Roof deformation?

[guest3170]

I've picked up a few "dimples" in the car roof. At least 6 of them, grouped close together. First noticed after we drove through a very heavy hailstorm, and assumed to be hail damage. But on reflection I would have expected more widespread damage and I'm wondering if it's related to carrying items on roof bars. I'm certain I haven't dropped anything on the roof, my usual cargo is a 5 metre kayak (approx 26kg) or occasionally a bicycle.

Has anyone else carrying things on the roof seen similar dents? They're very hard to photograph, my best effort attached...

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[chrisc]

I suggest that is a manufacturing defect, more related to the stressed steel that something you might have done.  My car has a similar dimple on the one rear door, which I notice each time I wash it, but not otherwise

[madasafish]

WHich roof rack are you using?

Standard Honda?

Sounds like local overloading - the wind effect of a kayak could be huge at speed.

[guest3170]

Using a Thule foot pack and roof bar set as supplied by the dealer with the car. It's the correct kit for the Jazz, installed according to directions. Due to it's length I tie the kayak down front and rear to avoid any rocking motion which may cause overloading. The dents do look more like impact points than ripples in real life, but then I'm sure steel can create lots of funny shapes when stressed.

Now hunting for somebody to try and pop them out

First time I filled up with gas I did my usual "rock the car to get the tank full" push on the C pillar just behind the tailgate and felt it flex. They make them thin nowadays!

[madasafish]

Thin?

My uncle had a Renault 16 in the 1960s. In the front seats if you  pushed hard on the floor or the front wheelarch , the the metal bent under your foot.

I shudder to think of it in a crash.. but most rusted away..

[Ozzie]

Thin?

My uncle had a Renault 16 in the 1960s. In the front seats if you  pushed hard on the floor or the front wheelarch , the the metal bent under your foot.

I shudder to think of it in a crash.. but most rusted away..

I bought a Y reg Renault 5TX as a treat for passing my apprenticeship exams, however it was a bit of a mistake ! I stopped to give way to an oncoming car, he clipped the front bumper, just about hard enough to smash the headlight, but managed to twist the roof enough to write it off. The gap between the drivers door and the roof was big enough to fit your hand through, all from a 10mph bump.

[chrisc]

Don't these cars have to pass a European safety test which, amongst other things, checks for deformity?

[guest3895]

Some might say that Renaults were deformed anyway, Chris!!