Roof rack for Lada Granta liftback or installation of roof rails

Trunk of Lada Granta

One of the advantages of Granta over its predecessors is the internal space, or rather, a sufficient amount of it. Both the interior and the trunk of the VAZ-2190, in this regard, compare favorably with all previous models.

As for the latter, its volume is 480 liters. For comparison, for the VAZ-2199 this value is 400 liters, for the Priora sedan - 430 liters, for the VAZ-2110 - 450 liters.

However, this 480 liters is sometimes not enough to transport some cargo, even if you increase the size of the luggage compartment by folding the rear seats. We are talking about those cases when it is necessary to transport not heavy, but large objects, or when there are too many things, and there is no way to fold the seats. In this case, a luggage rack placed on the roof of the car can help out.

Rails, cross members, car boxes Lada Granta

Product groups

Modern roof rack

Today, a roof rack for a car is not only a convenient and necessary thing, but also serves a decorative function.

Some car owners install it simply to improve the exterior of their car. We are not talking about the classic basket-shaped trunk made of welded steel rods, but about roof rails. These are two longitudinal rails installed on both sides of the car roof along the body.

There is another type of trunk - transverse arches, but it looks less attractive and, in addition, creates additional resistance to oncoming air flow while moving.

The same cannot be said about the roof rails. Without an attached load, they do not in any way violate the aerodynamic properties of the car.

Roof rails for Lada Grants are produced by two domestic enterprises: Petroil Tuning and APS. They are made from a durable aluminum profile (hollow inside), coated either with a protective and decorative polymer, or with an anodic oxide film and fade-resistant ABS plastic. For different modifications of Grants, roof rails of various sizes, configurations and costs are provided.

Granta sedan	Granta sedan "E"	Granta Liftback
Length, mm	1350	1335	1420
Width, mm	760 (adjustable)	700 (fixed)	810 (adjustable)
Mounting type	Screw connection in the longitudinal groove of an aluminum profile	Screw connection using specially designed steel threaded bushings in an aluminum profile	Screw connection in the longitudinal groove of an aluminum profile
Approximate cost, rub.	3350	3150	3600

The kit for installing roof rails on the Lada Granta includes:

left railing;
right railing;
gaskets (6 pcs);
M6x12 screws (6 pcs);
hex key (4 mm);
protectors;
tread edging.

Protectors are designed to protect the car's paintwork from damage that can be caused by the brackets when transporting goods. In addition, they perform the function of sound insulation, eliminating any rattling or squeaking in the area where the roof rails are attached.

Self-installation

Having purchased a set of roof rails, you can entrust their installation to specialists by visiting the nearest service station. There, for 15 minutes of work they will charge you from 150 to 250 rubles.

However, you can save on this by installing the trunk yourself. Moreover, everything you need is included in the kit, including installation instructions. An approximate algorithm for installing roof rails is as follows:

We install the machine on a level area.
Open the rear and front doors on the right or left side of the car.
Remove the rubber seal between the roof and the upper edge of the doors. We start with the back door.
There is no need to make holes for attaching the roof rails. They are provided by the factory and hidden under electrical tape. There is also no need to remove it. It is enough to simply pierce the electrical tape in the right place, after first attaching (trying on) the railing.
We wipe the areas under the roof rails with a clean rag, getting rid of possible dirt and dust.
We place the gaskets from the kit in the seats, aligning them with the mounting holes.
We attach the right rail, placing its brackets on the spacers so that they are between the bracket and the body.
We secure the roof rail using the screws included in the kit, 3 on each side of the car, without clamping them completely.
Pressing the roof rail tightly against the roof, we completely tighten the middle screw, and then the other two, but do not screw it tightly.
Along the perimeter of the front and rear railing brackets we glue the protector edgings so that the brackets are inside them.
We dismantle the railing.
In the resulting “windows”, limited by edgings, we install protectors by gluing them to the roof surface. The arrows on the treads should point forward.
We remove the edgings and smooth the protectors.
We install the railing according to the algorithm described above. We tighten the bolts all the way.
We install the railing on the other side in the same way.

Installing roof rails on the Lada Granta

Ladas are budget cars and are often the only ones in the family, and therefore should have maximum versatility for performing various types of tasks that the car owner may have.

If in terms of transporting luggage in the luggage compartment, the Lada Granta with its five hundred liters of volume can give a significant head start to many of its classmates, but there is nowhere to transport large items, such as a washing machine or furniture, especially on the Sedan version.

In this case, roof rails can be a great help, which we can install on the roof of the car, which we’ll talk about today.

The tools you may need will vary depending on the model of railing you prefer, but usually it is a 10" and 13" wrench and a Phillips screwdriver. A complete list of the necessary tools is usually described in the instructions for the roof rails.

To begin the installation process, remove the drainage rubber groove that runs along the contour of the roof; it is held in place by a metal frame inside the seal, tightly fitting the corresponding side on the roof of the car.

The manufacturer, represented by AvtoVAZ , provided for the installation of roof rails on the entire line of the Lada Kalina platform and equipped the roof with inserts with threaded holes.

Initially they are covered with black electrical tape, which will need to be removed.

Do not rush to throw it away, since there are two holes in each of the fastening places for roof rails of various manufacturers and maximum loads; we will seal the second hole, which we will not use, with it.

To protect the body from the harmful effects of contact of the railing supports with the paint, we apply a soft material to the mounting base; a material called “Madeline” is perfect for these purposes.

Next, we tighten the attachment points of the roof rails to the roof with the bolts that come with the roof rails.

After installing the roof rails, we can seal up the unused holes in the roof and put the rubber drain back in place. Before closing the door tightly, make sure that the rail supports do not stick out too much and will not deform the door frame.

If the door frame fits tightly to the railing supports, lower the window completely, close the door with one click of the lock and, with light tugging movements, pull the upper edge of the door frame towards you, using moderate force.

This method of adjusting the door gap is completely factory-made and is used when assembling a car on a conveyor belt and, if done correctly, cannot harm the car.

If your roof rails are equipped with crossbars, we install them as needed, since if the crossbar is not aerodynamically shaped, excessive noise from air turbulence in the roof rails may occur when accelerating.

To install the crossbar, install the mounting brackets into the special holes in the rails and tighten them with the fasteners included in the kit. Then install and tighten the cross members.

Equipping a car with such tuning will make the car more versatile and allow you to save on the cost of delivering large cargo.

However, remember that regardless of the weight tolerances of the roof rails themselves, the maximum permissible load on the roof of a car with this method of transporting goods is determined by the manufacturer at 90 kilograms.

Exceeding the maximum load may cause damage to the roof or roof rail attachment points.

Installation on a car

By following the installation instructions included in the kit, you can easily do the work yourself. Lada Granta already has the mounting brackets necessary for installation. Therefore, there is no need to make additional holes in the machine body. They are located under the rubber seal. You should carefully remove it, clean the surface, attach the structural elements and secure them.

In this case, it is advised to first tighten the structure, and then tighten each bolt sequentially. It’s also a good idea to take care of the anti-corrosion coating where the roof rails are installed, otherwise there is a risk of experiencing housing corrosion in a few years. At the end of the work, the seal is returned to its place. The rest you will find in the kit purchased in the store. As a rule, it goes there.

Set of crossbars.
Linings.
Racks.
End caps.

When installing this device, there is sufficient space between the parts and the body of the machine, so you don’t have to worry about the coating. By following these simple instructions, you can easily select a roof rack for your four-wheeler, allowing you to unload your luggage space and make your car more attractive. And, of course, now, using the Lada Granta, you can transport large and long materials without outside help.

For motorists, an important aspect is not only the stylish appearance of the car, but also its practicality. Sometimes situations arise in which it is necessary to transport a large number of things or large cargo.

If your luggage does not fit in the cabin, or you need to take as many items as possible, for example, for outdoor recreation or for a trip to the country, then you should pay attention to special roof racks installed on the roof of the popular domestic car Lada Granta. This option is also suitable for transporting long cargo. With the help of a simple device on the roof, you can avoid spending money on delivery services and transport everything yourself.

How to install the structure on a car?

By following the instructions in the manual, you can easily understand how to install a roof rack on a car; this accessory can be mounted by hand. Grant is already equipped with fixing brackets that allow installation. This eliminates the need to drill additional holes. They are located under the seal, which is made of soft rubber. It must be carefully removed and, after cleaning the surface, the corresponding structural parts must be secured. To begin with, it is recommended to attach the entire roof rack to the roof, and then proceed to tighten each of the bolts in sequential order. It would not be superfluous to provide anti-corrosion protection to the area where the roof rails are supposed to be installed, otherwise there is a risk of outbreaks on the body after some time on the LADA Granta. Upon completion of the work package, the seal must be returned to its seat.

Typically the package includes:

transverse arches;
set of pads, posts and end caps.

After installing the structure, there is enough space between its elements and the roof of the LADA Granta, so there is no need to worry about the safety of the coating.

By following the elementary algorithm of actions presented here, you can easily select a suitable roof rack, which will not only allow you to transport large luggage and free up some space in the main luggage compartment, but also give your Lada Granta a special appeal.

Specifications

The roof rack consists primarily of two arched elements, which are installed perpendicularly using special fasteners. You can also use rails (arches fixed in parallel). In the classic version, the railing is a pipe with plugs at the ends, which is secured with holders.

Often, car stores offer a large assortment of similar elements, but there are certain criteria by which it is necessary to select a trunk and fastenings, so as not to regret this choice in the future. When purchasing this accessory for a Lada Granta liftback in a store, you should pay special attention to the load-bearing capacity of the entire finished structure. After all, some options allow you to distribute the load and transport luggage weighing up to 100 kilograms on the roof.

It is also necessary to take into account that the cheapest options are most likely suitable as decorations than for transporting heavy things. If you plan to use roof rails for their intended purpose, then immediately turn your attention to more expensive and high-quality options. Then the roof rack will be of good quality. Also important nuances when choosing are: the type of arches, length and material from which they are made. A secondary criterion is color. It can be matched to the body so that the roof rails are not conspicuous, or it can be used to highlight the car.

One of the most budget-friendly options is to purchase crossbars without roof rails from a car shop. This design on the Lada Granta liftback will not be able to withstand a large load, but will significantly save your money. After transportation, it is better to remove them, as they can create additional noise when moving and often look unaesthetic. However, for infrequent transportation of bulky luggage with low weight, such a roof rack will be the most optimal and will not hurt your pocket.

Rules for transporting goods

When installing a luggage structure, do not forget about safety. You need to know some rules to transport luggage in cars:

the load, in particular boards, should not block the driver’s path;
When transporting pipes, safety precautions must be taken to prevent them from being stumbled upon.
other drivers. You can install a screen or tie a red rag on the edges;
the load must be securely secured so that it does not cause an accident;
the weight of the load on the Grant should not exceed 50 kilograms.

Each driver has the right to independently choose the type of roof rack for the Lada Granta liftback. Such products are easy to install and have an economical price.