$1.87 Rivet nut tool for step/running boards.

[mike kennedy]

The method described by Vertrki works with a few additions. I used a similar method at work a few years back on an 8 carrier bike trailer and I used the same method 2 nights ago after finding out Harbor freight did not carry the tool and I didn't want to beg a dealer for some help.

I purchased everything from the home depot hardware isle but I would recommend going to a bolts and fasteners store or equivelent to buy the hardest nuts and bolts you could get to avoid breakage.
I purchased 2 sets of 8mm bolts(2" long) 2 8mm nuts, a few washers and a few washers with one side rubber coated.

Screw a nut onto the bolt and leave a space 1/4" from bolt head and then slide on a washer then the rubber sided washer(rubber side facing the rivet you screw on next until it touches the rubber side of the washer).
Slide the bolt with the knurled threaded insert(rivet) into the hole in the vehicle panel until it is snug against the panel. I didn't, but you might want to use a lockut or red prolock on the rivet before you insert it into the hole.
Use a 8mm wrench on the bolt head(to keep from spinning) and use the longest 8mm wrench on the nut and start tightening the nut toward the vehicle. On both sides of the truck I tightened the nut around 1 1/4" in and I was able to pull the whole assembly out so I had to loosen and start over a 2nd time then it caught, thats when you need the big wrench or a few bowls of wheaties.You should be able to tell when your finished by the lbs needed to spin the nut. Don't go too far and break the bolt and use a part of the vehicle to support the bolt head wrench while turning the nut wrench. When done back off on the nut and then loosen the head bolt from the rivet and everything should come off but the rivet.
The following pics should help you understand easier.

[mike kennedy]

continuing the installation process.

[meanmachine19]

Nice job Mike! The side steps look great on your silver RL. What else are you going to add?

[bellteck]

Standing Ovation !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mike kennedy]

Maybe just an air deflector and a new front grill. I am pretty happy with the rest of the truck but who knows! I have other things to spend money that I don't have on.

[denvrfan]

Love the 2nd to last picture. Honda should use that one in their brochure. What part of the west is that? One thing is for sure, don't light a match anywhere near that dried out field/meadow!

[mike kennedy]

Thats at the base of the Pusch Ridge wilderness preserve in Catalina State park 25 minutes north of Tucson,AZ. It was 107 degrees when I took that pic and yes that weed/grass mixture could use some water but the monsoons are around the corner and that stuff is going to turn green.

[Mrhandy]

Mike:

Thanks for the idea. i just got done installing the Boards today. Used your $1.87 rivnut tool. Worked like a charm.

Thanks for the help.

[mcneon]

I just installed my new running boards, and I tried a slight variation on this theme. Instead of the rubber-faced washer I used a strip of 1/8" sheet metal about 18" x 3/4", with a 5/16" hole drilled in one end. Dimensions of this strip aren't important as long as one end rests on the ground when in use - that eliminates the need to hold onto it.

The hole needs to be a pretty close fit on the bolt diameter to keep the insert from pulling through it. With this technique, the insert never wants to turn, so there's no worry about trying to get the insert teeth to bite.

I also greased the bolt threads; it helps, too, to use a hardened washer. Once I'd gone about one turn of the nut, very little torque was needed. When the insert started to get tight, the wrenching force increased and it was time to stop.

Wouldn't it have been nice if Honda had just installed this darn nut on the assembly line?

Bob in Nashville

[woodco]

Even easier..Using a stainless nut, bolt, and lock washer, just pop out the plastic plug , and using your finger insert the lock washer and the nut on the end of the bolt.