While at the dealer today inquiring about a re-designed non-leaking Tonneau cover, the service technician printed out a July 2005 Honda Service News letter that had good info in it I'm posting to the forum. These are NOT TSB's...but extra info for the techs.

this was interesting and I quote:
Anytime you adjust, remove or detach the rear roof trim on a 06 ridgeline, you've got to REPLACE the clips and grommets. this also applies if you're doing any of these procedures:
• R&R of bed flor or bed side, C-piller outer trim, EVAP canister.
• installation of the tonneau cover, back up sensor, rearview camera.

The clips and grommets lose half of their holding strength the first time they're detached. If you forget to replace them, the rear roof rim could tear off the vehicle while driving down the road.
Replacement parts:
Rear roof grommet A: PN: 91505-SJC-A01 H/C 7985088 (Qty1)
Rear Roof trim, grommet B PN: 91506-SJC-A01 H/C 7985096 (Qty 6)
Cowl Top Cliip: 90602-SX0-003 H/C 4634838 (qty 7)

Well, this wasn't a very timely message for me to read . . . just installed back-up camera, tailgate lock & Retrax tonneau cover last week. Got to the top cover & the existing grommets looked fine so I left them there. I'm thinking I'll be OK just because the seated back in very firmly.
P.S. If you're doing work that requires removal of this piece, you really only have to pop loose & set forward a couple of inches to provide necessary clearance for other panel removal (you don't have to disconnect connectors & take it off all the way).

 

This is very true. I learned that when I took the truck to the automatic car wash and the drying blowers popped the rear roof rack lose. I need to get the new grommets/clips.
Thanks,
Gonzo

 

...but removing the grommets is so hard that it sometimes bends the sheetmetal.

If you do replace them be sure to use some sealant under the new ones (in addition to the very thin gasket supplied)

 

don't count on ever getting it to stay in place even if you do replace the clips. My Honda dealer installed the Honda bed cover on my 2007 Ridgeline and then the plastic peice that makes up the last 8 or so inches of the roof on started pulling up in the wind. They made numerous repair attempts, including replacing all clips, then replacing everything, and never could get it to stay down. Honda admitted that they have a problem with these and on some trucks is just isn't fixable. Honda bought back the cover, gave me an extended warranty, and then I got a shell that covers the rear portion of the roof. If I didn't want that shell, that wasn't any reasonable fix possible.

 

you should tell this to the dealerships. When my dealer took off where the 3rd tailight panel is to install the rear camera and the roof rack they did not replace the clips. I noticed a thud-thud-thud sound whenever i drove and it was the panel flapping in the wind. It came off a few times in the car wash as well. I had to tape it up until honda FINALLY resolved the problem 2 months later. needless to say I was extremely pissed.

 

When in doubt liquid nails works great...!!!!!!!!

Vinnie

 

I will be installing a roof rack soon ( factory ) does any of this apply to that installation. I am confused by the various installations that were discussed here... tailight,bed,roof....?

 

I wish we would have gotten some answers to this question. Will be installing the roof rack this weekend hopefully. I might just go buy the appropriate parts beforehand just in case.

 

If you look for it in the search tool it is there. There are great detailed instructions with pictures posted by a member. The far piece where the third brake light is does not have to come off. Actually, you don't touch it at all.

 

Here it tis...

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/f...roof+rack+clip

It's just a couple pics... but they will help.

 

Yes In my 07 I lost the roof 3rd brake light coweling on the highway it flew off ripped all the wiring and took 2 weeks to get another one, man was I pissed

So yes replace all plastic clips where applicable
"when in doubt, throw it out"

 

The OP in this thread mentions replacing these things if you remove the sides of the bed. Am I understanding this correctly?

I plan on installing a backup camera, and I have read another very informative thread that concluded removing the top trim above the third brake light, and the c-pillar trim, wasn't necessary.

That leaves only the bed sides...so, if they DO need replacement, which part numbers apply to the bed sides? Two of the parts mentioned have the word ROOF so I'm not sure if they apply.

 

I just installed the OEM camera on my RL last week. The kit comes with new grommets and clips for the roof panel. I followed the Honda directions and everything worked just fine. I centered my camera over the tailgate handle, but otherwise, I went by the book. It's not a hard install. It's just time consuming. Good luck with your install.

 

Just bought my 08 ridgeline a month ago. No known crashes or work done on that area. I was driving down the highway and heard a pop. Went back to try and find it but was unsuccessful. What is that going to run me? Is there any options other than stock?

P.S. I've been reading a lot lately on ROC. Very informative, thank you. Sadly this is my first post however.