Member Since: 08 Jun 2020
Location: Saltash
Posts: 14
Side Steps Fitting Issues
Evening all,
I ordered a set of the OEM style side steps for my Disco 4, and started fitting them this weekend.
I cut the holes out of the near side sill cover using a drill and Jigsaw. All good so far. Got the nearside bracket bolted in but ran in to trouble with the middle and back. I struggled to line up the holes for the underside bolts. Definitely the right bracket. Took a break from that and tried the rear.
I thought I had flushed out the captive nuts but as I put in one of the bolts I felt some resistance but carried on thinking it just needed some elbow grease. I then sheared the bolt in the captive nut!!!! I'm no wimp, but the bolt must surely have been made of chocolate!!!
So now I'll be putting a call in to my local garage tomorrow to see if they can:
A. Extract the bolt.
B. Fit the side steps for me!
The cutting of the holes was quite enjoyable, the rest not so much :-/
I bought the kit from Direct 4x4 based on their online fitting videos. Just a shame my DIY skills were lacking.
Any tips / advice gratefully received.
12th Jul 2020 11:23 pm
Vince2
Member Since: 16 May 2017
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 20
I've fitted 2 sets of non factory side steps to my disco 4 and luckily all went well although I do remember having to loose fit the mounting bolts as tightening up one would miss-align the others.
If you have metal drill bits, you can try drilling out the broken bolt. Start by using a small bit right in the centre of the broken bolt. Use a centre punch to try to make a recess for the drill bit to guide it. Gradually increase bit size till you eventually start breaking into the thread. As you detect that, stop and you should be able to pick at it with a pick tool to break it up.
You may have to use a tap to clear the threads after.
Good luck.
2011 D4 XS - OBD port protection, RLD spare wheel protector, All LED interiors lights, Timed Climate enabled, iiD tool paired.
2011 D4 Landmark - Stolen from same dealer before I paid for it
2011 D4 GS - Stolen whilst at dealer ... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
1996 300Tdi - Eaten by tin worms
Last edited by Hardware on 27th Sep 2020 6:29 pm. Edited 1 time in total
13th Jul 2020 5:46 pm
Balders of Cornwall
Member Since: 08 Jun 2020
Location: Saltash
Posts: 14
In the end I took it to my trusted Garage and even they struggled with it a bit.
Best money I've ever spent, getting someone else to wrestle with it!!
22nd Sep 2020 7:11 pm
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4545
Best thing you can do with side steps is take them off and throw them in a skip! Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
22nd Sep 2020 8:33 pm
sheddist
Member Since: 28 Jan 2019
Location: Telford
Posts: 12
When fitting steps to mine, the screw was a bit tight for comfort, removed screw then ran a tap through. No problem!
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... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
