[VB] [T2] spring loaded roof rack clamp

[Kevin Guarnotta]

Well, I got my clamps apart - a lot of work. I realize the small hole in the vertical tube allows water to get inside the clamp. Then the threaded portion expands to enormous size. There is no way to take that apart without snapping the bolt.

I was able to get a local shop to cut the threaded bolt off - and then re-weld a new piece on. It ain't pretty, but it should work.

In the process a couple piece got damaged - one probably needs to be remade completely. I am talking to some local machining shops about options - i.e. making a few pieces for me to repair the ones I have vs. getting a bunch of them made - to help drop the cost.

What do you guys think the demand is for clamps like these? I could do them in SS and also make some modifications to make them easier to use.  I'm wondering what price they would need to be - to make them appealing?

The price drops dramatically if I get a bunch made. I.e. for one of the parts - the price goes from ~$60 to $15 if I get 40 of them.

I'm going to meet with two local machine shops to see what they can do. But if I knew the potential demand - that would help me make a decision on volume.

Lastly - for those of you using roof rack clamps - how do you protect the paint from getting dinged up with the clamp? When I have mine metalized initially-I then tried some plasti-dip on the pieces that came in contact with my roof rail, this sort of worked, but wasn't great. As for the legs of the roof rack - they got little pieces of plastic tubing. When I put the rack back on - I'll probably put a couple piece of plastic tubing - to make the rack sit up a little higher, and protect the paint a little more.

-Kevin Guarnotta
Jamaica Plain, MA

'78 Westy
'69 Singlecab
'65 Ez-camper