Can I safely assume that you took the end caps off the load bars? Are the bolts completely loosened or removed? If you didn't get manuals with it, all of the Thule manuals are on their website, maybe there's a trick to your model, but I think it's pretty straight forward.

 

Can I safely assume that you took the end caps off the load bars? Are the bolts completely loosened or removed? If you didn't get manuals with it, all of the Thule manuals are on their website, maybe there's a trick to your model, but I think it's pretty straight forward.

Yes, the end caps are off and all the bolts are removed. This is a very "simple" step, it just isn't easy. They just don't want to slide on.

 

Yes, the end caps are off and all the bolts are removed. This is a very "simple" step, it just isn't easy. They just don't want to slide on.

In that case just lube em up and push. Make sure they are aligned perfectly, and check the plastic coating for nicks that it might be getting snagged on. It really shouldn't take any force to get them on.

 

I had some load bars that started to rust and it swelled up the plastic covering enough that I really had to use a lot of effort to get them on. Maybe if you get a file and scrape some of the plastic of/make it thinner.

 

I called Thule and they recommended putting a bunch of dish soap on it for lubrication.

 

Try to get the part numbers for the bars and feet. Check website to make sure they are compatible. There have been unscrupulous eBay'ers that make the old switcheroo. Hopefully this is not the case and they are just being stubborn!

 

There is a clip on the back side of the feet that needs to be unclipped before they slide anywhere. It's a plastic tounge that has a ratcheting action when you tighten the bolts.