Replacing side steps

I'm trying to replace the side steps on my 1994 Defender 90 with running bars. I'm having trouble accessing the nuts to remove the steps. I've applied a lubricant but what I can access still has no give.
Has anyone else had the same issue?
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Mike

Impact wrench maybe on a low setting may rattle them loose .. but give then a day or 2 soaking in penetrating fluid first..

Heat is much under rated as a loosener.

Tighten them until the bolts shear off?

I don't think tightening them is an option as the top bolts have already started to shred. Unfortunately I don't have access to an impact wrench.

Statham88 said:

I don't think tightening them is an option as the top bolts have already started to shred. Unfortunately I don't have access to an impact wrench.

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Where abouts do you live as I'm currently using tapatalk and it doesn't show your location

I live near Crewe in Cheshire.

Which are causing the problem ? the pair which hold the vertical support of the step ? i.e they go through the support sill between the wheels ?

They are probably corroded to hell so you just need to shear them, I think mine (92 110 ) 4 steps all sheared. You could get some IRWIN gripper heads which will remove them or shear them 99 percent of the time,

Or grind off from the top ?

blue beasty said:

Heat is much under rated as a loosener.

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I have NEVER had heat work.... Is heat form small blow torch enough ? Or does it need to be oxy acetylene ? I ask as I tried heating my rear tow bracket bolts and they didn't come out. The garage chap hammered it with his torch until half the flaming cross member was glowing red and it just undid....

I have had success in the past applying heat from a blow torch ,if that fails it's usually angle grinder time space permitting

A well worth while addition to your tool box bud

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cht246-nut-splitter-set

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/5-piece-bolt-grip-set?da=1&TC=SRC-irwin%20bolt

I just bought a set of these from Ebay

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/p...C-irwin bolt

after assisting Wolfie and his stuck nuts, I plumped for the big set with 10 sockets of differing sizes, since buying it, Ive not had one bloody stuck nad!

Marmaduke said:

A well worth while addition to your tool box bud

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cht246-nut-splitter-set

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/5-piece-bolt-grip-set?da=1&TC=SRC-irwin bolt

Click to expand...

I've just purchased the set from Homebase but it doesn't have the size I need (13mm). Looks like I need to get the expansion pack online. However, the socket wrench I have doesn't fit the bolts anyway. Please can you advise which size wrench I need?
Thanks.

3/8" you can get an adaptor to change your 1/2" drive ratchet to a 3/8" drive, most tool places like Halfords sell them. I usually hammer mine on so don't be shy to give it some stick as there's not much difference between 13mm and 1/2" especially when it's started to get rounded off