Removal of cross bars on equinox

You won't know whether you'll have a problem with wind noise until you try it. I've driven 4 rack-equipped vehicles over the years. The only rack that made noise was the dealer-installed rack on an old vehicle, and that was ONLY during cold, misty weather (drizzle or very thick fog). What this shows is that wind noise can be a very finicky thing, as far as what causes it. That also means that if it occurs, you can probably come up with a trick to change the air flow which will stop it from happening (I've heard of tricks as simple as a spiral wrap of rope around the cross bar stopping wind noise, but I bet every situation is different). None of the other racks, including the boat rack for Subaru`s, which used 2x4s for the cross bars, made any noise that I could hear. In fact, the auxiliary rack for my current car (only used when needing extra width for two boats) also uses 2x4 cross bars, and it makes no noise.

I wouldn't use factory cross bars. There might be some good ones out there, but I haven't seen them. The general rule is to go with aftermarket bars, as well as the necessary bar-mounting hardware.

Some people love fold-down J-hooks, but since it only takes 30 seconds to remove them and about one minute to install them, why not just take them off, leaving bare cross bars? I take them off when not needed. I even take them off when parked by the river during a trip. After all, if I can remove both of them in 30 seconds using just my hands, so can a thief. Anyway, a folded-down J-hook is still a very bulky item to have up there compared to a bare cross bar.

Same goes for saddles. It takes only a moment to install or remove them, so if you want to keep air resistance to a minimum or not worry about the potential for wind noise, just drive with a bare rack when not carrying boats.

but that's all you need to do is remove the end piece on both sides and slide the cross rails in and replace the ends

T-15 is the size...Its a good idea to check them regularly if you use the rack regularly...>
Cross rails retaining screws

try a wreckers/junk yard for the bits if not from a dealer parts

One side of each crossbar has a key that engages the removal screw. If you have lost this, then perhaps the local Subaru dealer can help. Otherwise, you will have to drill the key lock out.

That's usually easier to do if you remove one side rail.
There are usually six access holes in the rail that the screws go into. (pretty sure the screws are torx type) Once the rail is off, you can easily attach the cross bars and re-attach the rail to the roof. Ends of cross bars are held on with a screw that goes in from the bottom side. When replacing roof screws it is good to put a dab of silicone sealer on each screw hole to prevent rust or leaks.

I have the same vehicle and was able to remove mine with the following steps: 1) remove light behind each rear of luggage rack rail using phillips screwdriver (one screw each side). 2) remove molding underneath each light using T20 torx driver (2 screws each side). 3) Loosen cross rails nobs. 4) Side cross rails off of roof.

dear friend-the roof rack on a sante fe can not be moved.should you attempt that you will have constant rattles on your roof.i can surgest.that you modify your bike rack.

i had the same problem with girlfriends delaer told me when wind test and design them there roof racks are on so i was changing the drag causing the noise. when i put the rack back on the noise stopped

1. Pull the covers off from the top front of both rails.They are only loosely clipped.
2. Undo the 2 screws found at the front and the 3rd screw at the back end of this base piece.
3. Remove the base.( the nuts are locked in on the roof)
4. Do this boths sides and then simply release the adjusting clips and slide off.
5. Replace bases and screws in original positions and push on covers.

Best with 2 people.One each side when sliding off the cross rails.

Solved! And it looks neater.

Howard