1999 Impreza roof rack

[Emily Y via CarKB.com]

I am trying to remove the cross bars on the factory roof rack on my 1999
Subaru impreza wagon. I am attaching a Thule rack. I unscrewed all the
screws I can find, but can't figure out how to get the bars off? I thought
maybe sliding it off would work, but can't slide it off. Can't pull it off
either by just unscrewing the screws. Any ideas???

 

[Gil Cleeton]

On my 96 Legacy you lift them off. They are quite tight because they are
sprung in.
My problem is I can't get the screws out to fit the bars in because the
screw sockets turn with the screws. Any ideas please?
Gil

 

[E Youcha via CarKB.com]

So you just pulled the cross bars straight up off the rails? And just yank
it upwards as hard as possible?

I have no idea how you would get the screws out, maybe there is a special
tool from a hardware store?

 

[l.lichtman]

On my '99 Outback, when I installed a Yakima bike rack, I just left
the crossbars on. They were not in the way. I WAS able to loosen some
screws and slide the bars fore and aft. (for what it's worth.)

 

[Emily Y via CarKB.com]

I stopped by the dealer today and they said the cross bars aren't meant to
come off. I will try to just install the thule rack and hope the cross
bars don't get in the way.

They make ski and bike racks for subura factory racks, but I already have
the Thule ski/bike/bars and just needed the special towers, so didn't want
to spend the money on new bike/ski rack.

 

[l.lichtman]

After I bought my used '99 Outback, I stopped by the dealer and asked
whether I had an interference engine. The guy at the service counter
said, "Oh, they haven't made those in years." Turns out mine IS as
interference engine, and it was past due for a timing belt change. If
I had believed him, I could be in big trouble. My point is, just
because he works for a dealer dosn't make him infallible. I'm not
saying he IS wrong, but he could be.