Stock Roof Rack Strength

I have two bike holders from my old car. They are Thule and are supposed to mount on the Thule roof rack but they physically fit on the stock rack on my 2000 XJ Sport. Here's my problem: the front cross bar on my rack is caved from too much weight from the previous owner. I can pick a new cross bar up dirt cheap but I don't want to waste my time if they are not strong enough to hold a couple of bikes. I'm concerned mostly about the lateral torque on them when I'm turning or in a cross wind.

I can't do an honest to goodness roof rack just yet. No money and I still need to get into the low parking garage at work.

This is the bike holder I have:
http://www.thuleracks.com/images/products/599xtr.jpg

as long as your not going to be putting two choromolly downhill bikes on there, you should be just fine!

Here is a quote I posted from an earlier post on racks.
"I would think that a good Thule or yakima rack is your best bet. I have hauled 16- 16' 2X12s with my Yakima (gutter mount)on an XJ. I had to support the center of the poles. They were sagging about 2". Needless to say, I got the same Yakima racks with my new XJ. As far as the stock racks, I have broken them with 3- 8' 2x4s. Won't ever use the stock ones again."

Most stock roof racks are rated for 100 lbs. "evenly distributed". The key word is evenly. Anything heavier I'd use a gutter mount rack. I regularly carry 2 16" canoes that weigh 80+ lbs. apiece. on a slightly modified (I added 6" extensions on either side) gutter mount rack, on the highway, on bumpy a** dirt/gravel roads and even somewhat rocky climbing without a squeak from the rack.