Thule bike carrier - t-bar adapter question

Thule bike carrier - t-bar adapter question

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TheBALDpuma

Original Poster:

5,854 posts

170 months

Tuesday 21st November 2023
quotequote all
I've just bought some Thule 591s to carry my bike, and the roof bars I have are VW t-bar ones.

The guy was using them on Thule square bars so it has the required attachment for these...



Is all I need to use them on the t bars these...



Cheers!

_Hoppers

1,244 posts

67 months

Tuesday 21st November 2023
quotequote all
I've just bought a pair of used 598s on ebay and I've done a bit of research into these!. The standard T bolts have 20mm x 20mm square plates which fit into the Thule track. I have BMW roof bars and the track groove is larger so I need the Thule T-track Adapter 889-1 T bolts, the plates on these are 30mm x 24mm. It appears that other manufacturers use the same track size to the BMW so it depends on which roof bars you have? I guess you could easily measure the track width? If you need some standard 20mm x 20mm T bolts I have 2 sets, I'm sure we could come to some financial agreement on these?

TheBALDpuma

Original Poster:

5,854 posts

170 months

Tuesday 21st November 2023
quotequote all
_Hoppers said:
I've just bought a pair of used 598s on ebay and I've done a bit of research into these!. The standard T bolts have 20mm x 20mm square plates which fit into the Thule track. I have BMW roof bars and the track groove is larger so I need the Thule T-track Adapter 889-1 T bolts, the plates on these are 30mm x 24mm. It appears that other manufacturers use the same track size to the BMW so it depends on which roof bars you have? I guess you could easily measure the track width? If you need some standard 20mm x 20mm T bolts I have 2 sets, I'm sure we could come to some financial agreement on these?
I will measure mine when I get home - they are VW OEM ones but can't see anything definitive on a quick google.

Gixer968CS

609 posts

90 months

Tuesday 21st November 2023
quotequote all
I don't think the T bolt is your issue, it's the long bolt that with the semi-circular head that adjusts the reach on the underside fastening bracket (and screws in to the securing latch). Look here:

https://www.roofracks.co.uk/591-proride/c/94

I think you maybe have part number 50554 when you need 50553??

I had this problem on my car (with wing shaped bars) and the 50553 bolts worked (just)!

TheBALDpuma

Original Poster:

5,854 posts

170 months

Tuesday 21st November 2023
quotequote all
Gixer968CS said:
I don't think the T bolt is your issue, it's the long bolt that with the semi-circular head that adjusts the reach on the underside fastening bracket (and screws in to the securing latch). Look here:

https://www.roofracks.co.uk/591-proride/c/94

I think you maybe have part number 50554 when you need 50553??

I had this problem on my car (with wing shaped bars) and the 50553 bolts worked (just)!
I have no idea! I don't really know what I'm doing. haha. To me it looks like it has semi circular clamps to fit around the square bars? And i need a t-track bolt instead? Do you just not switch them over? Or are you saying I might be able to bodge these clamps around my aero bars?



_Hoppers

1,244 posts

67 months

Tuesday 21st November 2023
quotequote all
These are some pics from what I have. You can see that the standard t bolt is too small for the slot, which is why I’ve ordered the larger size. You could possibly use the clamps but the t bolts are neater and won’t damage/scratch the roof bars?





TheBALDpuma

Original Poster:

5,854 posts

170 months

Tuesday 21st November 2023
quotequote all
I measured my t track and its 21mm, so the 20mm Thule ones are probably what I would need - assuming I can just fit those to these carriers but I can't really see how I'd do it..? And assuming the 598 adapters are the same fittament as the 591s??

Some Gump

12,736 posts

188 months

Tuesday 21st November 2023
quotequote all
I have thule bars on vw t tracks. Just got some t bolts and unscrewed the flappy end of the u clamp and screwed on the t track bolts.

Was dead easy. Think my racks were called freeride, but sure most / all thule stuff will be similar.

_Hoppers

1,244 posts

67 months

Tuesday 21st November 2023
quotequote all
TheBALDpuma said:
I measured my t track and its 21mm, so the 20mm Thule ones are probably what I would need - assuming I can just fit those to these carriers but I can't really see how I'd do it..? And assuming the 598 adapters are the same fittament as the 591s??
My sister has two of the 591s, one of which is conveniently in my garage! From what I can see the base plates are pretty much the same so I think the 20mm t bolt would work.

TheBALDpuma

Original Poster:

5,854 posts

170 months

Tuesday 21st November 2023
quotequote all
_Hoppers said:
My sister has two of the 591s, one of which is conveniently in my garage! From what I can see the base plates are pretty much the same so I think the 20mm t bolt would work.
So you have 2 full sets of the standard ones then? I will have them off you if you want to sell them then? How much would you want for them?

_Hoppers

1,244 posts

67 months

Tuesday 21st November 2023
quotequote all
TheBALDpuma said:
So you have 2 full sets of the standard ones then? I will have them off you if you want to sell them then? How much would you want for them?
I’ve DMd you

NickXX

1,564 posts

220 months

Tuesday 21st November 2023
quotequote all
I have the exact same set up with 591 and T-track BMW bars.

You need to take the underside C-clamp off as it’s not needed. The bars clamp down entirely from the top. Sounds like you know what size square bolts you need, but be careful with the lengths.

You’ll also need the top clamps. From the picture in the link posted above, you need parts:

- 34357 + 50208 (locking handle and threaded cylinder nut)
- 50551 + 50208 (clamp handle and nut)
- 50335 x2 (61mm long bolts - check these are 20mm square)

For the back you need:
- 50551 + 50308 (only one clamp handle on the back)
- 50336 (35mm long bolt - again check head size).

I needed some bits for another bike rack and found a good seller over the summer who might be able to help with a supply of parts:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/lichfieldtowbarandtrail...


ETA: this diagram:


TheBALDpuma

Original Poster:

5,854 posts

170 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2023
quotequote all
_Hoppers said:
TheBALDpuma said:
So you have 2 full sets of the standard ones then? I will have them off you if you want to sell them then? How much would you want for them?
I’ve DMd you
Thanks but I've realised I have a very old email address linked to PH - any chance you could re send it to chris@baldwin-online.co.uk please!

_Hoppers

1,244 posts

67 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2023
quotequote all
TheBALDpuma said:
_Hoppers said:
TheBALDpuma said:
So you have 2 full sets of the standard ones then? I will have them off you if you want to sell them then? How much would you want for them?
I’ve DMd you
Thanks but I've realised I have a very old email address linked to PH - any chance you could re send it to chris@baldwin-online.co.uk please!
Done!