Cab Mount Bolt Specs & Side Steps Install....

NS Sierra Guy · April 8, 2009

I just purchased a set of side steps for my 09 Sierra and they mount to the body mount brackets (using different length bolts to replace factory). I was reviewing the install instructions and they did not specify what I should torque the body mount bolts back to after install and when I e-mailed them for tech support they said to 'just tighten them with a ratchet and you should be ok'. What are these bolts tightened to from factory? Should I tighten the longer replacement bolts to the same specs? Thanks.

NS Sierra Guy · April 11, 2009

I just purchased a set of side steps for my 09 Sierra and they mount to the body mount brackets (using different length bolts to replace factory). I was reviewing the install instructions and they did not specify what I should torque the body mount bolts back to after install and when I e-mailed them for tech support they said to 'just tighten them with a ratchet and you should be ok'. What are these bolts tightened to from factory? Should I tighten the longer replacement bolts to the same specs? Thanks.

Well I installed the step bars this weekend.....had to use the factory body mount bolts and torqued them to 40 ft-lbs. I spent half an hour at my dealership trying to find out what to torque them to however they could not find any information. If anyone else knows or has a general idea what they should be torqued to let me know.

JoshRDavis.84 · April 12, 2009

I just purchased a set of side steps for my 09 Sierra and they mount to the body mount brackets (using different length bolts to replace factory). I was reviewing the install instructions and they did not specify what I should torque the body mount bolts back to after install and when I e-mailed them for tech support they said to 'just tighten them with a ratchet and you should be ok'. What are these bolts tightened to from factory? Should I tighten the longer replacement bolts to the same specs? Thanks.

Well I installed the step bars this weekend.....had to use the factory body mount bolts and torqued them to 40 ft-lbs. I spent half an hour at my dealership trying to find out what to torque them to however they could not find any information. If anyone else knows or has a general idea what they should be torqued to let me know.

I am guessing the steps you bought didnt have instructions as to re-torque spec on the bolts. When I bought mine I think the instructions had this listed. I do not have the instructions anymore, but I think it was more than 40 ft lbs, however I could be very wrong.

You could try a search, dont know how much help that would be though. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

Zembonez · April 12, 2009

Just make sure they are good and tight. Our shop has been installing steps with a calibrated impact (set for 50 ft/lbs) for years and never had any problem. In fact all large bolt on accessories get the same treatment. (Wheels and engine components obviously not included) If they aren't tight enough, you'll know because they will creak when the truck twists.

2k7gmcsierra · April 12, 2009

Thanks for posting up Zembonez. I recently put my steps back on at my wifes request and I've been battling a squeak ever since. Just torqued them to 50ft lbs.

2k7gmcsierra · April 13, 2009

Just as an update. I torqued my mounts to 50 and continued to have creaking sounds so I gradually worked my way up to 75lb ft and that was the ticket to silence my cab mounts.

NS Sierra Guy · April 13, 2009

Everyone thanks for the info. I torqued mine to 55 and have slight creak on the passenger side....so tomorrow I will increase it until I get silence, which will probably be 75 ft/lbs.

MikeInCtown · April 13, 2009

FWIW on my 04 and Summit step bars the spec was 65pounds on all bolts.

NS Sierra Guy · April 14, 2009

I just went through a round of tightening and testing and I am still a failure..... I have them torqued to 80 ft/lbs and they still creak. It seems that it is the passenger side only..... Anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to over-tighten and snap something off. The sega continues...... if I can't get it to silence I will re-install and if that doesn't work then I don't know what to do next......

MD_silverado · April 15, 2009

I installed a part of Nasta stainless steals last week instructions say 40 ft lbs - there are no sqeaks or odd noise...

Make sure to only hand tighten all 6 bolts before tightenting - this will help the align everything. ONce everyhting lines up and is centered then tighten the bolts that hold bars to the brackets first. Then tighten the bracket bolts to the frame/body. I think this sequence helps - at least it worked for me. Also, make sure to use lock tite on the new aftermarket bolts the come w/ the new bars (instructions do not tell you this). I used the blue (serviceable) i think it is 242. I Noticed the OEM bolts have a patch of lock tite on the them but the instructions from nasta did not specify to do this.