Disco 4 (LR4) Side step replacement help please.

Daingerman · Aug 21, 2020

Hi there. Im a newbie so apologies if this has been answered before and if this is a dumb question

. The original sidesteps have rotted away on my 2013 D4. I bought after market ones on ebay that look identical. I was about to fit them this weekend but noticed that the pre installed bolts in the step are loose and turn by hand. How do you tighten up the nuts without the bolt turning as the top of the bolt is under the plastic material on the step? Thanks.

lynall · Aug 21, 2020

Search rivnut
Assuming it is a rivnut, get a bolt the correct thread, spin a nut onto the bolt then a washer, wind bolt several turns into the rivnut, hold bolt head and tighten the NUT only, when it goes tight the rivnut is now tight, remove bolt assy and fit steps.
Essental you grease the bolts before you fit them to stop them seizing up.

Daingerman · Aug 21, 2020

Hi Lynall. Its not a rivnut. There are 6 bolts sticking out of the underside of the new step. These are the bolts to connect the step to the new brackets fitted to the chassis. These bolts are loose and can turn by hand so are not welded on the top of the step . You also cant access the top of the bolt as its under the plastic step material which is not removeable.

I assume they are loose to allow some tolerance to fit onto the brackets. Perhaps there is some mechanism to stop them turning as they get tight but I cant see how to stop them turning as you start to tighten them.

NFIN06 · Aug 21, 2020

Steps are a nightmare. Replaced mind a few months ago. Ended up cutting bolts off and installed new brackets, the lot. Biggest pain is the plastic cover on the skirt. A lot videos on YouTube could guide you

lynall · Aug 22, 2020

Daingerman said:
Hi Lynall. Its not a rivnut. There are 6 bolts sticking out of the underside of the new step. These are the bolts to connect the step to the new brackets fitted to the chassis. These bolts are loose and can turn by hand so are not welded on the top of the step . You also cant access the top of the bolt as its under the plastic step material which is not removeable.

I assume they are loose to allow some tolerance to fit onto the brackets. Perhaps there is some mechanism to stop them turning as they get tight but I cant see how to stop them turning as you start to tighten them.

Sorry, in that case I have no idea!

Maybe get a piece of scrap metal with a hole in it and attempt to fit the step bolt through said hole and see what happens when you tighten the nut?

Disco 4 (LR4) Side step replacement help please.

Daingerman

New Member

lynall

Well-Known Member

Daingerman

New Member

NFIN06

Active Member

lynall

Well-Known Member

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