How to Take a Thule Rack Off of Your Car

The Sweden-based Thule Co. has made vehicle roof racks since 1962, evolving over the past four decades to incorporate a variety of carrying functions. On a basic Thule rack frame, attachments can modify your vehicle to carry items like skis, bikes, canoes, kayaks or cargo. The company makes their carrier mounts for a variety of makes and models of vehicles, but removing one is fairly straightforward no matter what kind of vehicle you're taking it from.

Things You'll Need

  • Flat-head screwdriver
  • Thule Allen key for roof rack bolts
  • Thule AcuTight torque tool (if needed)
  • Open all vehicle doors on both sides of where each rack is mounted.

  • Turn the bolt near the rubberized base of each Thule rack foot, unlocking each base mount. Wedge the plastic plugs from each lock with a flat-head screwdriver.

  • Loosen the roof clamp on each rack mount by turning the foot knob counterclockwise. Some models will require a special tool with a green handle for this task called an AcuTight measuring tool. Check with Thule to see if your particular model needs this tool.

  • Slide a credit card under the rubber feet to peel them from the roof. Years of use can adhere the two firmly, but not permanently.

  • Lift each rack bar, with their mounting feet still attached, from the roof.