It is genuinely retarded. Every other car company can make simple and easy cross bars to go with their flush roof rails and Nissan is out there with their head up their butts and not a single f-ing clue.

 

The more I read this stuff, the more I think the 3rd gen. is not for me. I have crossbars for my 2012 that fit right on and can be removed easily. Towing capacity of the 3rd gen is way down. So the "Utility" of this SUV or CUV is greatly diminished. I may as well just buy a Maxima.

 

Sure post the video. Also, would you recommend taking the rails off or just dremel with it attached? I'm about to go buy a cheap dremel off amazon too. Dealerships wanted $125 - $275. No thanks.

 

M guess is that the "star hex key" is a Torx bit. They're becoming very common on cars.

 

It is a torx...confirmed by the dealer when they did mine...and for the dremel portion I watched the tech (they used a pen sized torch that had an exacto end to cut the plastic) and helped him a few times during it, after taking the removable panels off then taking out the single torx screw from each side that has the plastic to be removed they just cut enough plastic to allow the crossrail to drop in.

Yes this is the Dumbest design ever, but have my ski racks on and have been out skiing with my daughters so it's good once done.

Good luck.

 

Ok I did it myself. I wouldn't recommend doing this on your own. The absolute worst design ever, terrible fit, tolerance, etc. I removed the plastic squares with a dremel. Not too complicated. The screws that are holding down that square are so tight that the screw heads started stripping. I used a grinder to get 2 flat sides to use a vise grip to unscrew them. The bars are slightly too long, so you have to use an allen key (metric) and loosen the screw to adjust them shorter. Even then, you have to shove it/force it into the space. The alignment with the screw hole and the base of the bars are off. You have to bang them and hope the screw will drop in. Start screwing them in. They put thread lock in the middle of the screws from the factory so it gets real tight, then starts screwing in normally (so you don't know if the screws are cross threading until it's too late). The alignment is off so screws can/will cross thread. I was lucky and only 1 of the screws cross threaded. Now I have to go to the hardware store and buy a tap (6 MM - 1.00) and repair the thread and hope the screw goes in correctly.

**** Nissan, **** you for this bull****. **** you for even green lighting bull**** like this. Should be a simple drop in and screw in type installation. Not this nonsense.

 

Haha wow w0nderbrad. You sound like you're much more familiar with tools than me. You also ran into some difficulty.

Are your bars fitting flush into the rack? Mine are a little offset and it may be impeding the aerodynamics very mildly but idk.

I agree though it was really retarded the way they produced it. Why the **** did it require cutting the squares and why is the rack not already manufactured to fit flush into the rack without adjustment?

One of my screws was screwed up (No pun intended) as well and I had the dealership mess with it with a hammer and he eventually got it loose because it was starting to get striped before I could take it off the damn frame

 

My rails fit flush...fyi

I came home and loosened them to check my pano roof clearance when vented "just incase", which was no issue...all went back on easy as well

 

Mine fit flush in the sense that there's not a huge gap between the existing rails and the bend of the screw plate for the bars. But it's not exact.

 

I've just installed the cross bars to my roof rack by myself. Dealer charged $110 and after reading the manual figured I would to do it myself.

First, the cross bars roof rack system was horribly designed. It requires you use a cutting tool, a drill, and some instruments I don't even have yet.

For someone that didn't grow up with tools, I went and bought a dremel and did the deed. The instruction manual states you should take the roof rack off the roof but I decided to cut the roof rack because I didn't want to replace the clips.

I ran into a couple of complications as well such as losing some of the 6x25 metric Torx screws and some I've yet to resolve such as the cross bars being slightly too long (5mm) and not fitting flush to the roof rack. I tried adjusting the length but it requires a normal hex key to remove the initial panel but requires another star hex key that does not fit my standard tool set.

I've recorded a video of the process as well if anyone is interested.

I would sure be interested in that video you recorded if you still have it. I just bought a 2018 Murano and ordered some crossbars off of Amazon. I was blown away that I could not just screw my crossbars on! I have been kind of hesitant to pry the roof rails off as I am afraid of damaging them. I was hoping to find some video of the process to give me some coaching!

 

I have been through 3 different makes that say fot my 2018 murano... nope.. I'm not paying Nissan almost $400 for their part. Thule makes a set that fits but just the mounts and not the cross bars.. very frustrating

 

I've just installed the cross bars to my roof rack by myself. Dealer charged $110 and after reading the manual figured I would to do it myself.

First, the cross bars roof rack system was horribly designed. It requires you use a cutting tool, a drill, and some instruments I don't even have yet.

For someone that didn't grow up with tools, I went and bought a dremel and did the deed. The instruction manual states you should take the roof rack off the roof but I decided to cut the roof rack because I didn't want to replace the clips.

I ran into a couple of complications as well such as losing some of the 6x25 metric Torx screws and some I've yet to resolve such as the cross bars being slightly too long (5mm) and not fitting flush to the roof rack. I tried adjusting the length but it requires a normal hex key to remove the initial panel but requires another star hex key that does not fit my standard tool set.

I've recorded a video of the process as well if anyone is interested.

Would like to see the video please

 

Good grief! I just ordered the rails for my '15 Murano. Like you guys, I didn't want to pay the usual dealer rip-off to install it for me. Having installed roof rails before (my old '05 Saturn VUE), I didn't think it would be difficult. Seeing this post though, I'm having second thoughts....

I'd also love to see the video, if you have it!

 

I just got the thule roof cross bars on my '16 murano, and they fit perfectly. Installed myself. 1 hour install time. Not sure if thule just makes their adapters to fit better than the nissan branded ones or not. Might be worth looking into if anyone is still interested in adding them. I got them on Carid.com. highly recommend.

 

I don't know about fitting better, but it sure sounds like an easy install. The problem I had on my OEM bars was that I had to cut the plastic away that was part of the silver roof rails that made room for the crossbar to drop in. I wonder if yours was already cut out because someone already did that in the past OR if Thule just designed around it making the cut out of the plastic unnecessary? All in all, mine was a pain largely because I felt very unsure of myself pulling the rails off and using a dremel to cut the plastic.

 

Can they be easily/quickly removed, including replacing the roof rail covers?

I'd like to have them for temporary use.

 

I cant see why it would take longer than 20 min to completely remove the bars. And the original covers just snap back on

 

The only tools I used were the included hex key looking tool, and a flathead screwdriver to remove the covers.

 

What size hex key to remove the stock bars? It looks like a proprietary shaped head to the bolt.

 

Not sure, this is what came with the Thule roof cross bars when matched with my year murano..52376 is the only description for the tool

 

Oh, and I also had an M5 hex key to tighten the foot pack over the provided brackets

 

Did the installation myself, having read some stuff here placed me on the correct path. Pretty much as mentioned there is a plastic piece that must be removed from the existing roof rack mount that comes on the vehicle. Typically you need to remove the entire roof rack mount to remove a plastic portion from the 4 sections where the cross bars will be attached to the vehicle ...but that's too much work instead I got a hot knife, and cut the sections out without having to remove the entire thing.
Step one remove coverings on roof rack to expose the section where you want to mount the cross bars.

Step 2 grab your hot knife...can be had on Amazon... here in Canada I got it from Princess Auto for $25.00

The knife is kinda like a soldering iron, plug it into a power source and it gets really hot and will melt through the plastic. (Maybe wear a mask if worried about fumes). Use a utility knife to clean up the edges when done. Takes about 4 minutes per area (there are 4 of them, 2 for mounting front and 2 for mounting rear cross bars).

Step 3, mount the cross bars.. The cross bars should come with the requisite mounting screws. I got mine off Amazon (aftermarket), there are several options out there. Basically you are just screwing them in place. The cross bars I got came in 2 different lengths, the longer one goes to the front. Follow assembly instructions for your crossbars. Mine were from a place called DNA Motor Inc via Amazon. I went with black ones... but silver is an option I suppose... my sunroof still functions normally.

For those interested, I installed the Thule Pulse (16 cubic feet box) actually the one in Canada is sold at our local retailer Canadian Tire as "Thule Convoy Rooftop Cargo Box", it comes in a glossy finish.. this one is large, could not really go any larger this fits perfectly without affecting the antenna or the lift gate.

 

Did the installation myself, having read some stuff here placed me on the correct path. Pretty much as mentioned there is a plastic piece that must be removed from the existing roof rack mount that comes on the vehicle. Typically you need to remove the entire roof rack mount to remove a plastic portion from the 4 sections where the cross bars will be attached to the vehicle ...but that's too much work instead I got a hot knife, and cut the sections out without having to remove the entire thing.
Step one remove coverings on roof rack to expose the section where you want to mount the cross bars.
View attachment 51377

Step 2 grab your hot knife...can be had on Amazon... here in Canada I got it from Princess Auto for $25.00

The knife is kinda like a soldering iron, plug it into a power source and it gets really hot and will melt through the plastic. (Maybe wear a mask if worried about fumes). Use a utility knife to clean up the edges when done. Takes about 4 minutes per area (there are 4 of them, 2 for mounting front and 2 for mounting rear cross bars). View attachment 51378

View attachment 51379
View attachment 51380

Step 3, mount the cross bars.. The cross bars should come with the requisite mounting screws. I got mine off Amazon (aftermarket), there are several options out there. Basically you are just screwing them in place. The cross bars I got came in 2 different lengths, the longer one goes to the front. Follow assembly instructions for your crossbars. Mine were from a place called DNA Motor Inc via Amazon. I went with black ones... but silver is an option I suppose... my sunroof still functions normally.
View attachment 51381

For those interested, I installed the Thule Pulse (16 cubic feet box) actually the one in Canada is sold at our local retailer Canadian Tire as "Thule Convoy Rooftop Cargo Box", it comes in a glossy finish.. this one is large, could not really go any larger this fits perfectly without affecting the antenna or the lift gate.

View attachment 51382

Love the chrome around your tail lights. I finally put mine on last year after purchasing them in early 2018. Love the look they give.

Have a good day.

Thanks. Planning to remove them though. But been saying that for 2 years now, so who knows.

 

Love the chrome around your tail lights. I finally put mine on last year after purchasing them in early 2018. Love the look they give.

Have a good day.

 

Does Thule or other aftermarket crossbars sit higher comparing to OEM?

 

Thule, most likely yes, other aftermarket... depends. I did not want the cross bars to be higher than OEM, so I chose ones that were identical to the OEM in terms of dimensions but half the price. Hence the one in the photo bolts on to existing hardware on the vehicle in the same way as OEM.

If you have the sun roof version, as far as I know, Nissan does not officailly sell the cross bars for sun roof versions. The most likely reason is that there is a lot of wind noise that comes with the bars attached. Not a very strong selling point I suppose.

 

I just installed OEM cross rails on my 2015 FWD Platinum. Took video of the cut-out and how I approached it. Took me about 1.5 hours. Dealer charges $200 USD to install. I posted a video on YouTube:

 

Thanks for posting your video. The cut out doesn't look that difficult with a Dremel.

 

I've just installed the cross bars to my roof rack by myself. Dealer charged $110 and after reading the manual figured I would to do it myself.

First, the cross bars roof rack system was horribly designed. It requires you use a cutting tool, a drill, and some instruments I don't even have yet.

For someone that didn't grow up with tools, I went and bought a dremel and did the deed. The instruction manual states you should take the roof rack off the roof but I decided to cut the roof rack because I didn't want to replace the clips.

I ran into a couple of complications as well such as losing some of the 6x25 metric Torx screws and some I've yet to resolve such as the cross bars being slightly too long (5mm) and not fitting flush to the roof rack. I tried adjusting the length but it requires a normal hex key to remove the initial panel but requires another star hex key that does not fit my standard tool set.

I've recorded a video of the process as well if anyone is interested.

I bought aftermarket crossbars and made modifications on the feet ( a little grinding), not the rails.

 

I ordered the crossbars a few weeks ago and was finally able to add them to my Murano last week. The video posted above was a lot of help and gave me the confidence to do this myself after reading some of the earlier horror stories

It took a couple hours but I wanted to be really careful cutting out the access points, then cleaned everything up a bit before bolting the crossbars on. I really don't see any reason why the rails wouldn't just be made with that part open, but whatever. The bolts that were in there from the factory were really tight and I can see those being easy to strip without an impact driver. Otherwise, everything fit together pretty smoothly.