hmoves

This is my Sportcross with my custom roof rails installed:

I'll try post a photo once I've taken it. I don't mind people "taking inspiration" and copying what I've done but I think it may be a bit difficult to make a guide without the photographic process. I'll try help anyone attempting it as much as I can though :)

Thank you both for your input. I wasn't very happy with the way the Thule (or any other universal fit roof bar kit) looked when installed. I opted to buy a used set of roof rails and modify to suit. After going to a few local scrappies with the dimensions/design of what could work, I bought a set from a 2002 VW Passat. I then proceeded to shorten them, re-mould the lower part of the plastic covers and paint them. They are now installed and look almost factory. I leave them on permanently but can remove them and restore the roof to original without too much trouble. Total cost with used rails, paint, sandpaper, etc was about £60.

Hi, I had the "knock" for a while, checked and re-checked the front suspension; including dismantling everything and testing/inspecting all bushes, brakes, drop links and ball joints. I think I've found my problem: The shock strut lower bush bolt bushing was not centred in the bush. Over time, the upper rubber part of the bush had become soft and cracked, permitting the bushing to move and touch (knock on) the upper edges of the bush when there were sudden suspension movements (the weight of the vehicle on the shock strut loads the lower strut bush so that the bushing (bolt) takes the weight, forcing the bushing upwards, via the lower suspension arm, as shock strut/ bush is forced down. Without removing and inspecting the shock absorber's lower bush, it would was impossible to detect as there was no visible play, noise or damage. Hope this helps someone. I would add a diagram/photo but I can't find how.

Good day, I've been looking for roof rails for my sportcross but am struggling to find some. I've read that someone's converted a rav 4's rails to fit and there are generic racks but haven't found any available locally (Ayrshire). Any ideas?

May I ask if any of you have actually gone beyond what the media portray as truth? Up until recently, there was never a "Palestinian" nation. If you research you will find that what they consider the "palistinian people" are actually Arabs (from the surrounding nations) who where barred from returning to their natural country after Israel was formed. The so called occupied stated were earned when, six years after the state of islreal was officially formed and on a sabbath (meaning no work, only the most essential of services running), some of the surrounding Arab countries joined to decimate Israel. Against all odds they were defeted and pushed back. The area that they were pushed back from is a buffer zone now... The "occupied area" . Strange how those territories are considered occupied and "illegal", even though they were acquired fair and square. If that is occupied territory, what about the Falkland Islands to Britain? Northern Ireland? There are so many examples of land taken illegally but not considered illegal or occupied. It is a fact that the media is very biased towards "palastinians" when the threat really comes from them. Consider this: All the Arab countries( and Muslims in general) surrounding islreal desire not the land that the Israelis live on, but the total inhillation of -ALL the Jewish people. That is a well documented fact and you don't have to go very far to hear what the leaders of those countries say they want to do with Israel. -The land that is now Israel was a fruitless, desolate land no one wanted until it was considered the land of Israel. The most astounding thing about all this is that most people will agree that the media only reveals what they want people to believe, yet most people believe it anyway, no questions asked!

Adam: yes, I also inspected and cleaned, then lubricated the usual parts on the brake calipers. They weren't at all stuck so, once I moved the pistons in and out a few times on each caliper, I reinstalled them and the car does glide well. I also took the time to adjust the parking brakes in the rear disks first before tweaking the handbrake cable. As for replacing the shock: not very difficult, but bear in mind you will need to remove carpets and trim to get acces to the rear ones. You'll also need spring compressor/clamps.

I finally got to have a good look at my front suspension. I removed the upper and lower suspension arms, anti-roll bar, complete shock stuts and all the associated hardware from bot left and right front suspension. I found nothing faulty so lubricated all the bushings with wd40 and applied anti-seize compound to all the bolts (minus the brake caliper bolts, obviously). I then placed the shock strut assemblies upside down and sprayed a little wd40 on the chrome part of the strut, as well as on the upper side of the bump stop (which was quite dry and stuck). Lastly, I applied grease to the anti-roll bar bushings and re-assembled the compete suspension (both sides). Since then, the annoying noise has disappeared. Now all I need to do is get the wheel alignment done.

I have the IS300 Sportcross. As far as I'm aware, the saloon has stock 17 inch by 7 wide alloys which would hold 215/45 R17 sized tyres from new. The staggered setup is original equipment on the sportcross (estate) version which has 17 inch by 7 wide (same as saloon) alloys front but 17 inch by 7.5 wide rear alloys, holding 215/45 r17 front tyres (again, same as saloon) but 225/45 r17 tyres rear. If you desire to use a staggered setup, the sportcross setup would work without any problems (even though the sportcross alloys are slightly wider rear, your alloys won't be a problem with 225 tyres), as the engine, gearbox and differential are the same.

Finnish company, my mistake! Thank you for your feedback. If I do decide to get the mentioned tyres (for which I am pending), I may post a brief review here for future reference.

Good day, I'm the owner of an IS300 Sportcross with staggered wheels, 215 and 225/45 r17. I'm looking for a complete set of tyres for all-year round use in Southern Scotland and came across the Nokian zLine tyres. They have very good reviews but aren't well known here (Swedish company, they are one of the best winter tyre manufacturers and have been around for a very long time). Anyone have any experience with these tyres?

Hello Gruntfuggly. Yes, those parts are Crome on most, if not all, IS200/300s as standard. You should be able to remove and paint them a colour of your choice, without too much trouble.

"Just left with a knock on certain road surfaces, especially diagonal ruts, where one wheel then the other is affected. " Hi TonyT. Thx for the update. This is the sort of knock I get. It tends to happen when I turn (mostly) right, over small bumps or ripples in the road (for example round a roundabout), at slow speeds, obviously. My local mechanic had a good look around, replaced lower balljoint and sway bar bushes. Had the car for two days and couldn't find anything else faulty. I should be getting new tyres soon but I doubt that will solve the problem (may lessen it though). There has to be a definitive answer to this defect/fault.

Hi, Has anyone found a cause for this issue yet? I've also been through the suspension and no joy. Oddly enough, I've found my rear suspension also "knock" sometimes now, in symphony with the front.

Would love to go but working :(