Question On Side Steps

[neilbedwell]

I have been researching a set of nerf bars or side steps for my truck. It's a 2011 GMC Sierra regular cab W/T. I have read the issues folks are having with the body mount bolts and the captive nut coming loose. I'd like to avoid that if at all possible. Are there any steps or nerf bars out there that do not require removing the body mount bolts? If so, any recommendations for or against? Thanks so much!

[Stevens03]

I have been researching a set of nerf bars or side steps for my truck. It's a 2011 GMC Sierra regular cab W/T. I have read the issues folks are having with the body mount bolts and the captive nut coming loose. I'd like to avoid that if at all possible. Are there any steps or nerf bars out there that do not require removing the body mount bolts? If so, any recommendations for or against? Thanks so much!

 

I've personally not read that as an issue. I've not had any issues with my factory steps and quite frankly, once they are installed, you shouldn't have to worry about them for a very long time.

[karlitos]

I have been researching a set of nerf bars or side steps for my truck. It's a 2011 GMC Sierra regular cab W/T. I have read the issues folks are having with the body mount bolts and the captive nut coming loose. I'd like to avoid that if at all possible. Are there any steps or nerf bars out there that do not require removing the body mount bolts? If so, any recommendations for or against? Thanks so much!

 

I've installed "nerf" bars on a 2004 EXT Cab and never had any issues with the body mount bolts and I just installed bars on my 2010 CC with no issues.

[neilbedwell]

This is the issue I am talking about:

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...mp;hl=nerf+bars

 

Were there any changes in 2011 to remedy this?

[dsr611]

There are numerous posts regarding people installing steps and the weld on the captive nut breaking and being unable to remove the bolt. Fix is to cut a hole in the floor and remove nut from inside the truck.

 

I installed my Raptor series steps and had no problem at all. IIRC, the GM oval steps mount to the rocker panels instead of the body mounts. I don't know for sure though if they are available for reg cab trucks. I'm sure there are some aftermarket steps that also mount to the rocker panels.

[Stevens03]

Ok, I know the nuts your talking about and I've not had any trouble with both my previous 07 nor my 11. I can understand how it happens but didn't know the problem existed till I read the above thread.

[ruggedlife]

it is a well known issue, ive had it happen to me before at work. n-fab style bars mount to the rocker panel, so do some of westins flat style boards, infact most flat style boards are goin to mount to the rocker instead of the body mount, deezee has some nice ones. the amp research power step also mounts to the rocker. so do the oem gm steps

[mc7719]

Ok, I know the nuts your talking about and I've not had any trouble with both my previous 07 nor my 11. I can understand how it happens but didn't know the problem existed till I read the above thread.

 

Same here. I have the OEM 6" ovals

[neilbedwell]

I stumbled across this today. I wonder how many people have actually had problems with this.

 

https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150327184150573

[j13smiley]

i've read about this too... so what brand does not mount there? some one mentioned deezee but i'm pretty sure they do. does no one clamp onto the frame?

[foghorn23]

I had a set of traditional nerfs bolted to the body mount positions on my 04 Silverado with no problems, but like you I read of this problem when I was looking for steps for my 2011. I was afraid to go with a similar product on the new truck. I wound up going with a set of Ionic Voyagers from http://www.runningbo...d-cab-2011.aspx. These bolted to the rocker panels and are super strong. I called these folks directly before I purchased and they were aware of the body mount problem on GM trucks and helped me find a product that worked for me. Good luck.