Step Bars: Installed Correctly?

[grosss]

I bought a set of used Dee Zee step bars off of Kijiji and just want to make sure I installed them correctly. The steps seem to bend down when you step on them and I always thought step bars were more rigid than that.

 

Installation of body bolts went

 

Bolt-> bracket of bar ->Rubber body mount-> body

 

I assume the flex is from the bar's bracket pushing up on the rubber mount and flexing it, but I just wanted to know if I was supposed to put the bracket against the body instead.

 

Any input is appreciated!

[zeven13]

Yes. What did you torque it to? If you under-torque you will hear a noise in the cab over a bumpy road. Always go back and retorque after a few hundred miles.

[DEV1ST8R]

Yes. What did you torque it to? If you under-torque you will hear a noise in the cab over a bumpy road. Always go back and retorque after a few hundred miles.

Do you know what you're supposed to torque them at? My bars didn't specify...

[zeven13]

65-70 ft-lbs.

[grosss]

Actually I didn't bother to check the Torque spec since my truck won't be moving for another day or two anyways (4-step polish job to get out the scratches and make it shine again :-) ) but to answer your question blacK1500, the GM service manual states torque spec as: 85 N·m (63 lb ft).

 

I'll tighten them to that torque spec tomorrow but I have a feeling I went higher than that by hand.

[DEV1ST8R]

Does your support mount look something like this:

 

 

The edges are rubbing against each other and making a horrible creaking noise. I tightened all the bolts and tried a little grease, with no luck. ...not sure what to do, or if they're somehow installed wrong. They are Westin Oval Nerf Bars.

[BigBlueLB756]

Insert metal washers for clearance and then re-torque the body mount bolts to specs (63-65 lb/ft).

[DEV1ST8R]

Thanks for the torque settings and washer solution! You guys ROCK! I used 2 washers and was able to push the mounting bracket a little further back, and tightened it completely before tightening the step bar to the bracket. I haven't test drove it yet, but it sure looks like the problem's solved. (I ended up getting a new torque wrench out of the ordeal )

[grosss]

Yep, I grabbed my torque wrench today and went to 65 ft-lb, apparently I was nowhere near, steps are much more firm now and feel good. No creaking for me! (But I know that's a NBS thing so I wasn't worried)

 

Finished my polish job today, no more scratches! But now I have a terrible shake in the front end I have to diagnose... the fun never stops. OH and my new windshield water leak that I found the other day.