How to take off the side steps

[3Hummer]

Anyone know how to take the sidesteps off, and are they hard to take off, and approximatly how long does it take to take them off. Also if you do know how please tell how to do it thanks! I just need to take em off to head out wheelin, has never gotten in my way before, but im heading out to a new spot where my buddy said i might wnat to take em off.

[tower]

If you have the 4 removable U-steps, just get under the side of the truck, pull the R clip out of the hand bolt (has black knob attached to it) and unscrew by hand, if possible. If frozen tight, use a right angle hex (Allen) wrench in the center of the knob to loosen it first. Once the knobs are removed, the steps then can slide forward or back to come off.

If you have the tube type steps, you will need 2 socket, box-end or adjustable wrenches. A combination of any 2 will work as long as they are the right size. These don't have the knobs or clips but nuts and bolts, which need to be loosened from one-another. Once removed, the steps are free.

Reverse either procedure to re-install.

[3Hummer]

Ok three questions, why do i need two of them? couldnt I just remove one bolt at a time. And is it a difficult process to do, im not a real handy man type person, but if its only screwing and unscrewing i could do it. And about how long does the whole process take?

[Matt19]

If you use a socket or a wrench, to losen a bolt, the nut on the other end will normally spin, therefore it will not loosen. In order to loosen it, you will have to use a wrench to stop it from spinning. Look under the truck and you'll see. Its easy, now finding the right size, (my old man has a lot of tools, but they are thrown around in a big tool box) you should have a nice set to find a socket and driver.

If you dont know what a socket and socket driver are, look em up online. But pretty much any tool set ($15) comes with mostly sockets and socketdrivers, and then wrenches of course with the occasional screwdriver.

Good luck, you can use two wrenches if they fit. make sure they fit!!!

"This is in reference to tubular assist steps, not the other one"

[tower]

Originally Posted by Matt19

If you use a socket or a wrench, to losen a bolt, the nut on the other end will normally spin, therefore it will not loosen. In order to loosen it, you will have to use a wrench to stop it from spinning. Look under the truck and you'll see. Its easy, now finding the right size, (my old man has a lot of tools, but they are thrown around in a big tool box) you should have a nice set to find a socket and driver.

If you dont know what a socket and socket driver are, look em up online. But pretty much any tool set ($15) comes with mostly sockets and socketdrivers, and then wrenches of course with the occasional screwdriver.

Good luck, you can use two wrenches if they fit. make sure they fit!!!

"This is in reference to tubular assist steps, not the other one"

Exactly.

The whole thing will take about 45 minutes if you have never done it before and are mechanically challenged. After you remove the first one, it gets easier with each repeated attempt. Down to about 10-15 minutes. If you need to do it on dirt, lay out a blanket or piece of carpet for yourself on which to lie.

[deserth3]

For the first time give yourself as much time as you need. At least a half hour per step. I can do it in about 10 minutes per step.

The back bolts don't have enough space to use a socket. When the bolts about half way out you'll run out of room.

I remove both botom bolts first and then go after the top bolts. This way I end up holding the bar as little as possible.

You also have to be careful to not damage the parking break cable on the rear drivers side

[3Hummer]

ok half hour per step is cool, just wanted to make sure it wasnt gonna take me like 4 hours. also, i planned on using two adjustable wrneches. and....... where exatly is this parking break cable so im sure to keep an eye out for that one. and what about getting the arms there mounted on off? if you could post any pics that would be greatly helpful. also a step for step guide would be nice. I really appreciate your guys' help usually i dont ask a lot of difficult questions with long answers, usually just short ones. but the few times i relaly need some help i extremly appreciate it

[Matt19]

I cant take pictures becasue its almost 11pm. But i recommend just putting on some old clothes, and get down and dirty. Just go take a look, its hard to know what everyone is telling you if you cant visualize the task at hand.

You say ur using adjustable wrench, well then you need 2 of them. All I can say is go look to see where they go. Good luck, me and my dad, (mostly my dad) put my steps on(took maybe 30minutes each), all i did was hold it up.

If you take off one side of the bar, the other side might bend, so either you use something to hold it up, or have someone hold it up (thats what I did)