Posted: May 30 2004 at 9:52am | IP Logged

Well if your having a problem getting the bolts loose there's a few things you can try.....First thing would be to soak down whatever bolts your trying to loosen down with some WD40 or other type of lubricant and try tightening the bolt then loosening it...Not sure If Nissan used loc-tite on the bolts but sometimes a bigger wrench will help or maybe even a pipe on the end of the wrench will do the trick...

You could also try a little heat from one of those little torches and see if that helps ya out..

Posted: Jun 15 2004 at 4:48pm | IP Logged

The only thing I can add to this is that yesterday the dealer installed my Chrome Step Bars.  Although the bars are not OEM they looks awesome!  I don't know if you saw my rant in the general forum but the real key to those types of bars is tightening the bolts...Alot!! 

Good Luck!

Posted: Jun 28 2004 at 11:55am | IP Logged

I just installed a pair of chrome step bars (last Friday) and struggled with the removal of 2 of the mounting bolts to the frame. I did not use WD40, which I should have. Two bolts came out with the thread stripped off. These bolts are 4"+ in length.  I could not explain to myself as to how I could have stripped off about 1/2" of threads, unless (1) it was cross-threaded at installation of the bolts or (2) it was loctited . But the other 2 came out cleanly. I installed and re-torqued the bolts back in using the remainder threads still good on the rest of the bolts. I hope they will hold. I took the truck up Santa Cruz mountain with kids jumping up and down on the bars, and so far they hold up still.

Does anyone have any explanation how the bolts could have threads stripped? and how can I fix this to prevent the bars from dropping onto the ground one of these days?

I have a couple of photos, but can't seem to add to the post. Any idea how?

Thanks much.

Posted: Jun 28 2004 at 5:30pm | IP Logged

If you want to add an image the hit the button in the reply box on the top right hand corner that has a picture of a tree with an arrow pointing up and it'll read image upload if you run your cursor over it...

But it could very well be either of the two things you mentioned..Using either locktite or they cross-threaded them on installation...The only reall thing you can do is either take it to someone or buy yourself a set of tap & Die set and re-tap the hole yourself (which will be cheaper in the long run) and insert new bolts....With that method you could even drill out the holes a bit larger and add some beefier bolts for even more durability..