How to recreate unavailable replacement parts?

[Pajamarama]

Hi -- I hope this is the right subforum for this thread.

I have a 1997 Honda Accord EX wagon with a roof rack. The rack is missing a couple of parts: the curved covers at the front of each side. Here's a pic of one side to show exactly what I am talking about.

As you can see, it looks ugly. I'm also worried about what happens when rainwater gets in those holes.

I have looked everywhere for replacement parts for this roof rack but they are nowhere to be found: eBay, local junkyards, car-parts.com, etc. I can't even find a full rack anywhere in my area (which would probably be too expensive anyway).

So...unless anyone can advise me on where to find these cover parts, I'm stuck thinking about a) how to create my own or b) how to have someone create them for me.

Are there shops that specialize in making replacement parts like this that no longer exist? If not, any thoughts on what material I can/should use? How to get the curves right? How to attach it? I would like to keep it removable (instead of gluing it on) so I can still remove the roof rack in the future if I desire.

I would appreciate any and all thoughts on what you think I can do to replace these missing parts. Thanks!

 

[Phishin]

There's all kinds of thing you can do....

Depends on how "professional" you want it to look when you're done. Are you more after function or appearance or a balence of both?

 

[JHZR2]

The key thing is what are the interface points? They need to exert enough force to latch in but be flexible enough to pop in and out. That might be tough.

Once you get that, you should be set. Building up off a base, and forming/painting to shape should be easy comparatively.

 

[Russell]

Honda on-line club?

 

[stephen9666]

Is this a genuine Honda accessory or an aftermarket roof rack? If it's a genuine Honda one, have you checked at the dealer or a Honda dealer parts website?

 

[Boomer]

JB Weld for the holes. Keep the water out.

 

[Pajamarama]

Some responses:

I don't expect this to be a masterpiece. I would like it to be sort of gray (to match), to fit the hole and to look like a rough match from 10-20 yards. Anything else is gravy.

Yes, it is an OEM Honda accessory.

My Honda dealer's parts desk says they don't make them anymore. Haven't found anything at online Honda parts sites either.

 

[DuckRyder]

Honda (21/29 in diagram)

 

[Pajamarama]

Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Honda (21/29 in diagram)


Holy cow! Thank you!

 

[NHGUY]

Or you could move to Cuba,they are very good at whittling replacement parts out of wood! (for their 1959 Detroit vehicles they cant buy parts for).

 

[stephen9666]

Looks like the parts counter staff at your local dealer didn't know what they were talking about...

I'm not a dealer hater, but I've had really mixed results dealing with dealer parts counters. Some are good, some are very bad.

 

[Pajamarama]

Originally Posted By: stephen9666
Looks like the parts counter staff at your local dealer didn't know what they were talking about...



Yes and this wouldn't be the first time. They seem to be much less interested in helping me find parts for my 97 Accord than my 2009 Fit. And now thankfully I don't have to move to Cuba.

 

[Vikas]

Look at Honda Odyssey EX of that generation. Most of them would be missing one of that end cap. Mine has been missing now for years. I bet it will costs you a pretty penny to buy from Honda dealer.

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: stephen9666
Looks like the parts counter staff at your local dealer didn't know what they were talking about...
I'm not a dealer hater, but I've had really mixed results dealing with dealer parts counters. Some are good, some are very bad.


Isn't that the truth.
The cable that opens the hood to my '97 4.0 Cherokee broke about a week ago. I went to the dealer to order it and since I also need to replace the valve springs that I had already purchased, I wanted to order some valve keeper locks also. The parts lady told me that it would be $298. FOR EACH VALVE! (That would be almost $3600 for all 12 of them!) I told her that a decimal must be off by a couple of points. I even made sure that we were both talking about the same part. We were. She told me that there was no mistake. I had her order the cable ($70 dollars from dealer, $20 if I had ordered it from Dorman, but I was hoping for quality) and when I picked it up the next day I showed her a printout from Sealed Power for $.64 a valve and under $3 a valve from an online Chrysler parts supplier for the valve locks. Instead of calling the warehouse to see what the real price should be, she gave me the sermon that Chrysler can charge whatever they want for parts that nobody else makes. I thanked her, paid for my Mexican-made cable and left.
My valve keepers from RockAuto arrived today. I believe it was $15 for all of them.

 

[yesthatsteve]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Look at Honda Odyssey EX of that generation. Most of them would be missing one of that end cap. Mine has been missing now for years. I bet it will costs you a pretty penny to buy from Honda dealer.


Our Odyssey has been missing both for quite some time, and it drives my wife nuts. She's been after me to locate replacements, and the dealers nearest home and my office have been less than helpful. Salvage yards will only sell me the trim piece if I take the whole roof rack as well.

The link that was edited out above helped me locate them for not too much money.

 

[The_Jeff]

This sounds like when an amazon pricing robot goes out of control and keeps robo-jacking a price because a competitor is doing the same.

I went through the same thing when I dropped the little half-ball from a chevy 2.2 OHC rocker arm and was trying to buy one arm and ball combo. Advance had it next day for $3.50. Chevy dealer wanted $22 and I would have paid it to get rolling again but they, too, couldn't be bothered to actually stock it there.

 

[Vikas]

Originally Posted By: yesthatsteve
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Look at Honda Odyssey EX of that generation. Most of them would be missing one of that end cap. Mine has been missing now for years. I bet it will costs you a pretty penny to buy from Honda dealer.


Our Odyssey has been missing both for quite some time, and it drives my wife nuts. She's been after me to locate replacements, and the dealers nearest home and my office have been less than helpful. Salvage yards will only sell me the trim piece if I take the whole roof rack as well.

The link that was edited out above helped me locate them for not too much money.


Are we talking about this part? Still little bit rich for my blood!

COVER, LEFT REAR .
This fits your 1999 Honda OdysseyEX.
Stock Code 75288-SX0-J01
Fitment Notes
List Price
$ 36.58
Your Price
$ 27.44
You save $ 9.14 (25%)
Installation Instructions N/A
Additional Notes
Alternate Stock Code
Categories Interior
Assemblies MOLDING (Required: 001 )
Manufacturer Honda

http://parts.sonshonda.com/products/Honda/1999/OdysseyEX/COVER--LEFT-REAR/1625343/75288-SX0-J01.html

 

[mechtech2]

Don't forget boneyards!

BTW, those racks make a lot of drag at speed, and concurrent noise.
I'd take it off when not in use, unless I was doing around town driving only..

 

[yesthatsteve]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Originally Posted By: yesthatsteve
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Look at Honda Odyssey EX of that generation. Most of them would be missing one of that end cap. Mine has been missing now for years. I bet it will costs you a pretty penny to buy from Honda dealer.


Our Odyssey has been missing both for quite some time, and it drives my wife nuts. She's been after me to locate replacements, and the dealers nearest home and my office have been less than helpful. Salvage yards will only sell me the trim piece if I take the whole roof rack as well.

The link that was edited out above helped me locate them for not too much money.


Are we talking about this part? Still little bit rich for my blood!

COVER, LEFT REAR .
This fits your 1999 Honda OdysseyEX.
Stock Code 75288-SX0-J01
Fitment Notes
List Price
$ 36.58
Your Price
$ 27.44
You save $ 9.14 (25%)
Installation Instructions N/A
Additional Notes
Alternate Stock Code
Categories Interior
Assemblies MOLDING (Required: 001 )
Manufacturer Honda

http://parts.sonshonda.com/products/Honda/1999/OdysseyEX/COVER--LEFT-REAR/1625343/75288-SX0-J01.html


Nope. The front covers at $30.25 each.

http://parts.sonshonda.com/products/COVER--LEFT-FRONT/1625334/75286-SX0-J01.html

Still cheaper than what the salvage yard wanted for the whole rack assembly.