Can Thule SpeedLink Mounting Kit Be Installed on Older Thule Flat Top or Pull Top Ski Carrier

Question:

I have an old thule ski rack and recently purchased a new car and with it a Thule Aero Bar. My old thule ski carrier fit the square cross bars that I previously had. They have a bolt mount that goes through the carrier and bolts in from the top of the bottom clamshell. I dont think the 20mm replacement will be long enough to mount my existing carrier to the rack. The question is as follows: is the bolt installed integral to the unit, or can it be swapped out for a slightly longer bolt? As you can see in the pictures, the carrier has a fairly thick bushing through which the bolting mount below, attaches to the carrier. Two options are as follows: I can use the same mounting bushing in the current carrier and possibly swap out the 20mm bolt in the speedlink adapter. If it is possible to swap that bolt out. I can drill two holes onboard and in line with the current mounting bushing and make a small bushing/ washer confirmation with the 13 or 20mm speedlink. Option 1 above would be preferable, to making a modification to the rack.

asked by: Elie A

Expert Reply:

Thank you for the information and the photos! According to what you sent in it looks like you have one of the discontinued Thule Flat Top (TH91724 or TH91725) or Pull Top (TH91726) carriers.

These came with universal mounting hardware as well as an adapter for the square bars which it sounds like that's what you were using. You can try upgrading the mounting to the Replacement 20 mm SpeedLink # 7521241002 but you may need to modify the carrier since this mounting kit wasn't designed for this carrier.

If you need replacement mounting hardware then the kit # 7533998 for the Flat Top or kit # TH7520970001 for the Pull Top gives you exactly what you need so you can mount this to Thule aero-style crossbars on your vehicle. The instructions call for the Thule Xadapt7 Adapter # THXADAPT7 but only if the crossbar is 1-3/16" or taller. Since the Thule crossbars are only 1" tall you won't need the extra long adapter.

I wish there was a way to upgrade the mounting hardware for those older carriers but Thule has had a few generations of ski carriers and the mounting hardware is rarely compatible between them.