Have been using a Thule 561 cycle carrier for about 9 months now but am unsure about it. When my bike is mounted securely to the carrier the head of the unit with the quick release bolt running through rocks through its bushings. Is this a problem with the rack or do all carriers have this issue. When driving the carrier is noisy where movement occurs within the head of the unit.
I have the earlier Thule fork mounted carriers.Used them for over ten years no problems.
I can only assume that you have not tightened them to roofbars right from your description.
i've got that same one and have had no problems with it, as described or otherwise.
The problem appears to be that the quick release axle is running through oversized nylon bushings in the head of the carrier which gives play. The carrier is secured correctly to the roof bars but the mouning to bars is not the issue.
You're adjusting the axle clamping force with the big roller right?
Correct. I am tightening the roller to the forks and the forks are securely fixed. This is not the problem. The problem is where the roller/ axle passes through the nylon bushings attached to the outside of the head unit. This is where the play is. When the forks are securely and correctly mounted to the carrier the bike can be rocked from side to side which is what is happening whilst driving. There is no mounting issue. With an HND in Engineering I believe that I have covered that issue correctly.
why don't you get it replaced/repaired then, if you're so sure there's something wrong with the item rather than user error? and why ask on here?
If you think you have a problem with any thule part contact them.
Their customer service is excellent.