How do you remove factory roof rack from a 2005 Toyota sequoia?

Answer 1

Removing the roof rack from a 2005 Sequoia is a little challenging. For starters, it is a good idea to put a soft blanket on the roof under the cross bars to protect against mishaps. You will also need to work off of a short step ladder. Careful! The plastic covers on the front and rear hard points need to come off first. They snap in on one end and then slide out. I recommend using a hairdryer to slightly warm the plastic to avoid breaking off the snaps that hold the covers. Next you need to remove the torx screws which are now exposed. Careful! I recommend using a good quality torx bit kit and a ratchet or t- handle. Once this is done, remove the torx fittings from the cross bars. Now, remove the plastic cover from the center hard point on one side only and then remove the torx fittings. Gently remove the side rail you have just freed by rocking and lifting to pull the positioning pins out of the holes in the roof. The cross bars will slide out and drop on the roof. Remember the blanket? Remove the cross bars and then repeat the steps to remove the opposite side rail. At this point you can install the replacement rack as per the maker's instructions.