An Overview Of How You Can Install Running Boards On Your Chevy Traverse SUV
Posted on: 4 January 2017
Running boards make it easier for you to get into and out of your vehicle. This is especially important if you have a physical ailment that hinders your ability to get into a full-size SUV or pickup truck. Installing running boards is a fairly simple project that most SUV owners can do themselves in a short amount of time. If you have a Chevy Traverse SUV, here is an overview of how you can install running boards to make getting in and out of the SUV easier.
You Will Need:
- Sockets (13mm & 17mm)
- Socket Extension
- Ratchet
- Box Wrenches (13mm, 17mm, and ¼")
- T-20 Torque Screw Bit
Assemble Running Board
The running board will come in separate pieces if you buy it new, and you'll have to assemble the pieces before you can mount the boards.
Take the metal step of the running board and turn it upside down on a table or flat surface. There are two channels on the underside of the step. Each running board will come with 8 M8 bolts and a set of 8 bolts with a nut and washer. All the bolts have a six-sided head. Slide a bolt with a washer, spring washer, and nut into the channel first, then slide two of the plain bolts into each channel, and then slide another bolt with a nut, washer, and spring washer into each channel. The threads of the bolts should be facing upward toward you. Do the same procedure for the passenger step.
Put on End Caps
Put the cap on the ends of the step. The caps are designed so they will only fit one way on the step. The ends caps have a groove in them that line up with the channels in each step. Slide the bolts with the nuts and washers into the grooves on the end caps and tighten them down with a 13mm box wrench. This will secure the end caps to the step. Repeat this procedure on the step for the passenger side of the SUV.
Install Bracket
There are three T-20 torque screws and one ¼" screw just inside the wheel well. The screws secure the wheel well liner to the inside of the wheel well. Remove the screws in the front and back wheel wells on both sides of the SUV.
There are two sets of holes under the door frame on each side of the SUV. Insert a M10 T-Bolt into each hole. Just above each set of holes for the M10 bolts on the side of the door frame is another hole. Place a M8 in-pull nut into this hole.
Place the bottom of the bracket over the M10 bolts and the side of the bracket up against the M8 in-pull nut. Take an M8 bolt with a washer and spring washer and insert the threaded end into the in-pull nut. Hand-tighten the bolt a little so the threads go into the nut. Place a M10 nut with a washer and spring washer on the threads of the bolts at the bottom of the bracket and tighten with a 17mm socket and socket extension. Repeat this process for the other three brackets. The brackets are interchangeable, so you don't have to worry about which one goes where.
Install Steps
There are two bolts on the side of each bracket. Loosen the bolts with a 17mm socket and wrench so you can adjust the bracket. This will allow you to raise and lower the bracket so you can get the step to the height you like it.
Set the steps on to the bracket with the channel side facing down. Make sure you put the loose bolts in the channels through the holes in the bracket. Place a M8 nut with a washer and spring washer on each bolt and hand-tighten them for now.
Align the holes on the plastic caps to the holes in the wheel wells. Screw the cap ends to the wheel well by replacing the T-20 and ¼" screws. Now tighten all the nuts and bolts throughout the assembly to finish.
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