Body Bolt Problem (need Help)

CVA59 · July 28, 2009

I have a 2008 Ext. Cab Silverado. I recently put some nerf bar steps on it. The bars are bolted to a square type steel bracket that has a hole in the top that the body bolt goes thru. It mounts to the 2 front and the 2 rear body mounts. The top plate face of the bracket mounts flush against the big steel washer of the body bolt bushing. I installed these and tightened the front & rear bolts up pretty tight by hand with a 1/2" drive pull bar. Now, I have a rattling noise coming from under the front end/floorboard area. Also, i have much louder road noise and a rougher ride. I have done everything i know and it still rattles. It DID NOT rattle before i put these bars on. It sounds exactly like a loose shock absorber. I do not have a torque wrench. I am not sure if the bolts are not torqued properly or what? What is the correct torque lbs. for these bolts? Any ideas???

Thanks,

Zack

DofD · July 28, 2009

Did you tighten them again after driving for a hundred miles or so? Is there any play to the nerf bars? Did you use any loctight on the bolts?

bill190 · July 28, 2009

I read this earlier and was thinking about it...

Is one end bolted to the cab and the other end bolted to the truck bed?

I'm wondering if maybe the truck bed is "wobbling" in relation to the cab?

Might have someone ride in the back and see if there is any movement of the truck bed in relation to the cab. (If you don't have a "can of peas" [Canopy/camper shell])

CVA59 · July 28, 2009

Did you tighten them again after driving for a hundred miles or so? Is there any play to the nerf bars? Did you use any loctight on the bolts?

I re-tightened them but only because it was rattling. There is no play in the bars. I didn't use any loctite.

CVA59 · July 28, 2009

I read this earlier and was thinking about it...

Is one end bolted to the cab and the other end bolted to the truck bed?

I'm wondering if maybe the truck bed is "wobbling" in relation to the cab?

Might have someone ride in the back and see if there is any movement of the truck bed in relation to the cab. (If you don't have a "can of peas" [Canopy/camper shell])

No, the rear bar bracket bolts to the rear cab support and the front bar bracket bolts to the front cab support. The bed does not appear to be affected by any of this. I must have the bolts too tight or something.

03blackz71 · July 28, 2009

Is any part of the bracket touching the frame at all? Also did they give you a spacer to go between the bracket and the body mount? If so then that might be your rattle. Plus I don't think you have them tightened down good enough. I have a 1/2" torque wrench that has about a 2 foot handle and it takes alot to get it to the point were it is set to the right torque. A regular wrench won't do it.

CVA59 · July 29, 2009

I think i have it solved guys. It was missing the thin clear rubber spacer that "07blackz71" spoke about above. It was rubbing metal on metal. Once i put the rubber spacers between them it is quite now and not making any noise. Thanks to all who replied, I appreciate it.