Maximus-3 rhino-rack - Hardtop Removal tips?

[laueddy]

About my Maximus-3 rhino-rack. Does anyone have some good tips on how to remove the hardtop? It seems easy enough to remove the bolts in the rear, but extremely difficult to remove the bolts at the front.

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[Rustydog]

I had the very same problem.

I ended up getting a Tite-Reach wrench. Off of Amazon. you want to get the metal one in 3/8” not the cheap plastic do it yourself model. It fits in there and it makes the job pretty fast.
You may need to sort through your sockets to find one that is the right height. Not too long not too short but I found that a common craftsman one Worked just fine. A ratcheting wrench doesn’t have enough resolution to work.

See here: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/jlu-rhino-rack-backbone-vs-maximus.39289/#post-901763

 

[laueddy]

I had the very same problem.

I ended up getting a Tite-Reach wrench. Off of Amazon. you want to get the metal one in 3/8” not the cheap plastic do it yourself model. It fits in there and it makes the job pretty fast.
You may need to sort through your sockets to find one that is the right height. Not too long not too short but I found that a common craftsman one Worked just fine. A ratcheting wrench doesn’t have enough resolution to work.

See here: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/jlu-rhino-rack-backbone-vs-maximus.39289/#post-901763

Thank you. Does this look like a good one to try?

https://www.amazon.com/Professional...words=Tite-Reach+wrench&qid=1583947477&sr=8-8

 

[Rustydog]

Yes. That’s the one I got.

 

[laueddy]

Yes. That’s the one I got.

Awesome, item ordered!!!

 

[jeepinalaska]

Awesome, item ordered!!!

Did that solve your issue? I found the exact same issue. Im surprised Maximus doesn't state anything about this or send one with.

 

[Rustydog]

Did that solve your issue? I found the exact same issue. Im surprised Maximus doesn't state anything about this or send one with.

Well they didn’t even supply any torque specs at least with my kit so it’s a figure it out as you go kinda thing. You can get it done with a wrench but it’s difficult.

 

[Ranger1]

I have a set of these flexhead ratchet spanners, have used them for years. Absolutely perfect for tight spots, especially taking the ladders off the Maximus rack.

They have a set at Home Depot...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/GEARWRE...TD4snhsEprT5mkR9esBoCtu0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Rustydog]

I have a set of these flexhead ratchet spanners, have used them for years. Absolutely perfect for tight spots, especially taking the ladders off the Maximus rack.

They have a set at Home Depot...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/GEARWRE...TD4snhsEprT5mkR9esBoCtu0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

A wrench like that doesn't have enough resolution in the gear head to fit in the tight spot. You MIGHT be able to get on top of one click each time. I tried to find a wrench with a finer resolution but I couldn't.

 

[Ranger1]

A wrench like that doesn't have enough resolution in the gear head to fit in the tight spot. You MIGHT be able to get on top of one click each time. I tried to find a wrench with a finer resolution but I couldn't.

Does the job nicely for me when I take the top off...

 

[Cougar8000]

when you guys removing hardtop, do you have to get all the plastic out around overhead speaker box?

 

[Rustydog]

when you guys removing hardtop, do you have to get all the plastic out around overhead speaker box?

No. You just need to be able to reach between the top and the top of the speaker box. Its tight space to work in. What I found works for me is an battery powered 3/8 ratchet with a long neck. Harbor freight has one. I have the AC DELCO unit and it works great. I fought with this problem for a while. I know the post above Ranger1 used a ratchet wrench, I couldn't get it work without being a frustrating long process. I think my ratchet wrench didn't have enough teeth on the wrack and I couldn't get enough swing in the wrench to advance the teeth. Putting them back in with a wrench like that was even harder.

 

[Cougar8000]

Thank you, I am actually working on a solution for this problem that will remove the need to reach in there.

 

[Rustydog]

Thank you, I am actually working on a solution for this problem that will remove the need to reach in there.

I hope you share with us

 

[Cougar8000]

absolutely. once I have it figured out

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