From the category archives:

Mazda Racks

Q: I have a 2006 Mazda 3 Hatchback with factory mounting points.  Yakima offers the Q Tower System and the Control Tower system as options for a base rack.  I’d prefer to use the Control Towers, but in order to use the factory mounting points, I’d need to remove the molding that fits in the channel running from front to back.  I’d rather not do this if possible.  Seems that molding is there for a reason.  Is there any solution?

A: We’ve run into this before and there is a solution.  All you need to do is drill a hole right through that molding big enough for the Yakima Landing Pad 11 mounting bolt to fit through.  To find out where to drill, just pull back the molding enough to peek underneath.  The mounting points are located over the front and rear doors and are easy to find.  Once you’ve located them, mark the drilling point on the molding with a marker.  To prevent drilling into the mounting point, we place the lip of an old Yakima Q-clip under the molding.  If you don’t have an old Q-clip lying around, you can use any thin, metal object.  The handle of a spoon would probably suffice.  Drill slowly into the molding until you are through.  It won’t take long.  Once the mounting points are exposed, you can proceed with installing the Landing Pad 11 and then the Control Towers.  When you are done, you’ll have a nice clean looking system and your molding pieces will be no worse for the wear.

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2006 Mazda 3 Rooftop Bike Rack System

by Rack James on October 1, 2009

Customer install photo of 2006 Mazda 3 roof bike rack system using factory mounting points with Yakima Landing Pad 11s and Yakima Control Tower System with Rocky Mounts Lariat SLX Bike Rack

Customer install photo of 2006 Mazda 3 roof bike rack system using factory mounting points with Yakima Landing Pad 11 and Yakima Control Tower System with Rocky Mounts Lariat SLX Bike Rack

Here is a nice shot of a Yakima Control Tower System using Yakima Landing Pad 11 mounted directly to the Mazda 3 factory mounting points for a clean, custom look.  If you take a close look, you’ll also notice the system is using a Yakima Wind Jammer to quiet the wind noise.  Mounted to the 48″ Yakima Roundbars, we have a Rocky Mounts Lariat SLX bike rack which is transporting a very sweet Salsa El Mariachi 29er.

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Thule 460 Podium Review by ‘Frank’

by rackdawg on September 19, 2009

Thule 460 Podium Foot Pack / 460 Podium car rack review by 'Frank'.

Thule 460 Podium Foot Pack / 460 Podium car rack review by 'Frank'. He is using the 460 Podium as a 2008 Mazda 3 roof rack.

This Thule Racks 460 Podium Foot Pack / Roof Rack Review is by ‘Frank’. He is using the Thule 460 Podium system as a 2008 Mazda 3 roof rack for carrying a roof box to hold camping equipment and snowboards.

Overall Rating: 4 Stars (out of 5)

“This is an awesome, sturdy rack. It screws in the roof (mazda 3), and feels very strong. The only thing preventing me from giving 5 stars is the road noise, but that must be a normal thing with roof racks (except factory racks that are permanently mounted on the car). After the 1st installation, I can take this on and off in about 5 minutes, really nice. I highly recommend this rack.”

all Thule 460 Podium Foot Pack / Roof Rack Reviews

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