I am trying to install the cargo net but I cannot figure out how to install the "bottom" hooks. Anyone done this procedure? Insights? The instructions are pretty basic. I feel stupid asking this question but I figure asking was better than f***ing something up!

 

have not personally installed, but have one (great for hard driving - except when you forget to close the top of your water bottle[rats]). I can look to see tomorrow how it might connect for you.

 

I thought I might revive this thread hoping more people have since installed a cargo net. Any new advice?

 

I did it on Sunday. You have to find a drill bit of the same diameter as the rubber end, and drill out a bigger hole on both bottoms.

Once done, the rubber end will fit in, and then with a twist of the bottom hooks the rubber end will squeeze up against the larger hole you drilled, thus keeping it in place.

 

Drilling to install a cargo net? I'm glad I just paid the $40 or whatever it was to get it installed at Port.

 

Damn why would the instructions not say anything about having to drill the car. I wish I had gotten it done at port too.

 

I just put mine in. I didn't have a drill bit handy, so I used the flat head that the instructions said to use. The bottom holes aren't big enough as the rubber piece at the end of the T Fastner.

So I used the flat head and dug into the bottom holes to make the holes bigger. I then took the rubber washers off and screwed the T fastner into the small rubber end. It popped into the hole, unscrewed the T, and put the other washers on. The T screwed in after that.

The top T Fastners fit easily...

 

Installed mine last nite, same procedure as "rxeightr" used, drill bit used was 5/16. Took 2 minutes.

 

Don't drill! You're gonna regret it later. The tubular mounts that slide into your mounting holes must be firmly entrenched or they will loosen with time. The last thing you want to do is make the mounting holes bigger than they already are.

Granted, the instructions are pathetic. Here's what I did.

Take the anchors (the two-piece assembly which includes tubular mounts to go in the mounting holes plus the plastic anchor), keep them as one assembly the way they come in the package. Start them in the trunk mounting holes then tap them in gently with a hammer until they fully nest in the mounting hole. You'll know when; when they go in, they go all the way all at once. I used a wood block over the plastic anchor to hammer so I wasn't hammering directly on the plastic anchor. If they don't go in right away, continue tapping gently with the hammer. Sooner or later, they'll just slip into place.

Once they're set in the mounting holes, just twist/screw in by hand until they're firm. The top ones are completely rigid when in place; the bottom ones aren't quite as solid but they're in to stay. Whole thing takes about 5 minutes, not counting looking for a hammer.

 

I tested the drilling method on another steel piece before drilling the larger hole into my RX-8, and found out the rubber end is designed to expand behind the hole once you start twisting the ****. This is what locks it in place, and keeps it from pulling out. The end result is quite secure & tight. It is not going anywhere.

 

That's good. Mazda sure could have written better instructions. I still recommend the "tapping" technique vice drilling to keep the anchors as secure as possible with the passage of time.

 

I could not get the tapping technique to work. These fuc**** instructions are a joke. I just wish I could get a damn refund on the net. Who is writing these instructions which I regard as crap.

 

Sorry to hear it was a problem. Take a deep breath and let us know what happened. Maybe someone here can help. I presume you popped out the four existing tabs already in the anchor holes? What happened next? If you can get the darn net installed it's definitely worth it as it leaves your trunk way less cluttered.

 

Oh well the top two hooks are no problem. In my opinion the bottom two should install the exact same way and it would be more secure. Anyway, I tapped the bottom ones in and then screwed them to tighten (righty tighty) but they were still loose in my opinion. When I installed the net to the bottom hooks they bent inward. Really cheap feeling and no way it would hold anything securely. I just gave up and said forget it. Wonder how much the dealer charges to install these?

 

My bottom hooks were somewhat looser than the top ones (which were very snug.) I kept screwing 'em in until I decided they were "tight enough." They seemed ok to me in the end, and didn't bend inwards at all. I don't know why they aren't as snug as the top ones.

One thing, which was very subtle in the illustrated instructions, I put the larger anchors at the bottom and smaller ones on top. I would have thought it's the other way around, but that's what the picture appeared to show. Very crappy instructions.

 

Well I tried installing the hooks and I screwed up one of the bottom hooks. Tapping it in and the rubber just tore up!! Any idea if I can get just the bottom hooks anywhere or just the rubber part?? I gave up on this and put my tabs back till I can find a better solution. Most probably try this solution. Sigh!! Onto the next accessory.....