Help!...stripped hole on side steps!

Ok all you mechanically inclined RL owners...I did something really stupid! I just recently installed the chrome side steps which looked awesome. But me and my anal retentiveness decided that I had to adjust the front of the driver's side a little. I guess I must have gotten a little too enthusiastic when initially installing the steps...and tightened the bolts that hold the steps to the bracket too tight!!! :eek: Now...when I loosened it to make the adjustments...they wouldn't tighten back down...I stripped the hole and now they're a little loose. I should have just left it alone!!!

Any ideas how to remedy this?...I'm thinking I'll need to rethread the holes...anybody try something like this?

Do you have any more rivet nut available. you can drill out the old one and install a new rivet nut. Or retap the rivet nut to 11 mm or 12mm bolt.

Do you have any more rivet nut available. you can drill out the old one and install a new rivet nut. Or retap the rivet nut to 11 mm or 12mm bolt.

Bump...good suggestions Snap:cool:

http://www.hotrod.com/howto/97018/

Thanks for the suggestion Snapshot...but it's not the rivet nut that got stripped. It's the hole underneath the chrome step that bolts to the bracket that got stripped. I'm so pissed at myself right now!!!:mad:

I'm looking into rethreading the hole...or tapping it I think it's called...one size up.

Any other suggestions before I get myself in deeper would be much appreciated!

http://www.hotrod.com/howto/97018/

Thanks mugen1...I think that's what I'm looking for...seems like a better solution than tapping a bigger hole and using a bigger bolt. The inserts will allow me to use the 8mm bolts that came with the steps. I just hope I can find that kit locally.

Da Ridge,
If there is a larger access hole around this stripped hole maybe you can drill out the stripped hole and get a nut with a lock washer behind it. Then shove the bolt thru, get the locking nut threaded inside and tighten. I know from looking at the installation instructions that there is a large access hole by the rear mount. Not sure of any other locations.

Another thought might be to exchange bolts with another in case the bolt may also be part of the problem.

At any rate, good luck!

2 words Super Glue;)

What about a couple of washers?

Da Ridge,
Can you post some pix of your silver Ridge with chrome steps?!:cool:

Personally i'd tap it out to one size larger.

Da Ridge,
Can you post some pix of your silver Ridge with chrome steps?!:cool:

jch...here's a link to my RL with the chrome steps installed.
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7191&page=7

Thanks for all the great suggestions guys!!!

Has anyone actually used the threaded repair kit with those coiled inserts...and how did they work out?

The holes are fixed!!!...the thread repair kit with the coiled inserts worked great! I didn't have to make the hole much bigger and the inserts allowed me to use the original bolts.

mugen1...thanks for the link to the info.

Do it the right way and tap a new threaded hole, even if its a little larger. You intend to keep the truck for a while, so do it the right way, the way the factory would do it. When tapping the new hole turn the tap in a little, and back it out and repeat this procedure until you have cut a new thread as deep as you require.:D

Vinnie

Do it the right way and tap a new threaded hole, even if its a little larger. You intend to keep the truck for a while, so do it the right way, the way the factory would do it. When tapping the new hole turn the tap in a little, and back it out and repeat this procedure until you have cut a new thread as deep as you require.:D

Thanks Vinnie...but the coiled inserts work almost the same way...I still had to tap a new threaded hole...just not as big as the next bolt size up. You then install the coiled insert into the new threaded hole...and the insert allows you to use the original bolt. It's supposedly stronger than original...I must say...they did work great!!!