Alternatives to VW to fix my rusted bike rack clamps?

So after 4 years my VW bike rack clamps have rusted and no longer grip effectively (lesson learned for the future). I've looked at the advice on the forum and tried using the penetrating spray to loosen it but to no effect.

I'm not that good at things like this, so think I need to get someone who know what they are doing to sort it out for me. I called my local VW dealer and they have booked me in - but only for late July, and are going to charge me £138 just to look at it (and more if it is not covered under the factory extended warranty, which I doubt it is).

I'm guessing your average local garage wouldn't be able to help with this sort of thing - any ideas for finding people who can fix this for me to avoid being gouged by VW?

Probably work out cheaper to get a ‘new’ 2nd hand rack.

Then remove the clamps from the old one and sell it as a luggage rack.

Slightly better description and a picture and I’m pretty sure you’ll get at least one viable solution froM the combined wisdom of the forum!
Definitely not the kind of job I would want to have done at a main dealer

I have a similar problem on my Thule wanderway rack. I can’t imagine this is a rare occurrence given the design. I’ve soaked once with WD40.

Thread 'Problems screwing/unscrewing clamps'
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/problems-screwing-unscrewing-clamps.40271/

FivetonesCali said:

I have a similar problem on my Thule wanderway rack. I can’t imagine this is a rare occurrence given the design. I’ve soaked once with WD40.

Thread 'Problems screwing/unscrewing clamps'
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/problems-screwing-unscrewing-clamps.40271/

Click to expand...

Putting copper grease on the threads works well, keeps it lubricated.

That’ll happen once I’ve freed things up.

Louis II said:

Slightly better description and a picture and I’m pretty sure you’ll get at least one viable solution froM the combined wisdom of the forum!
Definitely not the kind of job I would want to have done at a main deale

Click to expand...

Louis II said:

Slightly better description and a picture and I’m pretty sure you’ll get at least one viable solution froM the combined wisdom of the forum!
Definitely not the kind of job I would want to have done at a main dealer

Click to expand...

Ok. Here are the photos. You can see that the issue is to do with the clamp that tightens over the bike frame to hold it in place.

You can see the rust on the bolt. This link takes you to a video that shows the round bit at the bottom (that you use to tighten or loosen) spinning freely without tightening or loosening: https://share.icloud.com/photos/0eczks0j5v-W1uvko65XLECxg . When locked it is locked shut.

Hope that helps provide more context?

Are you sure it’s not locked?
If it’s definitely not locked and it’s just one clamp that you have the issue I would be inclined to just replace the whole arm - these maybe?


Then you just need a hacksaw to cut through the bolt to remove the old one.

Looks like the nut that is captive in the plastic knurled knob is now loose in the knurled knob. Should be relatively easy to cut off the plastic then remove the remaining threaded "nut" with a pair of quickgrips or locking grips. Wirebrush thread and replace with spare knob looks around 8mm thread. www.roofbox.co.uk carry spares for lots of racks so would have something to suit, if not listed give them a call. Unless I have completely misread the actual problem.

We had a similar issue to yours. Lots of cleaning and lubrication with backward and forward easing of the hand grip and things began to loosen up. We then cleaned it all up and used lithium grease before putting everything back together.