Yakima Q Tower User manual

1033430H-1/33
IT IS CRITICAL THAT ALL YAKIMA RACKS AND ACCESSORIES BE PROPERLY AND SECURELY ATTACHED TO YOUR VEHICLE. IMPROPER
ATTACHMENT COULD RESULT IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT, AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU OR TO
OTHERS. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SECURING THE RACKS AND ACCESSORIES TO YOUR Vehicle, CHECKING THE ATTACHMENTS
PRIOR TO USE, AND PERIODICALLY INSPECTING THE PRODUCTS FOR ADJUSTMENT, WEAR, AND DAMAGE. THEREFORE, YOU MUST READ AND
UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS AND CAUTIONS SUPPLIED WITH YOUR YAKIMA PRODUCT PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OR USE. IF YOU
DO NOT UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS AND CAUTIONS, OR IF YOU HAVE NO MECHANICAL EXPERIENCE AND ARE NOT THOROUGHLY
FAMILIAR WITH THE INSTALLATION PROCEDURES, YOU SHOULD HAVE THE PRODUCT INSTALLED BY A PROFESSIONAL INSTALLER.
Part# 1033430 Rev.H
Vehicle-specific Q-Clips
and crossbars are sold
separately in pairs.
Q-CLIPS
VINYL PADS
CLIP SHEET BASE PADS
CROSSBARS
Q-TOWER (2X)
END CAP (2X)
LOCK HOUSING (2X)
STICKERS (1x)
CLIP FASTENER (2X)
TAPE MEASURE (1X)
BY THE PAIR

1033430H-2/33
GOLD SLIDER
HASH
MARKS
CAM
COVER
ADJUSTMENT POST STICKER
Q-Clip
BASE PAD
VINYL PADS
LOCK
HOUSING
CLIP FASTENER
LOCK CORE
(OPTIONAL)
END
CAP
BLADED AIRCRAFT RAIN
GUTTER HOOK
Q-Clip families.
Overview Prepare for
installation
Install towers
in front
Install towers
in rear
Perform safety
checks
YOU ARE
HERE
Anatomy of the Q-Tower.
There are several shapes and sizes of Q-Clips, but they all fall into five Q-Clip categories. Every vehicle
needs a specific Q Clip to install Q-Towers. For this reason Q-Clips must be purchased separately. Examples
of the five different categories of Q Clips are depicted below.
OEM
(ATTACHES TO FACTORY
INSTALLED VEHICLE FEATURE)
CLIP
HOLDER

1033430H-3/33
Unscrew the adjustment
posts to remove the covers
from each tower.
Remove the covers. Open towers.
Open each tower
to access the
tower screw.Loosen tower screws
until the crossbar can fit
through the tower (refer
to next step).
Slide towers onto bars.
Find Your 4 M’s (measurements).
Locate the precise measurements
for your vehicle on the Q-clip sheet.
If your vehicle is not listed or the
clip sheet is not in the Q-Clip box
check yakima.com/roof-rack-
installation, contact your dealer or
call 888-925-4621.
Write down your four measurements
in the spaces provided to the right.
Keep these instructions in a safe
place for future reference.
Overview Prepare for
installation
Install towers
in front
Install towers
in rear
Perform safety
checks
YOU ARE
HERE
YOUR Vehicle:

M1
M1
1033430H-4/33
TIP: To center crossbar between towers after setting your measurement use this
technique. While pushing downward and rotating the crossbar, adjust the crossbar as
needed to the left or right. Double check your M1 measurement and adjust if necessary.
Set M1 and center bar.
Be sure to not
move the towers.
Tighten tower/bar assembly.
Snap the
covers shut.
Install end caps and correct pads.
Keep the pads clean and
free of debris. Clean pads
as necessary, and keep
them clean by not setting
them on a dirty surface.
Attach correct pads. Some vehicles require
different pads on front (M1) and rear (M3). Pad
letter is located in the center of each pad.
Pull the measuring tape tight to ensure accurate measurements.
Measurements must be accurate to within 1/8” (3.2 mm).
Label towers with front of vehicle stickers.
Label the towers.
snap
snap
Note: Set measurements on a flat surface away from vehicle.
FRONT OF VEHICLE
Will you be installing your Q-Tower pairs on the FRONT or on the REAR?
For FRONT installation continue below. For REAR installation skip to step 11.
5Nm

1033430H-5/33
M
2
M
2
Position Towers in Front.
• Clean vehicle roof where towers will set.
• Set the assembly on the roof.
Set M2.
TIP: Verify this measurement repeatedly during installation.
• USE THE M2
MEASUREMENT you
identified in step 4.
• Measure the shortest
distance from leading edge
of tower base to nearest
painted roofline corner.
• Once positioned DO NOT
MOVE.
windshield
rooftop
trim
To continue front tower installation skip to step 17.
Overview Prepare for
installation
Install towers
in front
Install towers
in rear
Perform safety
checks
YOU ARE
HERE FRONT OF VEHICLE

M3
M3
1033430H-6/33
TIP: To center crossbar between towers after setting your measurement use this
technique. While pushing downward and rotating the crossbar, adjust the crossbar as
needed to the left or right. Double check your M3 measurement and adjust if necessary.
Set M3 and center bar.
Be sure to not
move the towers.
Tighten tower/bar assembly.
Snap the
covers shut.
Install end caps and correct pads.
Keep the pads clean and
free of debris. Clean pads
as necessary, and keep
them clean by not setting
them on a dirty surface.
Attach correct pads. Some vehicles require
different pads on front (M1) and rear (M3). Pad
letter is located in the center of each pad.
Pull the measuring tape tight to ensure accurate measurements.
Measurements must be accurate to within 1/8” (3.2 mm).
Label towers with rear of vehicle stickers.
Label the towers.
snap
snap
Note: Set measurements on a flat surface away from vehicle.
Will you be installing your Q-Tower pairs on the FRONT or on the REAR?
For REAR installation continue below. For FRONT installation skip to step 5.REAR OF VEHICLE
5Nm

M
2
M
4
+
M2
M4
+
1033430H-7/33
windshield
rooftop
trim
Correct measurements
can be found in the Q
Clip box.
If your vehicle is not
listed or the clip sheet
is not in the Q-Clip box
check yakima.com/
measurements, contact
your dealer or call 888-
925-4621.
Center rack on vehicle.
Center racks side to
side by measuring from
the door frame to tower
base. Measuring points
and distances on both
sides must be equal.
• Use the combination of
M2 and M4 measurements
(from Clip Sheet).
• Measure the shortest
distance from leading edge
of tower base to nearest
painted roofline corner.
• Once positioned DO NOT
MOVE.
Position Towers in rear.
• Clean vehicle roof where towers will set.
• Set the assembly on the roof.
Set measurement.
REAR OF VEHICLE
Overview Prepare for
installation
Install towers
in front
Install towers
in rear
Perform safety
checks
YOU ARE
HERE
FOR EXAMPLE:
M2 = 6”
+ +
M4 = 32”
Tundra Tower Location = 38”

1033430H-8/33
DO NOT MOVE TOWERS! If you
bump the towers you’ll need to go
back and reposition them.
• Open both driver’s side and passenger side doors.
• Carefully thread adjustment post on to tower to
get the cover loosely attached (2 turns max).
• Repeat for other side.
• Carefully push the clip in place up
against the door frame. DO NOT
MOVE THE TOWERS.
• Using the adjustment post, take
slack out of the system until the
cam cover closes easily while
holding the clip to the door frame.
DO NOT FULLY TIGHTEN.
• Repeat for other side.
Loosely attach cam covers.
Assemble Q-Clips and
lock housings.
• Insert the correct clip through
the slits in clip holder.
• Insert lock housing through
holes in clip and clip holder. • Place clip fastener
over lock housing to
secure assembly.
Check your M2 (front) or M2 + M4 (rear)
again. Correct if needed (step 10 for front
installation)(step 16 for rear installation).
Apply vinyl pads to clips.
• Apply black vinyl pads wherever clip
touches vehicle paint. Be sure to
cover clip edges. Trim if necessary.

a
b
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The objective: Your installation will be
complete once you achieve balanced tower tension.
Install System
The technique: Slowly tighten your towers by turning the adjustment posts clockwise one
full turn at a time, alternating from driver’s side tower to passenger’s side tower. Close the
Cam Cover after each adjustment. Only one Cam Cover can be open at a time.
Hold tower base. While
holding the clip in place
with your thumb, tighten
adjustment post one
turn, then...
lower cam cover
with opposite thumb
until cam cover is
under tension, then...
bring both thumbs up
to cam cover while
pulling tower base
towards you...
use both thumbs to
snap the cam cover
shut.
Alternate from
driver’s side to
passenger’s side.
Perform this technique on both the driver side and passenger side in
an alternating fashion until you achieve balanced tower tension.
START
HERE
hash
marks
gold
slider
bladed clips
(see page 2)
1. Cam Cover closes with firm and equal resistance
on both sides of the vehicle.
2. Gold Slider positions are equal on both sides of the
vehicle. Reference hash marks on tower body.
3. For Bladed Clips Only: Gold Slider position must
also be ON OR BETWEEN HASH MARKS.
BALANCED TOWER TENSION REQUIREMENTS

1033430H-10/33
Perform Safety Checks With Vehicle Doors Open.
CHECK EACH CLIP! Pull each clip
away from vehicle. PULL HARD!
CHECK EACH TOWER!
Grip the bar inboard to
towers; push and pull
using only arm strength.
Overview Prepare for
installation
Install towers
in front
Install towers
in rear
Perform saftey
checks
YOU ARE
HERE
REMOVING THE SYSTEM
Unlock towers and open cam covers.
Lift rack up and off (do not disassemble). INSTALLING RACKS AGAIN
•Opencamcovers.
•Cleanroofandplacetowersat
M2 (for front installation) or M4 +
M2 position (for rear installation);
measure carefully.
•Makesureclipsareseated
properly, then close cam covers
with firm resistance.
PERFORM SAFETY CHECKS ON ALL
TOWERS AND CLIPS AFTER EVERY
INSTALLATION! (Step 22)
If any of the clips or Towers move, check gold slider
positions, and fine tune by tightening adjustment
posts gradually (step 21b). If there is still movement
after fine tuning, verify the M1 (front installation) or
M3 (rear installation).
Once installed, easy on easy off without tools.
Repeat twice. Clip should
not move on second pull.