On Mon, 30 Jun 2003, S.Harrison wrote:

> Does the luggage rack *have* to be removed to install the new seal on it?

No.  I installed mine without removing the rack.  The only reason you
might want to remove it is if you want to clean out the accumulated crud
underneath.

Your thumbs will get a workout installing the seal with the rack in place.
I highly recommend smearing some dishwashing liquid on the lip of the rack
to lubricate the seal as you push it on...it helps a *lot*.

After I put the new seal on I had a problem with the luggage rack
vibrating and buzzing at speeds above 35 mph.  It sounded like God's own
kazoo up there.  After consulting the archives, I tried pulling the seal
down slightly at the front...this helped some, but I still got buzzing
driving into headwinds at 60 mph.  Then I tried another suggestion from
the archives -- I loosened the front and side screws, climbed up on the
rack and sat in it, and tightened them back down.  This moved the whole
front of the rack down a couple millimeters.  It fits much tighter in the
area above the windshield now and the buzzing is gone.

David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Diesel Westfalia
'94 Honda Civic Si