Estate Wagon Roof Rack

Discussion in 'General Station Wagon Discussions' started by cadillacbart, Nov 26, 2008.

  1. cadillacbart

    cadillacbart Member

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    I need to remove my factory roof rack on my 72 Buick Estate so the vinyl roof can be replaced. What is this screwed into? Are there connectors or nuts on the inside? Or is it simply screwed into the sheetmetal on the roof? I would prefer not to have to remove the headliner of possible.

    Thanks in advance!


    John
     
  2. Harry Clamshell

    Harry Clamshell Well-Known Member Charter Member

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    You can take off the complete roof rack from the outside....
    Please keep us updated with photos of the process :camera: I'm very interested in a vinyl top on my '72 Estate Wagon. Where did you purchased your top?
     
  3. cadillacbart

    cadillacbart Member

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    Thanks, So there's no fasteners "under the roof" that..

    will fall into the headliner? Great! I have not purchased the vinyl roof yet, but when I do I will post the source and give progress photos.

    Thanks for your help.
     
  4. Stormin' Norman

    Stormin' Norman Well-Known Member

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    They're called rivnuts or PEM-nuts. They come up from underneath and your top-end screw-bolts tighten up the sealing rubber grommets and washers. You might put a dab of plumbers putty (doesn't harden) into the holes, while you have it off. Keeps dust and water from getting in and staining the headliner or delaminating any sound-proofing insulation. They shouldn't fall out though.
     
  5. cadillacbart

    cadillacbart Member

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    Haven't had luck finding the top yet. The universal one's I've seen on line all have seams. Mine has no seams, except connecting the small pieces on the "c" pillars to the top. Mine is from the factory, it's on my window sticker, I suspect they didn't put a seamed top on since the roof has the contours just above the front seats.
     
  6. 70fullsize

    70fullsize New Member

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    Do anyone know where to buy the correct rivnuts / PEM-nuts?
    Assume that its the same used on my 1970 Estate Wagon.
     
  7. Krash Kadillak

    Krash Kadillak Well-Known Member

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  8. Dyna

    Dyna Well-Known Member

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    Hmm I seen it in well assorted hardware stores. Note getting non metric once in Europe is probably hard. I would go down to your local big hardware store and ask them to start looking in there fastener database... (you should be able to get metric once) -- one way can also be to search for the tool to rivet the nuts with :)

    Cheers Dyna
     
  9. Dyna

    Dyna Well-Known Member

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    Getting one without the seam is probably close to impossible. Hubby checked for that one about five or six years ago with no luck. They simply don't make the fabric that wide anymore.

    Cheers Dyna

    PS: If you do get hold of seamless please let us know...
     
  10. 70fullsize

    70fullsize New Member

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    I found the rivnuts :2_thumbs_up_-_anima
    Check this website http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/ and search for 528846 (GM part no).

    Only "drawback" is that they're only sold in bags of 25 pc :)
     
  11. Harry Clamshell

    Harry Clamshell Well-Known Member Charter Member

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  12. Stormin' Norman

    Stormin' Norman Well-Known Member

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  13. Stormin' Norman

    Stormin' Norman Well-Known Member

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  14. Taranau

    Taranau Well-Known Member

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    vinyltops

    Had understood the original purpose of vinyltops was to make coupes look like convertibles.Since,as far as I know,there were no convertible wagons from the factories,the idea of a wagon with a vinyltop irks me.But that's me...Good luck with your project.If a wagon with a vinyltop is what you want,don't skimp and go cheap or "not right".It was explained to us,that there are two types of "woodie" you can get for cars---the kind that lasts a year or two,or the kind that lasts 10 or twelve(longer with proper care)I'm thinking there's probably going to be the same levels in quality among vinylroofing materials.
     
  15. CapriceEstate

    CapriceEstate Yacht Captain

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    I personally think the Vynil tops are pretty cool because they are a symbol of the times.
     

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