Installing Westin Nerf Bars

Tobes · March 2, 2002

Quick question. When I remove the bolts from the from the body mounts, they have rubber spacers between the bolts and the mounting braket. In looking at the instructions for the extended cab, it would seem that you do not put these spacers back when installing the mounting brakets. This does not seem right. Anyone know the answer to this? Any help would be appreciated.

MountaineerTom · March 2, 2002

Tobes, it's been over a year since I installed mine, so I can't remember for sure. I do know that when I removed the cab bolts, nothing fell down or came off with it but the bolt and washer. I then installed the step bracket. So if there's a spacer, I guess it's still there.

Here's an installation article I did for GMTC. Westin Step Install There are a few pics included in it. Maybe you'll be able to look at them and be able to tell. In the picture of the front set up, it looks like the spacer is there, between the step bracket and the body mount, to me.

Tobes · March 2, 2002

MountaineerTom,

The rubber spacers I am talking about compress when you tighten the bolt to the frame. From looking at your picks I think the rubber gasket is not there, but it is hard to tell...I would post pics, but I have no idea how to do that....I'm clueless on that process.

MountaineerTom · March 2, 2002

Hmm, I don't recall doing anything but removing the bolt/washer and reinstalling it though the bracket. ???

As far as posting pics, you need to have them hosted on the web somewhere. Homestead, geocities, yahoo, picturetrail, and a few others are what you need. Keep in mind, geocities, yahoo, and sometimes picturetrail won't allow you to post the pics on other websites. You can only add a link to your site. I think homestead still has a free web hosting service, limited to 3 pages and 8 megs of space. Once you have them hosted on the web, you can add the pic or a link to your pic.

Let me know if you have them on the web somewhere, and we'll go from there.

Tobes · March 2, 2002

Well, after putting one side on without the rubber gaskets I could see that there was a small gap between the new bracket and the vehicle frame. I figured this was not good so I tried the other side replacing the gasket (that compresses) and it did not seem to make a difference except that the new bracket seemed to be flush against the vehicle so I ended up redoing the first side. I hate ending up with extra parts

But hey, it might have taken me a little more than the average time, but I think its done. I'll let you know if it falls apart.

Tobes · March 2, 2002

Here is a quick link to a page that has a pic of the gasket I am taking about MountaineerTom

Misc Pics of the Truck

MountaineerTom · March 2, 2002

After seeing your pics, and going out to check mine, I have that piece on mine too. They never came off with mine though. Maybe they were a little stuck or something.

Looks good.

I'll try posting a couple pics of your truck.

The day I picked her up

After the Flares and Nerf Bars

Shaners · March 3, 2002

For a product that seems to have great quality like Westin, the instructions really seem to suck. ???

I went through this same problem when I put them on my excab.

Tobes · March 3, 2002

I totally agree. They seem to put out nice stuff, but they can use a little help in the documentation department. Even the diagrams were not that good. You have to really look at it to see exactly what needs to get done. The Instructions on this site actually help a whole lot more. Of course, after you have done the install once, its easy.

wolfie · March 3, 2002

the brackets in the instructions onmine didn't even look like the ones in the box... but after awhile I figured it all out and the second one went on in a flash... there are a couple of bolts in them that I coupldn't get to with my torque wrench though so i just tightened them good and tight.