Chevy & GMC Vans

I own a 200 Chevy Astro. I want to remove the luggage rack but I'm concerned about leakage after removing the M6 bolts.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks much

If I recall correctly, the rivnuts for the rails are "enclosed", and have a bottom, so leakage shouldn't be an issue. Worst case you could find some slightly shorter M6 screws and fill the holes after the rack has been removed.

Thanks so much for the info...love your van...pretty rare model I would say.

While the nuts do have a bottom, there may be the possibility (unlikely) of leakage between the nut and roof.

Also beware; when I removed mine (because it was half falling off), the screws were rusted tight. When I went to loosen them, the nut pulled out of the sheet metal with little force. So now I have big holes (plugged) in the roof...

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=7843&hilit=+roof+rack

Body shop told me the best thing to do is pull the head liner and use and induction heater on the riv-nuts. Supposedly the bolts will then come out like butter.

ihatemybike wrote:pull the head liner and use and induction heater on the riv-nuts

Great tip.