Inside the factory roof rack adjuster!
I have the same problem on my my '98, the rear bar won't move, the adjuster release buttons acted like they were solid, without any ability to be pressed inward, what-so-ever. Tried WD-40, tried Kroil, tried BFH, nothing worked.
So...with a thin screwdriver, I managed to work the buttons out from the upright's slots that they are supposed to slide in and out of. There were some fussy little, sort of "L" shaped metal straps that slip onto the adjuster's spring & plunger. It appears they are supposed to move inward with the push of the button, and thereby raise and release the plunger and spring so that the rack's upright can slide along the rail.
Problem is, when I pried out the buttons, apparantly I broke the little plastic nibs on bottom and top of button, that apparantly keep the button from popping completely out of the upright when spring tension in released.
In otherwords, these appear to be non-repairable. :nono: At least not by prying the buttons out to "see what's wrong" with the fiddly little things. Its interesting to note, the spring and plunger were completely clean, and moved up and down freely. The problem seemed to be in the relationship of the metal strap & the plastic button. If the strap has somehow "fallen" out of proper position/angle in relation to the button, no amount of pressure or lube on the button will have the slightest impact on releasing the plunger!
I could not put the two pieces back into the upright in any combination of attempts that would work more than one time before either the strap "fell"out of position again and the button could not be pressed in, or, when spring tension on the plunger was released, as when the plunger locked into a hole on the rail, the metal strap would pop the button right out of its slot.
Hope my description helps, Its a lot simpler to look at than describe. If there is interest, I'll try to take a digital photo or two, and post them?
In the meantime, I' just leaving the buttons and straps off. I can reach into the upright with needle nose pliars, or a screw-driver, and push the plunger up to move the rack forward and back. Not elegant, but, cheap! If I find some working uprights at the junkyard, I may replace them, or, if someone has a better fix, I would like to try it. :laugh3:
Allred
