Ford C-MAX (2003 - 2010) - 2004 Roof Bar Bolts

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Mon 14 Apr 2008 22:41
2004 Roof Bar Bolts - Chris M
Has anyone tried fitting genuine Ford roof bars to a C Max?

The bolts that fix the brackets to the threaded holes in the roof are too short. They're 60mm for the front and 65mm for the back, but they are about 10mm too short. Ford dealer told me there is only one kit for the C Max and hadn't come across the problem before.

Looks like I'll have to obtain some longer bolts. Does anyone know if they are likely to be anything other than mild steel? There are only four of them, one per bracket and they are only M6 - it doesn't seem to be much to be holding 75kg to the roof of a car.

Edited by Chris M on 14/04/2008 at 22:43

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 15 Apr 2008 19:26
2004 Roof Bar Bolts - Arfur
Never had any problem with mine. Although I have never known on which side the longer bolts go. Both sizes fit front and back for me.
Is it possible you have been supplied with bars for another ford?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 16 Apr 2008 09:30
2004 Roof Bar Bolts - Chris M
I don't think so. The instruction booklet shows a C Max and the part number on the booklet ties up with the part number stamped on the brackets.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 16 Apr 2008 13:00
2004 Roof Bar Bolts - Number_Cruncher
>>it doesn't seem to be much to be holding 75kg to the roof of a car.

At yield, each M6 bolt will be carrying between 9 and 14 kN (assuming either a grade 5.8 or 8.8). That's roughly equivalent to between 900 and 1400 kg each.

Or, phrased another way, even relatively cheap/poor steel can carry a large load - one inch square section of S270 steel could support over 17 tonnes of load before yielding. If you begin to consider an exotic steel, 70 tonnes is possible. [Please forgive my horrible mixong of units]





Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 16 Apr 2008 13:07
2004 Roof Bar Bolts - jc2
There's also the friction between the bracket and the body;what does Ford quote as "safe working load"? Most racks I have seen are well overloaded.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 17 Apr 2008 10:07
2004 Roof Bar Bolts - Chris M
Thanks for the post NC.

It's answered my question regarding suitable replacement bolts - even if I don't fully undersand the answer!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 8 Sep 2008 14:36
2004 Roof Bar Bolts - rafa
are the four ford lockable caps suppose to sit an inch from the roof? i would of expected them to sit flush

snipquote

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 08/09/2008 at 14:39

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide

Cold-snap snow-how: Advice on coping with the freezing weather, including videos, facts and winter driving advice.

Honest John's Guide To Winter Tyres