H2 Removable Side Steps - A Warning -

[Gadgets]

OK, so I have the "Removable U Steps" on my H2. The ones that look like the ones in the link below. Make your you remove them from time to time to ensure you can actually keep getting them off. Mine are seized on. On the October Fall Colors ride, Derek and myself tried to remove them because I came very close to clanking them off a rock. They were too tight. I have been spraying them with penetrating oil all week to have them loosened up for this weekend. I wanted to get them off and clean them, and the threaded knob up for the winter time. These suckers are completely seized on. After putting some serious effort behind the allen key to break the knob loose, it broke. It twisted the threaded shaft right off. I have been using a torch to try and loosen the "bolt" portion that is still stuck in the step itself but it is going to take forever to get it out. Then I still have to figure out how to deal with the remaining 3 steps still on the truck.



So, as a warning, keep removing the steps if you have them, so they stay removable!



http://www.ebay.ca/itm/120757461777#ht_500wt_1413

[Archngel]

Would be a good idea to grease them every now and then to keep water away and prevent rust to seize everything <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... >/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

[Gadgets]

update to the step situation. After taking a welding torch to the step today to heat it up (my propane torch just couldn't do it). We ended up welding a nut to the remaining lug to be able to turn it with a wrench. Turns out, it wasn't seized at all. Someone had used RED locktight on the threads! <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... ngHead.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':banghead:' /> Applying enough heat finally broke it free. So, I pretty much have no choice but to snap off the remaining bolts (knobs) to make them removable again. At least I know I can get the broken lugs out of the steps now. What a pain!