Had a little issue. Driving home from the mt's on a windy day my sporty's factory rack broke! it was only holding 4 boards. well below the factory rack weight. Has anyone took the factory rack off? I found a replacement factory one at the junk yard i can get for 5bucks but im thinking it will prob brake also! I found a yakima rack there also on a wrecked blazer. Im thinking about getting that one insted. it has locks on it so taking it off is gonna b a *****. Out of the 4 boards only mine got trashed the rest had little damage. suggestions?

What broke? Cross over bar?
Factory mounted rack rails are held on by machine screws that go through the roof and into threaded nuts.
If you get a Yakima, see if the cross bars will fit the Kia rails. If so, they might be a better choice, otherwise, if you replace the entire system, unless it is the same width, attachment will be by sheetmetal screws and you will have to plug the stock holes.
Just some food for thought...
Everet
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

sounds like the wind got under your boards and ripped it off.Hope that never happends to mine.I have a Sunco sitting on top of the KIA rack so you may need both the KIA rack for the Yakima to bolt on to, at least the side rails

The cross bar broke whare it connects to the rack. i got the yakima off the blazer. it was a *****, mostly cuz it was raining and then turned to freezing rain until i was done. . go figure. the factory rack on the other sport was also cracked. so i didnt get it. so im gonna take my factory rack off and bolt the yakima on. I was told that the junk sport is gonna get crushed soon. anyone needs anything off this? still has the interior. i took 2 factory wheels for 20 each. and the grill for 5 bucks cuz mine got trashed. it was smacked on the pass side..none of the air bags deployed tho.. im kinda worried about that.. so every one who has factory racks look out!! dont want this to happen to u!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I,'ve hauled a lot of heavy stuff on mine with no problems but I'll check it out good every time I load it up now. I have 2 pickups and I allways seem to be in the Kia when I find stuff at the hardware store.

Dennis

Me and Calypous got the Yakima Rack for the Sporty (only his is 2 Dr.) and mine is a 4 door......
if u order the right one it will fit......... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

what year is the sprt at the junkyard? i need a idle air control valve...

its a 1999 sport 5sp. i will take a look to see if its still there if u want. I have to go back with a friend and get a grill for his jeep. the bars for the yakima were a bit long, think im gonna trim them down a bit.