Factory side step brackets - rusty
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
From: Altoona, PA
Factory side step brackets - rusty
My 2007 JKU is getting a long overdue spruce up.
The 3 x steel brackets that mount the running boards to the body on each side have a LOT of surface rust. My plan was to remove them, and have them blasted and powdercoated - but I've run into a snag. I was able to remove the side steps OK - however, the allen key bolts that mount the brackets to the plastic side steps will not budge. And - I can't get enough leverage with an allen wrench. I've already rounded a couple the bolt holes off. I guess I could dremel a slot into them and try and remove them with a screw driver, but I'm not even sure that would work.
I could grind the heads off the bolts, but I'm not sure I'd be able to wind the remnants out of the threaded inserts in the boards
.
Any one got any bright ideas? Any one run into this problem.
Another option is to replace the steps with aftermarket ones, but I kind of like the stock boards and they're in good shape other than the rusty brackets.
The 3 x steel brackets that mount the running boards to the body on each side have a LOT of surface rust. My plan was to remove them, and have them blasted and powdercoated - but I've run into a snag. I was able to remove the side steps OK - however, the allen key bolts that mount the brackets to the plastic side steps will not budge. And - I can't get enough leverage with an allen wrench. I've already rounded a couple the bolt holes off. I guess I could dremel a slot into them and try and remove them with a screw driver, but I'm not even sure that would work.
I could grind the heads off the bolts, but I'm not sure I'd be able to wind the remnants out of the threaded inserts in the boards
.Any one got any bright ideas? Any one run into this problem.
Another option is to replace the steps with aftermarket ones, but I kind of like the stock boards and they're in good shape other than the rusty brackets.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Little rock, Arkansas
My 2007 JKU is getting a long overdue spruce up.
The 3 x steel brackets that mount the running boards to the body on each side have a LOT of surface rust. My plan was to remove them, and have them blasted and powdercoated - but I've run into a snag. I was able to remove the side steps OK - however, the allen key bolts that mount the brackets to the plastic side steps will not budge. And - I can't get enough leverage with an allen wrench. I've already rounded a couple the bolt holes off. I guess I could dremel a slot into them and try and remove them with a screw driver, but I'm not even sure that would work.
I could grind the heads off the bolts, but I'm not sure I'd be able to wind the remnants out of the threaded inserts in the boards.
Any one got any bright ideas? Any one run into this problem.
Another option is to replace the steps with aftermarket ones, but I kind of like the stock boards and they're in good shape other than the rusty brackets.
The 3 x steel brackets that mount the running boards to the body on each side have a LOT of surface rust. My plan was to remove them, and have them blasted and powdercoated - but I've run into a snag. I was able to remove the side steps OK - however, the allen key bolts that mount the brackets to the plastic side steps will not budge. And - I can't get enough leverage with an allen wrench. I've already rounded a couple the bolt holes off. I guess I could dremel a slot into them and try and remove them with a screw driver, but I'm not even sure that would work.
I could grind the heads off the bolts, but I'm not sure I'd be able to wind the remnants out of the threaded inserts in the boards
.Any one got any bright ideas? Any one run into this problem.
Another option is to replace the steps with aftermarket ones, but I kind of like the stock boards and they're in good shape other than the rusty brackets.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
From: Altoona, PA
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Cochrane, Alberta
I know this thread is old but did you ever get these bolt heads out ? I'm having the exact same issue......Had to grind the heads off and now have with the bolt in the plastic running boards that won't budge despite soaking with peneratrating oil for three days. Guessing I need to grind them flat, center punch, drill them out. Brackets are in getting powder coated so don't really want to buy new running boards and have nice newly powder coated brackets too. Any suggestions ? Thanks.