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Step Bars: Installed Correctly?

grosss

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grosss Enthusiast

grosss

Posted
Posted

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 Enthusiast

zeven13

Posted
Posted

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 Enthusiast

DEV1ST8R

Posted
Posted
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...

grosss Enthusiast

grosss

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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 Enthusiast

DEV1ST8R

Posted
Posted

Does your support mount look something like this:

 

388338533.jpg

 

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 Senior Enthusiast

BigBlueLB756

Posted
Posted

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

DEV1ST8R Enthusiast

DEV1ST8R

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the torque settings and washer solution! You guys ROCK! :lol: 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 :rollin: )

grosss Enthusiast

grosss

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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.

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