Hiya guys and ladies.
Just got myself (2 days ago) a 1999 XJ 4 door Limited with the VM 2.5 turbo diesel engine. Always wanted one and it does not dissappoint.
Anyway I have a question.
The small square buttons that release the roof cross rails and allow them to slide will not press in on 3 out of 4 of them. Does anyone have a way that they can be persuaded to release without wrecking them? I thought about removing the bolted on side rails with the cross bars attached so I could work on them easier but the cross rails are locked over 4 of the fixing bolts! That about sums up my day. I am going to fit 2 more cross rails so I have 4 total so I can use the rear 2 for the spare wheel and the front 2 for a rack. Purchased 2 used rails from a crashed XJ for £20 (about $32). Quite good value I thought.
Here's to joining the worldwide Jeep community. Hope to see a few of you out there sometime.

 

I would try a little bit of WD-40 to loosen up the buttons. If that doen't work try a small ball point hammer to gently tap the buttons until they loosen up. Good luck.