How to Replace the Rack on a BMW

Remove the Old Rack
1. Unfasten the bolts holding the rack bars onto the feet using an adjustable wrench. The feet are the blocks mounted to the roof of the BMW.
2. Loosen the locks on the feet with your fingers. Turn them to the left until the feet release from the roof of the car. Some feet are mounted with suction cups that are placed on the bottom, while others are clipped onto the roof.
3. Wash the car with warm soapy water and let it dry completely before installing the new rack.
Install the New Rack
4. Separate the front feet from the back feet, which mount to the BMW roof front and rear, respectively.
5. Attach the bar mounts to the top of the feet using the screws included with the roof rack kit. Align the holes in the bar mounts with the holes in the top of the feet. Insert screws, along with the appropriate washers and tighten them with a screwdriver.
6. Place the rubber pads onto the bottom of the feet into the pre-drilled holes. Insert a screw into each hole and tighten with a screwdriver. The rubber pads prevent the feet from scratching the roof surface.
7. Insert the front roof rack bar into the bar mounts on the front feet. Insert the rear roof rack bar into the bar mounts on the rear feet.
8. Insert the screws included with the roof rack kit into the holes in the roof rack bars. Do not tighten them at this time.
9. Measure the width of the front of the roof, near the front side of the doors using a measuring tape. Adjust the front feet so they are spaced the same distance as the width of the roof.
10. Open the front and rear doors of the BMW. Measure the width of the roof, near the rear side of the doors and adjust the rear feet if needed. Tighten the screws on the roof rack bars with a screwdriver to lock them in place.
11. Put the front and rear feet on the the roof at the same spots you measured.
12. Close the clamps of the feet so one half is resting on the roof, while the other half slightly wraps around the edge of the roof.
13. Tighten the locks on the feet using your fingers until the feet are locked onto the roof. Tug the clamps to make sure they are securely fastened to the roof.