PLEASE HELP - Problem removing TE Step Rail to Install Budbuilt sliders

B

bigbillyt

New member
Okay, I just got my Budbuilt Rock Sliders yesterday and when I went to install them, on the passenger side, the forward-most inside bolt holding the bracket on for the original step-rails will not come unscrewed. I went ahead and removed the two small nuts holding the bracket onto the step-rail so the step rail is removed and out of the way. I assume the clip/nut that holds that bolt in place came loose inside there and now it is impossible to unscrew it any further. I have tried numerous methods using the bracket and a crow bar to put pressure against the bolt and nothing is making any difference. I assume my only two options now are to either cut it off and have a loose nut rattling around in my truck, but that will make two of us, and as much as I might enjoy the company the noise might bug me. Or, it might be possible to just leave the bracket there, I haven't taken the trouble to figure out how much it would interfere with the install of the Budbuilt slider on that side.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
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You could try to drill a small hole next to the head of the bolt to try to also catch the clip drilling a hole through it too. If successful then you could put a screw in to hold the clip and then remove the bolt. Leave the screw in to prevent the clip from rattling around. It would be nice to know how big the clips are first.
 
Thanks for the suggestions

Long story made short. This all started because 3-4 weeks ago I had a fender bender where another driver t-boned me and bent up the passenger side step rail. I used the opportunity to take the money the insurance was paying to replace it and just go ahead and replace them both with the sliders.

So, I am going to start by talking to the body shop and see what they can do since it is a bolt on that side that is the problem.
 
bigbillyt said:
Okay, I just got my Budbuilt Rock Sliders yesterday and when I went to install them, on the passenger side, the forward-most inside bolt holding the bracket on for the original step-rails will not come unscrewed. I went ahead and removed the two small nuts holding the bracket onto the step-rail so the step rail is removed and out of the way. I assume the clip/nut that holds that bolt in place came loose inside there and now it is impossible to unscrew it any further. I have tried numerous methods using the bracket and a crow bar to put pressure against the bolt and nothing is making any difference. I assume my only two options now are to either cut it off and have a loose nut rattling around in my truck, but that will make two of us, and as much as I might enjoy the company the noise might bug me. Or, it might be possible to just leave the bracket there, I haven't taken the trouble to figure out how much it would interfere with the install of the Budbuilt slider on that side.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Had the same problem. Here's how I solved it:

1) Cut the bolt off.
2) Remove the rubber plug that is located forward of the mounting holes.
3) Use one of those magnet tools designed for retrieving parts from inaccessible places (make sure it has a flexible shaft) and work it into the hole where you removed the rubber plug. Pull out the nut.
4) Reinsert the plug.

If you haven't done anything to cause the nut to move around (like driving) it will be in easy reach of the magnet. If you have caused the nut to move around you may have a little more difficult time.
 
STLDAVE said:
Had the same problem. Here's how I solved it:

1) Cut the bolt off.
2) Remove the rubber plug that is located forward of the mounting holes.
3) Use one of those magnet tools designed for retrieving parts from inaccessible places (make sure it has a flexible shaft) and work it into the hole where you removed the rubber plug. Pull out the nut.
4) Reinsert the plug.

If you haven't done anything to cause the nut to move around (like driving) it will be in easy reach of the magnet. If you have caused the nut to move around you may have a little more difficult time.
Click to expand...
Thanks, cutting the bolt and then using a magnet to retrieve the nut worked perfectly as described.
 
And here I thought I was just unlucky when I had this happen to me last fall when I was removing the running boards to make way for my Rocky Roads sliders. Mine was the rear bolt on the driver side that broke loose. I ended up chopping a slot in the running board bracket that allowed me to remove the bracket and leave the loose bolt in place. I did it this way b/c I didnt want a loose bolt/nut rattling around down there if I cut off the bolt head and if I ever decided to put the running boards back on (since they're way safer to stand on when loading skis, etc on the roof in the winter) I still had something for the running board bracket to bite on (after putting a c-clip or something between the bracket and bolt head to take up the small gap from the 1/2 turn I got before the nut just started spinning). A few strips of duct tape on the bolt head and body to keep it from rattling and keep water out and haven't looked back.

Good to know there's a plug to access the cavern in the body with a magnet to get the bolt out if needed tho.
 
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