cheepjeep44

Does anyone know where to buy new hardware for the factory roof rack (i.e. The rubber grommets for the main rails)?

DFlintstone

Make sure they don't have them at the hardware store, or Ebay or something before you go to the dealer. Years ago, pre internet I wasn't messing around, needed that Wagoner to keep my tools dry. $12 PIECE!!!!! censored:

Btw, my 90 the little plastic "grommets" turns out where not leaking, (on this Cherokee). After removing the headliner, the nail holes in the roof where easy to see, (daylight) Turns out most of the water though, was coming through tiny cracks and failed body putty at the end of the drain rail and a little from a crack in the corner of the passenger door frame. Repeatedly running a sprinkler I never saw a drop from the rack mount(s).

cheepjeep44

thanks I will check the hardware store first. all of my leaks were not from the rack either but we just welded up all the bad parts and epoxy primed the roof before painting so I want to put new hardware on.

DFlintstone

Wow! sounds nice. The Wagoner grommets where about 5/8 in, rubber with I think brass threads. They'd push in a nice clean hole, then expand as you tighten the bolt, (screw). Maybe now there's something better, don't know. After tinkering for years I still get surprised at what you can find in all those little drawers at ACE. I would think smaller would be much easier to drill clean...

cheepjeep44

The wagoneer grommets work great but the thread count is different. The original thread count is metric and the wagoneer ones are standard. I got the grommets from bj's off road. I imagine they sell the screws too.

DFlintstone

After tinkering for years I still get surprised at what you can find in all those little drawers at ACE, I imagine they would have the screws.

cheepjeep44

I actually had some standard screws to get the rack mounted but I do want to replace them with stainless screws.

TheGreatGazoo

i bought these in lowes. 1/4 20 Expansion well nuts
http://www.lowes.com/pd_137181-37672...r|1&facetInfo=

AND

1/4 20 stainless steel 1-1/2 " long flat head machine screws. they are not listed on their web site but were in stock in my local lowes in the drawers.
i could not get the metric well nuts so i had to switch over to std thread sizes. the flat head screws fit and work in the track just when you slide the tracks you have to lift up on the track a little when you slide them over the screw heads. remember very important.... do not over tighten the screws snug them down then 1 full turn THAT'S ALL. so far the well nuts from lowes have the thickest rubber i found. i found others on ebay that are thin cheap rubber and are not as strong and dont seal very good.