[MikeHoncho]

Hi Everyone,

I've been trying to get an answer from Thule with no luck since I cant find my proof of purchase at this time. I bought the rack at a local bike shop years ago and the receipt is MIA.

Anyway my question is regarding the knob that you tighten to secure the rack into the hitch. I'm just not sure if mine is normal behavior or not and cant remember if its always done this.

When mine gets tight theres a point it wont tighten anymore - but if you attempt to make it tighter the mechanism starts to slip/click. Is this normal and a built in feature to not overtighten or is the mechanism on my rack worn out or something else? I just want to make sure its safe and properly affixed.

Would appreciate any feedback or if anyone knows a fix!

 

[Rackguy]

It is not normal, it should just tighten and stop. Some of the other knobs they have ratchet out like a gas cap on your car but not this particular one. Your know is likely broke internally and will probably get worse. Where are you located?

 

[mike256]

Mine tightens then stops, no clicking. But obviously free spins once locked so maybe replacing the lock barrel might resolve it?

 

[MikeHoncho]

The shop I bought it at years ago was somehow able to dig up a receipt. As soon as I provided that to Thule they were able to answer and send me out a new wishbone. Hopefully it wont be the lock barrel thats the issue because they said I have to reuse my existing.

 

[MTBRbikegirl]

The shop I bought it at years ago was somehow able to dig up a receipt. As soon as I provided that to Thule they were able to answer and send me out a new wishbone. Hopefully it wont be the lock barrel thats the issue because they said I have to reuse my existing.

Hi Kbecker,

Would you still have your old Thule T2 Pro backbone? I am trying to locate a part for my Thule T2 Pro that has gone missing and Thule does not sell a spare part replacement for it. I am missing the metal wedge at the end of the shank has falling off and the nut that goes with it to mount it to the knob bolt. I had taken my bike rack off of my vehicle after a road trip and placed it in the garage for safe keeping. But last summer when I tried to install the bike rack, I realize that the wedge on the shank is completely missing. I couldn't find it anywhere. I've contacted Thule but they don't sell the part and no longer makes the backbone for that rack. They're saying that I need to buy an entirely new bike rack even though my bike rack is in nearly perfect condition except for the missing wedge. Without it, I can't lock or secure the bike rack safely onto the hitch.

I am trying desperately to locate a replacement for the missing wedge so I can use my bike rack.

Here is a picture of the missing piece and the nut and plastic wing thing that I was able to find pictures of online.
I still have the knob bolt but I am missing the silver wedge piece and the nut that holds it and the little plastic wing thing that you can see in the photo.

 

[MikeHoncho]

Hi Kbecker,

Would you still have your old Thule T2 Pro backbone? I am trying to locate a part for my Thule T2 Pro that has gone missing and Thule does not sell a spare part replacement for it. I am missing the metal wedge at the end of the shank has falling off and the nut that goes with it to mount it to the knob bolt. I had taken my bike rack off of my vehicle after a road trip and placed it in the garage for safe keeping. But last summer when I tried to install the bike rack, I realize that the wedge on the shank is completely missing. I couldn't find it anywhere. I've contacted Thule but they don't sell the part and no longer makes the backbone for that rack. They're saying that I need to buy an entirely new bike rack even though my bike rack is in nearly perfect condition except for the missing wedge. Without it, I can't lock or secure the bike rack safely onto the hitch.

I am trying desperately to locate a replacement for the missing wedge so I can use my bike rack.

Here is a picture of the missing piece and the nut and plastic wing thing that I was able to find pictures of online.
I still have the knob bolt but I am missing the silver wedge piece and the nut that holds it and the little plastic wing thing that you can see in the photo.

View attachment 2026491

View attachment 2026492

Ahhh I'm sorry I dont have the backbone anymore or I would have gladly sent you that piece. Super frustrating Thule isnt willing to help you out on this

 

[MTBRbikegirl]

I totally understand and I appreciate you getting back to me. Yeah, it's a real shame especially on such an expensive bike rack that such a small part could make it totally non-functional. Apparently, there are others with the same failure as I discovered in my research to find this part. I read about five (5) other cases with the same problem so my case is not a one off. I hope everyone with Thule hitch bike rack that uses the anti-rattle expanding wedge knob lock like on the Thule T2 Pro and T2 Pro XTR regularly inspect this part to make sure that it will not randomly fall off like it did with my bike rack since the wedge part is not replaceable at all.

I do have great news though! In my post to you, an amazing reader has reached out to me privately to send me the part. I am over the moon that I will be able to get my Thule bike rack working again. I am so grateful in his kindness in reaching out to me. Yipppeeeee!!!

 

[MikeHoncho]

Thank god! Kudos to them!!

I'm actually sort of shocked they werent willing to help. Are you not the original purchaser? In my dealings with them they havent hesitated to send replacements even if that wasnt what I was asking for. But regardless, its a shame they dont at a minimum sell the part you needed

 

[N garvey]

Hi Kbecker,

Would you still have your old Thule T2 Pro backbone? I am trying to locate a part for my Thule T2 Pro that has gone missing and Thule does not sell a spare part replacement for it. I am missing the metal wedge at the end of the shank has falling off and the nut that goes with it to mount it to the knob bolt. I had taken my bike rack off of my vehicle after a road trip and placed it in the garage for safe keeping. But last summer when I tried to install the bike rack, I realize that the wedge on the shank is completely missing. I couldn't find it anywhere. I've contacted Thule but they don't sell the part and no longer makes the backbone for that rack. They're saying that I need to buy an entirely new bike rack even though my bike rack is in nearly perfect condition except for the missing wedge. Without it, I can't lock or secure the bike rack safely onto the hitch.

I am trying desperately to locate a replacement for the missing wedge so I can use my bike rack.

Here is a picture of the missing piece and the nut and plastic wing thing that I was able to find pictures of online.
I still have the knob bolt but I am missing the silver wedge piece and the nut that holds it and the little plastic wing thing that you can see in the photo.

View attachment 2026491

View attachment 2026492

Any luck finding this wedge? l am having the same exact issue!! I can't believe no one is selling this part yet

 

[Daya]

Hello, I have the same issue where I lost the silver wedge on my Helium platform XT rack. That part is not listed on the spare part list on any models and its very easy to lose it if you unscrew it all the way. Surprised a small part can make $900 rack useless and they don't even sell replacement for it.
did anyone find alternate for that part?