Roof rack install help.

[ShelbyM3]

Am I just special or should there be a hole in the door trim for a roof rack to mount into?



Got a used Whispbar rack for a good deal. Original owner had it on a 2009 A4. Clamps have pins to mount in door jams, but I don't seem to have wholes for said pins.



Help?


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[Oloung1]

i've never mounted any roof racks before but on my '14, there are 4 holes on the aluminum trim for each door, 1 is right where your camera flash is, a little less than a foot away from the b pillar.

[JustManson]

I've never installed one, but if you don't have the proper holes on your vehicle... couldn't you just drill where you need them,

Looks like from the picture it's a very small hole needed.




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[lochs]

Recently mounted roof racks on my b8.5 S4, and I'm quite confused because there should be 4 holes where your aluminum trim is to lock in the roof racks


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[JD S4]

Yup. I have that same rack (Whispbar). There should be 4 holes in the undersside of the window frame. They are drip holes for water to run off.

[ShelbyM3]

I've checked all 4 doors and no holes. Anywhere! I have a 2011, but I don't see that mattering.


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[blackfunk]

Well that's crazy because I have holes in my 2012.

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[JD S4]

I've checked all 4 doors and no holes. Anywhere! I have a 2011, but I don't see that mattering.


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I also have a 2011.. They holes were very obvious.. You're not missing them.

[JD S4]

Was your car in a major wreck/rollover? Only thing I could think of... They are there in my 2011 S4.. It's the only way to mount this style of rack..

[ShelbyM3]

That's why I'm so confused!
No damage to my knowledge. I'm the 2nd owner, but I have no records of any type of damage. Have records for rear axle seal replacement and some minor stuff from Audi. I took over with the vehicle under warranty. I don't think that's very plausible.
I'm wondering if my trim just doesn't have holes.


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[JD S4]

That's why I'm so confused!
No damage to my knowledge. I'm the 2nd owner, but I have no records of any type of damage. Have records for rear axle seal replacement and some minor stuff from Audi. I took over with the vehicle under warranty. I don't think that's very plausible.
I'm wondering if my trim just doesn't have holes.


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I'll go out and take a pic

[JD S4]

Here you go.












And proof that it works





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[ShelbyM3]

Thanks for the pictures!

Anyone have pictures of the holes without a rack installed? (Long shot)


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[JD S4]

Thanks for the pictures!

Anyone have pictures of the holes without a rack installed? (Long shot)


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That should be an easy request. Every S4 other than yours should have them. They are easy.. You're not missing them. It's just plain and simply a hole in the black trim. It's an 1/8" larger diameter than the "hook and loop" pole from your rack. Someone will have that..

The only "upside" I can see to your situation is that if you decide to drill your own holes in the trim --- you'll have the ability to "choose" where they go rather than being forced into the line up of the rain gutter holes you should have. I'd probably adjust mine a bit if I were able to just where it goes.. It's a small silver lining in a probably shitty night for you.. But there are times when I wish I could adjust the location as the rack "angles" a little with the actual snowboard racks on (cant notice it with just the base rack)...

Good luck man. If no one posts the holes by tomorrow - I could go take one side off and snap some pics.

[ShelbyM3]

I have the chrome trim, but I've also seen racks, specifically Whispbars, on B8 S4s with chrome trim. This is bizarre.
Thanks man, I appreciate your help.


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[DBL R]

I have holes for a roof rack to attach, but my Yakima racks don't utilize the holes...I've used my system all last winter with zero problems. They aren't necessary if you are able to secure the rack/towers tight enough.

[AudiTFSI3o3]

'14 here. definitely has holes over each door

[ShelbyM3]

Audi of America couldn't tell me if the holes are supposed to be there or if there is ever a reason why they wouldn't be there. As soon as they found out I had an aftermarket rack they didn't want to tell me much. I asked if their OEM rack didn't use the same mounting holes and the guy said he'd have to get back to me.
Called my local Audi dealer and I'm gonna cruise by after work. Service/Parts seemed very confused and doubled check on two other vehicles that they should be there.


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[mintytoo]

My 15 has the holes, don't all cars have those? Attachment 31394Attachment 31395
Front and back

[kobrian85]

don't all cars have those? Front and back

Nope, this is the first car I've had that had holes for the roof rack. From the VAG side of things, my JSW didn't, and my A3 prior to that didn't.

OP, mine also have the holes, and my Whispbar is installed using them.

Maybe an outside chance, but did you look to see if Yakima offers the fit kit without holes for our cars? That's the only other thing I can think of that might be out there. It's odd yours does not have holes!

[whiped]

'13 also have holes and my whispbars mounted using them.

As do all the other local B8s I've seen

[ShelbyM3]

Currently at the dealer. They're running my vin to see what they can find out. They're at a loss. There were talks of modifying a Titanium Package order and some other things, but they're never seen this. And, they say it looks and feel OEM.

Haven't reached out to Yakima about fit kit options. I don't know if I'd feel comfortable mounting without holes. Rack could slide forward and backward potentially causing damage.


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[SportVier]

Haven't reached out to Yakima about fit kit options. I don't know if I'd feel comfortable mounting without holes. Rack could slide forward and backward potentially causing damage.

It won't. The standard Yakima set up is totally solid and has more capacity and more accessory options than those effete little Whimpbars.

I have run the standard Q-Towers on my last 3 cars. For the S4, I cut 56" cross bars down to about 52". I regularly haul a board+mtb+box (>100lbs of gear) up top and have been known to travel at speeds in excess of 90mph while driving on private roads in Mexico.

[ShelbyM3]

It won't. The standard Yakima set up is totally solid and has more capacity and more accessory options than those effete little Whimpbars.

I have run the standard Q-Towers on my last 3 cars. For the S4, I cut 56" cross bars down to about 52". I regularly haul a board+mtb+box (>100lbs of gear) up top and have been known to travel at speeds in excess of 90mph while driving on private roads in Mexico.

That's why I bought it, I fully agree! But, I don't feel 100% solid in it not having the holes for horizontal support.

Visited Audi Wilsonville today after work. Parts manager and a service tech were stumped. They said it looks OEM, but they've never seen it in 6 years working there.

Found this in my Carfax:

Gonna have to call more people.




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[JD S4]

"trim repaired"... you fucked!

[ShelbyM3]

It was repaired by Audi.


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[kobrian85]

But, I don't feel 100% solid in it not having the holes for horizontal support.

I totally can understand your apprehension, but the holes are pretty stupid all around, in my opinion. All they really do is take away any opportunity to space the bars to fit your needs. As it stands now, my snowboard bindings are at their max spacing to fit between the snowboard racks, if I had a wider stance I'd have to adjust my bindings on the board just to get it on the roof. And the rack spacing is such so I can't put one biding behind the back rack because there's not enough snowboard to be secured on the front rack... it's a hella stupid design!

Like @SportVier said, without holes your rack wouldn't go anywhere once you have it all set up and the load bars locked in, the tension on the system will keep it in place more than adequately. Like I said, I've never had a roof rack utilize holes, either in the door trim nor are there any holes located in factory roof rails from VW/Audi (or any other manufacturer for all I know).

[JD S4]

I totally can understand your apprehension, but the holes are pretty stupid all around, in my opinion. All they really do is take away any opportunity to space the bars to fit your needs. As it stands now, my snowboard bindings are at their max spacing to fit between the snowboard racks, if I had a wider stance I'd have to adjust my bindings on the board just to get it on the roof. And the rack spacing is such so I can't put one biding behind the back rack because there's not enough snowboard to be secured on the front rack... it's a hella stupid design!

Like @SportVier said, without holes your rack wouldn't go anywhere once you have it all set up and the load bars locked in, the tension on the system will keep it in place more than adequately. Like I said, I've never had a roof rack utilize holes, either in the door trim nor are there any holes located in factory roof rails from VW/Audi (or any other manufacturer for all I know).

Can't speak for not housing/using the holes as mentinoed --- but he's damn right about the spacing.. The spacing you get with the holes is "meh".. My board fits (narrower stance, shorter board) but my homie who is 6'3" and wider stance has to have one binding in and one out.. I'd love the ability to adjust it.. Also - the aestetic aspect of it matters. It's fine when it's just the whispbar rack but when you add snowboard racks, the "angle" is off and looks a little weird.. Also - boards fit overly tight due to this angle, would be nice to be able to adjust as they needed.

Shelby - something to consider. perhaps the original owner had the holes in it, put a rack on it and scratched/bent/broke the factory trim?

kobrian - let's go shred! I've got an Epic local and a racked S4.. Meet you @ the mouth on 70.. Let's go hit it

[kobrian85]

kobrian - let's go shred! I've got an Epic local and a racked S4.. Meet you @ the mouth on 70.. Let's go hit it

I'm also on the Epic Local, definitely be down for making some turns when the snow starts to improve. I was up on Friday last week, it wasn't awesome...

Back on topic but not on topic really... I wonder if it is worth grinding down the nubbin on the fit kit so I can adjust the positioning of the load bars to my liking... Which I also suppose could be a solution for Shelby if he's unable to find another solution for his current problem...

[pkny]

So that is what those holes in the trim are for.

Any update from Audi of Bellevue? They must have used OEM trim to replace the damaged trim. Also wonder why they had to replace both sides.

[ShelbyM3]

Update: Carfax is clean. Audi Bellevue's records indicate the trim records on the Carfax were for "sticking rear window switches," so it was interior trim, and "backup camera issues" so it was interior trunk trim and exterior trunk trim. Nothing with the window trim.
I called Audi of America again today and they're going to contact Audi Wilsonville, and do whatever they do, and get back to me. They keep asking if the rack is aftermarket. Irrelevant.
I may, ultimately, resort to grinding down the pins on the clamps or drilling holes in the trim, but we'll see what AoA says by Friday.




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[kobrian85]

I may, ultimately, resort to grinding down the pins on the clamps or drilling holes in the trim, but we'll see what AoA says by Friday.

Does anyone know if there are holes in the "body of the car", behind the trim pieces? I don't know that I'd just drill holes in the trim though, who know's what's going on behind the trim.

Interested to hear what AoA has to say about any of this. I guess worst case they will authorize a replacement of the trim. I also think it's funny that they are searching for a way to deny the claim based on a non-Audi roof rack...

[sworksone]

That's really strange. Your car should definitely have the holes. You don't need them but it makes life a lot easier when putting the rack on. I also think it places the rack where best located from a structural strength standpoint? I'd have Audi fix it as it seems to be their mess up. Second best option would be to grind the male portion of the rack down as opposed to drilling a hole IMHO.

[ShelbyM3]

Inorite!? They don't even want to hear me out based on the aftermarket rack.
I'm pretty sure the holes extend up into the body, so if I drilled any I'd do measurements off any other planetary B8's existing holes.
I'm hoping they authorize something, but the trim parts are close to $1,000 I believe, and Audi outsources that to body/glass shops because of the rear door's little window's involvement. I don't know if they'll easily grant that.


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[JD S4]

I'd get a different style rack before I started drilling holes..

I'm a pussy though

[Low and Behold]

Does anyone know if there are holes in the "body of the car", behind the trim pieces? I don't know that I'd just drill holes in the trim though, who know's what's going on behind the trim.

^ This is a good point.

Shelb if Audi doesn't figure it out just grind those bitches down. The crossbars are so close together if the holes are used anyway. The stance on your snowboards aren't gonna fit nicely, I know mine sure as hell wouldn't.


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[ShelbyM3]

I would probably grind down before drilling out.


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[skinnytirez]

Buy the Yakima clips without the little posts.
My 2010 A4 = no holes
My 2011 S4 = no holes
My 2010 A6 = has holes

[skinnytirez]

P.S. Yakima discontinued support/parts for Whisbar. So call a company called "rerack" and they will fix you up.
They were really nice to me, great price & fast & cheap shipping.

[whiped]

P.S. Yakima discontinued support/parts for Whisbar. So call a company called "rerack" and they will fix you up.
They were really nice to me, great price & fast & cheap shipping.

Fun fact for you. Rerack is Portland based(As is OP). Their main storefront is off NE Sandy IIRC. They do have a warehouse where they store most of there stuff so call ahead if you are picking something up.

They also do rentals which is convenient if you don't need something very frequently.