While you have it all apart, do you see a way to get to the backlighting bulb for the PRNDL display on the gear shift? Just curious. Mine has been out and have not wanted to take apart even that much to check.

 

Time to put some **** carpet in there

You did a fantastic job taking everything out. I hope it all works out. I've been following this thread because I have the roof rack removal kit for my 450h. Now I'm not so sure I want to go through with it with all the snow and rain I get.

 

If you have the Sewell kit you will be fine. Some teflon tape on the bolt threads is just added security. Have had my roof rack off for years now.

 

Now I have the "bow chicky wow wow" song in my head.

Provided the holes are all sealed up, then it shouldn't be a problem.

I didn't unfortunately. It took me a bit of research to discover how to take out the part of the dash around the gear shift. It turned out it was quite easy to remove and there are only 5 bolts and 2 screws that hold it in place. The glove box and the back panels to the trim around that area have to be removed but after that it is easy as pie.

 

[QUOTE=draco;6895016]The water was from the 4 roof rack bolts as they were not sealed as well as I thought they were. Sunroof drain holes were checked by Lexus who advised that they were okay.


What is the proper way of sealing them by chance?

 

They basically just siliconed into the actual holes and around it a bit to stop the water flow.

 

Is there a benefit of ordering the moonroof molding piece over the Sewell 4 piece kit?

 

The one piece is 1 piece so it's even height all the way through. Whereas with the sewell kit, the covers are slightly higher than the rest of the factory molding. Also some people like it to be one single piece without any gaps. I just order a single centre piece (that sits between the roof rack mounts) and cut it to fit. All one piece and only 3 joins (which really aren't visible).

 

I don't mind the gaps, but on the sewell kit, does it need to be sealed like the one piece molding kit?

 

From what I understand the Sewell molding kit has a replacement bracket that would replace the original bolts from the roof rack. I believe those that have used it have added teflon tape to the bolts to stop the water getting in. I think there are a few pictures further back in the thread that shows these brackets and what the cover would look like.

So irrespective of what you do, those holes have to be sealed one way or the other to stop water getting into the cabin.

 

Thank you very much!

 

I hope when the time comes to put them back on so I can use the roof storage box I have siting around that it's not too hard to do.

 

If you are using the kit with the brackets and short plastic covers (The sewell kit or equivalent) then reinstalling the roof rack should be quite easy. The only likely issues would be if you lost the original bolts or seriously damaged the plastic end caps.

If you choose to install the full-length strips, that would require a bit more work to revert.

 

I put the full length inserts in mine. Sold the rack. And it paid for the inserts and one car payment.

 

Done