Side Step Removal Problem

Redbarnresto · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 1:10 pm Post subject: Side Step Removal Problem

This one's got me stumped. I looked around for info on this and from what I gather, this bolt should just go up through a hole and be held in with an acorn nut. The nuts come right off, but the bolts on both sides almost seem welded in place. I spent three minutes heating them with a torch and they still won't budge when trying to be turned out with a wrench. I know they'll snap if I try any harder. Am I missing something? I understand that behind these bolts is a pin that holds the plate to the jack point. How does this attach/how can it be removed? Thanks much.

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Dan
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Red Barn Restorations

skills@eurocarsplus · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 1:49 pm Post subject:

you're on the right track. i hate to tell you, the last one i removed involved a plazma cutter and a bus missing 2 jack points Evil or Very Mad

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rustbus · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 1:49 pm Post subject:

i just installed my step yesterday. that bolt is in a smooth hole, its not threaded. no doubt the corrosion between the AL and Steel have that locked up tight.

if you cant beat it out with a hammer and there is just no other way, you *could* cut the plate halfway between the bolt and the pin and either make new ones or weld that one back together. If that bolt wont beat out, or press out, you might have to try and drill it out.

When I installed mine i did not use these plates (i didnt have them) the hole inboard for the pin is not threaded, but is just the right size to run a tap through to use a common 8mm all-thread bolt. the hole in the outrigger is already there so i simply tapped the holes and ran the bolt in with a washer....its very solid and secure. i wouldnt jump on it but i can stand on it and it hardly budges. not sure the logic behind these plates when what i did seems to work very well and simple.

Having seen your pictures, im now going to run those bolts back out and drown them in anti-seize!!! i was s a bit worried the carbon and AL wouldnt get along so close.

I'd wait for more responses though, i'll probably get blasted a little for advocating cutting and hacking Razz

maybe theres a better way.
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grandpa pete · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 8:14 pm Post subject:

put the nut back on 3/4 of the way and beat on it Laughing

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RatCamper · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 1:45 am Post subject:

If it were me (but it's not so don't get any ideas) I'd just grab the step and start wrenching on it. The nut is gone so any movement at all should be at work on the bolt.
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Redbarnresto · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 5:29 am Post subject:

Thanks for the input. Guess it just needs a little more persuasion.

Dan
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Red Barn Restorations

Redbarnresto · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 6:54 am Post subject:

I got the bolts out but the step will barely budge. I assume these pins are still holding it in place. Seems like the step should be able to swing down away from the pins and then out, but it's not happening. I don't know what these pins look like but judging from the word "pin" I assume they just slide into a hole.

All I could find on the matter are these pics from another thread. The pins look broken off to me, which makes me think they're difficult or impossible to remove, but I can't get my head around why a simple pin shouldn't fall right out, or come out with a little persuasion.

Thanks again.

Dan
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Red Barn Restorations

donemoto · Samba Member Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 501

1st of all, with an avatar like yours; I'd expect you would know how to do this. Razz

If the bolts are out; try taking a pin punch to the other two holes. Chances are, it will pop out of the bolt hole....if not... trying drilling the pin out while oiling and wiggling step. If nothing budges, you can always slit the jack points, pry out, then, weld the slits back together. good luck.

Uh, what's that? Red barn Restorations aka VW Repair. Wink

Stay with it, it will come out.
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Redbarnresto · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:04 am Post subject:

There's a first for everything, and this is the first side step I've ever touched!

Step's out. Thanks for the input.

Dan
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Red Barn Restorations

rustbus · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:16 am Post subject:

Redbarnresto · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 4:58 pm Post subject:

I don't usually go hammering on customer's cars unless I'm sure it's the logical option, which it often is. That's why I asked first.

Due to the shape of the body, I couldn't really hammer down on the bolts. Instead, I used a flattened chisel and hammered round and round on the side of the tops of the bolts (not caring about reusing them, obviously) until they loosened up, then spun them out as if they were threaded in place. As careful as I was with the pins on the rear of the plates, they both ended up snapping off. At that point, the step came right out with some wiggling.

Dan
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Red Barn Restorations


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