guys!